The tantrum has been in full force for at least 20 minutes and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. While you're doing your best to manage the situation, you glance over and see two sets of wide eyes peering at you from across the room. You're torn. Obviously, the child who is screaming needs your attention. But what about … [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...]
Don’t Waste Another Consequence: Discipline Tips that Work
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...]
Just Tell Me What to Do: A Guide for Parents
Why do the meltdowns always happen at night? I'm exhausted. I'm off the clock. I'm done with this parenting gig for today. Don't my kids know that? All I want to do is stare mindlessly TV. And I'm not talking about Daniel Tiger or Ninjago. My child is screaming. I know I need to do something, but my mind is blank. I'm about to scream back, … [Read more...]
A Surprising Solution to Sibling Fighting
Your kids are fighting. Again. You can hear them in the living room arguing over the remote. Or the iPad. Or whatever. "Work it out guys!" you yell from the other room. The arguing continues. And in a matter of seconds, you hear screaming. They are obviously not working it out. In fact, it they never work it out. Will … [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...]
Changing the Definition of “Fair” in Your Family
In our house, fair doesn't mean "equal," fair means "getting what you need." My youngest daughter had access to a cell phone years before our older daughter. Despite the fact that this is potentially "unfair," there was no fighting, no sense of injustice, and no demand for equality. How was that possible? The phone - safeguards in place, … [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...]
Beyond “I’m Sorry:” Teach Your Child To Apologize
You heard the smack from the kitchen. Followed by wailing. Entering the room, you demand, "Tell your sister you're sorry." "Soorrry." It reeks with sarcasm. "Say 'sorry' like you mean it," you prompt again. "I'm not sorry!" he yells back. What?! How dare he say that. Teaching your child to apologize. You are probably all too … [Read more...]