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...]
A Calm-Down Plan (For Parents)
A quick scroll through your Pinterest feed displays cool-down games, feeling-face posters, and jars of glitter floating gently through brightly-colored water. All with the goal of helping your kids calm down. This is a great goal. Kids need to learn how to manage their emotions and stay calm under pressure. But what about you? What … [Read more...]
To the exhausted parent: You’re not doing it wrong.
You close the door as hot tears stream down your face. Slumping to the floor, head in your hands, the scene replays in your mind. The power struggle. The yelling. The numerous attempts to interrupt the chaos with empathy and reasoning. Nothing worked. Where did things go wrong? What are you missing? Why is parenting so hard? You're … [Read more...]
Your Parenting. Redefined.
"I wish I was more like her," you say to the computer screen. "She's such a fun mom." Then, turning to your kids you announce, "Let's do a craft project!" An hour later, one child is in tears, two are arguing over a tube of glitter glue, and you are about to scream. So much for being a fun mom. Comparison and unrealistic expectations often … [Read more...]
How to help your anxious child: a guide for parents
The bedtime battles. The doctor's office meltdowns. The tears. Parenting a child with anxiety can be hard. You wish you could wave a magic wand and make all of their worries disappear. There is hope! Use these posts to help you parent your child through their worries, teach a variety of coping skills, and explore your own … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Holiday Stress Survival Guide for Parents
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Or so the song says. But you know better. You know that there are crowded malls. Burned cookies. And overwhelmed children. If you're feeling frustrated already, hang in there! It is possible to keep the joy in the season These posts will help you stay focused on what's important, plan ahead for … [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...]
I’ll be a good mom when…
It's mac 'n cheese again tonight. As you plop a scoop on each child's plate you hear that little voice inside, "Is this the best you can do?" Without knowing it, you add another heavy brick to your backpack of shame. This one's labeled: "good moms don't serve mac 'n cheese." The growing weight of the backpack is uncomfortable, but you … [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...]
The Myth of Finding Balance in Parenting
Balance. Such a nice peaceful word. Images of perfectly balanced scales or beautiful ballerinas en pointe come to mind. Balance is not a word that describes my life. My images are more like forgotten permission slips and dirty dishes in the sink. To parents, maybe mom's especially, balance is a word that brings more stress … [Read more...]