William had a horrible day at school. He comes in the door, slams his bag on the floor and starts to tell you what happened. "There's a new boy in my class...and the teacher sat him right next to me! The new boy took my pencil, he punched my arm like 100 times, and swore at another kid during math!" By now, you're getting an idea of how … [Read more...]
How to Create an After School Routine that Works for Your Child
It's a new school year, which means it's time to figure out your new after school routine! One often-overlooked time of day is the transition from school to home. Some children fly out the classroom door with smiles and cheers of "freedom!" Other children walk in the door of their home and explode like a volcano. And then there's … [Read more...]
Get your kids to listen using this simple tip
Do you feel like your kids never listen? They tune you out, ignore your requests, and respond disrespectfully? It's time to try something new. It may seem counter-productive, but it may be the key to getting a reply from your children. Instead of talking more...try talking less. Imagine being questioned, reminded and directed repeatedly … [Read more...]
How to Ask Simple Open Ended Questions Kids Really Want to Answer
This list of 45 open ended questions for kids will fill those awkward silences and eliminate one-word answers to keep your family talking! Car rides sure can be awkward. Your son is in the seat next to you, eyes glued to his phone. You try to make conversation... "So, your baseball game went well on Saturday." Silence. "Your team … [Read more...]
How to Talk With Your Children about Difficult Topics
Deciding to talk to kids about difficult topics can make even the most confident parent squirm. Bombings, kidnappings, divorce, death, growing up, financial uncertainty. The list goes on. In these moments, parenting becomes blurry and confusing. The parent who has so much to say about everything from eating healthy to good … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Tired Moms
I know you've been there. The days when you can hardly open your eyes because you are so tired. You shuffle through the morning routine, get your children out the door for school, and then dream of climbing back into bed. It's the days when getting enough sleep is pretty much impossible because there is so much that needs to be done - … [Read more...]
Does Your Child Struggle with Helplessness
You're cleaning up after the chaos of the morning routine when you notice a bright yellow piece of paper on the table. Your son's permission slip. He can't go on the field trip without it. Grabbing your keys, you freeze - second-guessing your next move. Wait. If I bring this to school, he'll never learn to be responsible. He will … [Read more...]
Your Child’s Friendship Drama: Do’s and Don’ts for Parents
Did you hear what Sophie said to Jenna about what Claire told Megan after school today? Or, did you hear that Hailey is not going to play with Gina because of what she told Lindsey about liking Patrick? No? Well, your daughter probably did. And, chances are, she's just as confused as you are. It's sad to say, but social … [Read more...]
How to Create A Parenting Mantra
It's Tuesday. You pick up the kids from school and receive the typical grunts and groans about their day. Once at home, they meander through the kitchen opening and closing cabinets, complaining about the lack of "good snacks" in the house. Then, the fighting begins. No one wants to share the remote. The arguing gets … [Read more...]
Say this, Not that: A Parent’s Guide
Are you tired of being ignored? Feeling frustrated that your kids respond to you with grunts and "I don't know?" Sometimes, the way we phrase things can make a big difference. It's not always easy to remember what to say or how to say it, especially when your child is in the middle of a meltdown. So, here's a quick reference … [Read more...]