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...]
9 Communication Tips to End the Grunts, Groans, and Eye-Rolls from Your Kids
Do you ever feel like talking to your kids is harder than it has to be? You: "How was school?" Your Child: "Fine." You: "So, what did you do?" Your Child: "Nothing." You: "Come on, I know you did something." Your Child (rolling his eyes): "Come on Mom. Leave me alone." Ugh. Round and round you go, and it always ends the same … [Read more...]
How to Mend a Broken Relationship With Your Son or Daughter
You're arguing constantly and rarely talk anymore. You're not sure when things started drifting, but your relationship has definitely changed. Thankfully, you can still repair the relationship! These 7 tips will help you learn how to mend a broken relationship with your son or daughter, even if it seems impossible. I know it's bad, but I don't … [Read more...]
7 Questions to Ask Your Kids Instead of “Why?”
You walk into your child's room. Toys are EVERYWHERE. Your son forgot the book he needs for his homework...again. Your daughter refuses to go to her school dance. After you bought the dress. A very normal response to these infuriating situations is to ask: "Why?!?!" "Why did you take out every single toy you own?" "Why did you forget your … [Read more...]
My Favorite Parenting Posts from 2013
Happy new year! Welcome to 2014. If you have decided to make a resolution to change something about your parenting, here are a few posts to get you pointed in the right direction. Communication: Parents: Master the "10-second lecture" in 4 Easy Steps How to Talk with your Children About Difficult Topics 25 Simple (but Powerful) Parenting … [Read more...]
7 Alternatives to Using Time Out
Wondering what to do instead of timeouts? Here are 7 positive discipline alternatives to time out you can use starting today! You know all of the "rules" for a timeout. The chair, the timer, the number of minutes per age. It seems like you're constantly putting your child in time out, but nothing's changing. In fact, it seems to be getting … [Read more...]
Simplify Your Parenting: Focus on the Relationship
Lately, I've been feeling like parenting information has been swirling around me like a tornado. It's very easy to start doubting our decisions..."I'm using time-out, but some people don't, am I scarring my child for life?" Beating ourselves up when we feel that we've failed..."I just yelled at my kids, AGAIN! Why can't I just keep … [Read more...]
The key to making a good parenting decision
Your toddler is having a tantrum in the middle of Target. Or, maybe your tween is having a tantrum in the middle of Target. You look around. People are starting to stare, most are actually glaring. You feel judged. You feel like a horrible parent. In desperation, you plead with your child to calm down, but they just ramp … [Read more...]