Parents hear a lot about finding "teachable moments" in their day. Opportunities to teach their kids right from wrong or to point out a valuable lesson. Unfortunately, finding teachable moments doesn't always come naturally. Most parents clump their family's values and important lessons into lengthy lectures given at the height of anger or … [Read more...]
How to stop having power struggles with your 3-year-old
It's exhausting going back and forth with your kids about everything from getting in the car seat to eating their veggies. This tip will help you explore your options and decrease the power struggles with your 3-year-old (and kids of any age!) Setting the plate in front of him, you cringe. You know what's going to happen. It happens every … [Read more...]
Sometimes, I don’t want to spend time with my kids
Positive parenting focuses a lot on the importance of connection. It's a pattern of behavior that lays the foundation for good interactions and a strong relationship for the long-term. Blah, blah, blah. You know that spending time with your kids is important. You know that you should be having quality time together each … [Read more...]
How to Manage Toddler Tantrums
The car seat never used to be a problem. You'd plop your infant into the seat, and away you'd go. Suddenly, going anywhere in the car means that you'll first have to endure an epic toddler tantrum. What happened? Where did your sweet little baby go? Toddler tantrums can start much earlier than parents expect. It seems that as … [Read more...]
Connect with Your Kids through (Imperfect) Play
Playing with your kids doesn't have to be a chore. If you're struggling to connecting with your kids through play, here are some fantastic alternatives! Thanks to Janine from Encourage Play for these suggestions. As parents, we know we should play with our kids but we sometimes struggle with how to do that. We want to connect … [Read more...]
Guidelines for Imperfect Parenting
There is no such thing as a perfect parent, though many of us strive for this goal! Instead of feeling like a failure, embrace your parenting imperfections! Thanks to Encourage Play for allowing me to guest post! We are parents, not robots. We have feelings, just like everyone else. We have good days and bad days. Your kids don't need a … [Read more...]
7 Simple Parenting Hacks That Are Surprisingly Effective
Parenting advice can get pretty overwhelming. So, today, we're going to take it easy. Instead of making life more complicated, let's simplify things using these parenting tips. (Bonus: They really work!) 7 Simple Parenting Hacks 1. Timers: Many kids respond better to an alarm than a parent's voice. Timers are great for setting … [Read more...]
Your Child Wants You
I know it seems like your child only cares about toys and video games. But the longer I work with children and families, the more I have come to realize this truth: what your child wants more than anything else is you. Learn more about this important relationship building strategy in my post on Positive Parenting Connection. … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Your Kids Don’t Talk To You
"I try to talk to him, but he just grunts a one-word reply." "I never know what's going on in school, my kids never say anything more than, 'fine' or 'ok.'" So frustrating, right? You make the effort and are met with silence. Unfortunately, we can't change our kids, but we can change the way we interact with them. Take a … [Read more...]
The Absolute Best Way to Respond when Your Child’s Acting Out
To say that it's been a long day would be putting it mildly. The power-struggles have been endless. The whining has been constant. And, of course, there was the "I'm-not-leaving-the-store-without-a-toy" meltdown in aisle 9. No matter what you do, it seems that your child's main goal is to make your day miserable. And it's … [Read more...]