Saying "calm down" when your child is crying or angry never works. Thankfully, there are ways you can support your upset child even when they are experiencing big feelings. Print these listening tips so you can reference them in the heat of the moment! The volcano has exploded. The floodgates are wide open. Your child is experiencing - and … [Read more...]
What to do when your child refuses to take a shower.
I’m not sure you saw the memo. I’m pretty sure it is delivered to all kids somewhere around age 9. Just in case you missed it, I’ll summarize: "Showers are bad. Stay dirty. Resist!" Yep. The child who could spend hours in the bathtub suddenly has a lack of affection for water. And it’s starting to stink. Addressing Shower … [Read more...]
How to teach ungrateful kids to be thankful after fun activities
Tired of hearing complaining and whining from your kids when you leave a fun activity? Whether it's Disney World or a trip to Target, these tips will ease the transition and help you teach ungrateful kids to appreciate the things you do as a family. It’s been a long day at the amusement park. Hot weather. Long lines. Way too much sugar. The … [Read more...]
Stop trying to find the “perfect” consequence
Years ago, I huddled around a kitchen table with two frazzled, exhausted parents and their three kids. The notebook page in front of us listed 20 undesirable behaviors on one side and corresponding consequences on the other. On a separate piece of paper, we created a range of rewards - small trinkets to large family outings. It was an … [Read more...]
Finding Clarity When You’re Baffled By Your Child’s Behavior
Oatmeal. That’s what started it. You added raisins instead of blueberries and she was off like a rocket. All attempts to diffuse the meltdown were useless. It’s calm now (though you feel like you were run over by a truck). Taking some deep breaths you wonder… What just happened here? Feeling Stuck Unfortunately, this was only one … [Read more...]
Empathy didn’t work. What do I do now?
"You seem pretty upset about my decision.” His eyes glare at you. Moving in to provide comfort, he swats you away yelling, “leave me alone!” You’re confused, hurt, and getting more upset by the minute. We’re told that empathy is the best response. The “magic bullet” of parenting techniques. Well...it’s not working. So, … [Read more...]
9 Parenting Truths That Apply To All Children
Parenting advice can get a little murky. If you Google your specific parenting problem, there’s a chance that you’ll find more than one answer. And, there’s a good chance that those answers will slightly (or completely) contradict. Instead of zooming in and searching for the “one” right solution. Let’s look at parenting from a more general … [Read more...]
How to Be a Confident Parent Without Yelling at Your Kids
What do the neighbors think? If they only knew the begging, pleading, and negotiating that goes on in your home. Maybe they'd understand why yelling is the ONLY way your kids do what you ask. You've tried being the "nice mom" who doesn't yell, and no matter how hard you tried, it never worked. The only way to get your kids' attention is by … [Read more...]
A simple visualization to help you stay calm and confident in stressful parenting situations
Glancing at the recipe, you gather ingredients, preheat the oven, and wrestle the correct pan out of the overcrowded cabinet. You’re getting a late start. Again. Without warning, a thundering roar fills the kitchen. Your kids barrel in, all talking at once, demanding that you hear “their side” of the story first. Talk about feeling … [Read more...]
What to do when your child knows better but does it anyway
The call from the school came out of the blue. Your child pushed someone at recess. The other kid went to the nurse. Your child went to the principal's office. Furious, you scan through a list of possible consequences. Apparently, everything you've tried to teach about kindness was useless. Or, was it? What to do when your kids know … [Read more...]