If you've ever been the guest of honor at a surprise party you can relate to mixed-emotions. The flood of feelings can be overwhelming...surprise, joy, excitement, maybe shy because you didn't expect it or even a little upset that your friend didn't tell you. As adults, we understand that mixed-up feelings are part of a surprise party. In … [Read more...]
Love Past the Behavior
Your kids are curled up on the couch reading their new library books. No one is bickering. The silence is amazing. Your heart fills with love as you admire their sweet, innocent faces. Fast forward ten minutes. A fight breaks out over who has more of the blanket. You rush into the room, trying to help them make peace, but instead, your … [Read more...]
9 Tips for Surviving the “Witching Hour”
The "Witching Hour." Also known as the perfect storm that occurs around 5:00 each afternoon. You're trying to get dinner on the table, the kids are fighting, the baby is begging to be held, tensions are high. Some days I'm not sure I can survive it. Can you? 9 Tips for Surviving the Witching Hour 1. Eat Something: Yes, I know you don't want … [Read more...]
Why I Hate Santa
My 1st grader burst into the door with exciting news: "Mom, I have to be good, Santa's watching me!" While most parents would leap for joy at that statement, I cringed. Santa's not watching you," I mumbled under my breath. Trying not to crush her spirit – or her enthusiasm for being good – I forced a smile. Suddenly, it all came back to … [Read more...]
Teaching Your Impulsive Child to “Pause”
All kids are impulsive. They hit, bite, kick and yell without thinking through the consequences. They feel a feeling and act on it. We can blow this off as "kids will be kids" or send them to the corner until they "learn their lesson." Or, we can introduce our kids to the PAUSE. Your Child's Brain Research shows that your child's brain is … [Read more...]
How to stop tantrums according to brain research
Use the latest brain research to help your child stay calm and manage their big feelings without a huge meltdown. Learn how to stop tantrums - even if they've already started - with this 2-step approach! We're leaving the zoo. The car is parked at the far end of the lot. It's going to be a trek and my 3 kids are already tired. My … [Read more...]
Teaching Your Child to Respectfully Disagree
"This is so unfair!" Your daughter screams. Feeling frustrated, you respond, "Life's not fair, get used to it." She runs to her room and slams the door. Leaving yet another disagreement unresolved. Not to mention, everyone is feeling tense and disconnected. You encourage your kids to be independent, critical thinkers. You want them to … [Read more...]
Why Isn’t This Working? Encouragement for Exhausted Parents
"We tried ___, it didn't work." Sometimes the blank is filled with a particular parenting method, other times it is filled with a laundry list of strategies. As a therapist and parent coach, this is one of the most common phrases I hear from exhausted parents. But, as a parent myself, I can relate to the frustrations of trying a … [Read more...]
Is Your Child Stressed?
It's hard to imagine a 4-year-old feeling stressed. Why would they experience anything other than pure happiness - playing all day, snacks, nap-time!? Sounds like a great life. But think of all the challenges in your child's daily routine. They are constantly learning - socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. And with learning … [Read more...]
How to empower your kids when they struggle
I don't know about you, but I spend an exhausting amount of time making sure life goes smoothly for my children. I wouldn't call myself a "helicopter parent" necessarily, but I feel better knowing that my kids are more-or-less heading in the right direction. I can hear it in my warnings: "Be careful!" "Slow down, you might … [Read more...]