I was so upset. I didn't have a choice. The decision was made and it caught me off guard. Suddenly I was in fight-or-filght mode. I was angry! I texted a friend about the situation: "I didn't even have a say! This was decided for me...no one even asked how I felt about it!" She had nothing to do with it, but started trying to fix it, … [Read more...]
A simple visualization that will dramatically change the way you respond to your kids
It's a lazy Saturday. One of those rare weekends when you have nothing planned. Your kids have been parked in front of the TV all morning. It's a beautiful day, so you innocently announce, "Alright, guys! Time to turn the TV off and go outside!" Suddenly, they snap out of their zombie-like state and fire back at you: "WHAT!? … [Read more...]
Moms share their secrets to a successful summer break
School's out for summer! Which means summer break is here. (If it's not, it will be here soon.) Have you started panicking yet? Or are you organized and calm, ready to embrace the chaos? As a work-from-home mom, my days are about to get complicated. So, I turned to you - the parents on my Facebook Page for advice! Here's how some of … [Read more...]
Finding a glimmer of hope when your child struggles with self-regulation
I was digging through a random junk drawer when I finally found them. The colored pens I use to keep my schedule organized. I had been looking for them for days. I mentioned this casually to my kids, “Huh. Did you guys know these pens were in here?” My daughter responds defensively, “I didn’t do it!” I wasn’t really upset, so I brushed … [Read more...]
Why your kids need you to step-up (but it’s not what you think)
Battle lines are drawn. Your child is not giving up without a fight. As they dig in their heels, you feel pressured to stand your ground. Panic sets in, "If I lose this fight, he will never do anything I ask ever again!" You start to yell. Threaten. Punish. Anything to "show him who's boss." And yet, in the midst of all the chaos, … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Reduce Sibling Rivalry in Your Home
Your daughter crawls over and takes your son's toy car. He freaks out. Grabbing the car back from the baby. She starts to cry. You swoop in to intervene. Cradling her while you glare at your son, you say, "She's just a baby. She doesn't know better." Setting your daughter on the floor, you grab a few of his cars. Again he … [Read more...]
Where is your parenting village?
My parents live 5 hours away. My best friends live 30 minutes away. In two different directions. I'm a transplant to the area, so I still don't know the best playgrounds, the popular mommy-and-me groups or the sought-after babysitters. In other words, if I want support, I have to create my own parenting village. Do you even want a … [Read more...]
How to Respond to Your Child’s Negative Self-Talk
No parent wants to hear their child say, "I'm dumb" or "I'm stupid," or even worse, "No one loves me." Rather than panicking or minimizing their experience, use these tips to respond to your child's negative self-talk. "I'm so dumb," your child mumbles at the kitchen table. He bangs his fist on the table and growls. He's working on a … [Read more...]
Looking at parenting through a wide-angle lens
Remember those nights, shuffling around the nursery trying to calm the shrill cries of your newborn? Or, jingling skittles in a jar to encourage your child to actually make it to the potty chair this time? When you're going through these stages it feels like life is standing still. Like you will never make it through. Sometimes you need a … [Read more...]
One critical observation to avoid your child’s next tantrum.
You know running errands takes it's toll on the kids, but it had to be done. Now, it's that awkward hour when it's too early to eat dinner and too late for a snack. The kids are restless and irritable. Tension is in the air. Then it hits you -- the ice cream shop. You will pass it in a few minutes and the kids ALWAYS beg to stop. Always. … [Read more...]