The goody bag is bulging with toys and candy. Your youngest child beams with pride as she displays her loot and gives you a minute-by-minute recap of the "My Little Pony" themed birthday party she just attended. Out of the blue, your son snatches the goody bag and says, "That party was for babies." "It was not!" your daughter defends, … [Read more...]
3 words that will change how you connect with your kids.
I have three kids. A part time job. And a house that refuses to stay clean for more than a minute. There's barely enough time in the day to get the basics done, let alone anything else. And, in the midst of all the chaos, my kids are longing to feel connected to me. They are begging to be seen, noticed, and really understood. I want to … [Read more...]
What to do when your child refuses timeout
You gave him a warning. If he threw the crayons on the floor again, he would be in timeout. And...he did it anyway. So, into timeout he goes. Or, at least that's what should happen. Instead, you find yourself in a wrestling match. Grabbing him out of the chair, trying to drag him to the timeout area. He's not going without a fight. … [Read more...]
How to Support Your Child (Even When You’re Disappointed)
As parents, we want great things for our kids. Sometimes, we feel disappointed when they struggle with a sport or lack interest in something we enjoyed as a child. Kate Early, a Licensed Professional Counselor, shares some tips for managing our feelings and supporting our kids. I'll be honest, here...sometimes I'm disappointed in my … [Read more...]
Art Journaling with kids
Sometimes talking with our kids is like pulling teeth. It's not always easy for kids to put their thoughts and feelings into words. Art is a fantastic tool for connecting and communicating with our kids! Amy Maricle of Mindful Art Studio is back to help you use art journaling with your kids. Why Art Journal with Kids? Art journaling is fun … [Read more...]
Positive Parenting for Imperfect Families
It"s 8:30 on a school night. My daughter is supposed to be getting ready for bed. Instead, she's refusing to hand over the iPad, demanding "5 more minutes." I'm trying hard not to yell, but I can feel my blood pressure rising. I scan the stack of half-read parenting books on the shelf and wonder if any of them include the … [Read more...]
The teachable moment you might be missing
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...]
Why Flexibility is More Important than Consistency in Parenting
For many years parents have been told to be consistent. To follow through with the consequences we set. Not to back down when we've set a limit. This is a good strategy in theory, but it also binds us as parents. We make an impulsive decision to take away TV for a week, then feel stuck when we realize that there is no way to enforce … [Read more...]
How to persevere through parenting challenges
I sat in the room with my daughter as she screamed. She was WAY overtired and beyond comforting. I scanned my brain for any tidbit of parenting advice that I'd forgotten. Any other way to get through to her in that moment. Only one word came to mind: Persevere. Really? Persevere is not my favorite word, and I bet you don't … [Read more...]
How to Respond When Your Child is Disrespectful
The playdate is over. It is time to head home. You gave a 5-minute warning. You expect everything to go well. Suddenly, it happens. Your child responds disrespectfully. "No! I don't want to go! You never let me do anything fun!" You feel the anger rising inside you. You yell back, "How dare you talk to me like that!" He … [Read more...]