Tired of always yelling at your kids? Feel like you are calm one moment and then angry the next? Your first thought may be..." if only they would just listen the first time, I wouldn't have to yell!" or "If he would just stop hitting his sister, I wouldn't have to get so angry!" There are tons of techniques that may help your child act … [Read more...]
Is Your Child Stressed?
It's hard to imagine a 4-year-old feeling stressed. Why would they experience anything other than pure happiness - playing all day, snacks, nap-time!? Sounds like a great life. But think of all the challenges in your child's daily routine. They are constantly learning - socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. And with learning … [Read more...]
Anxiety: Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
Anxiety is a master at making us run away from our fears. It's like the wrong side of a magnet, the closer we get, the more we try to push away. It's no surprise, really. No one wants to feel uncomfortable. We don't want to sweat or panic or forget our lines or fail. It's way easier to hide behind feelings of worry, fear and … [Read more...]
10 Things That Impact Your Parenting (That Have Nothing to do With Your Kids)
When we're feeling good, we can usually handle minor bumps in our day without much trouble. Someone spills a glass of milk and we respond by saying, "Oops, let's get that cleaned up" instead of yelling, "Why can't you be more careful!?" Unfortunately, we don't often sit back and think, "Wow, I'm having a great day. Let me … [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...]
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...]
How to Cope When the Holidays are Not Merry & Bright
While the whole world seems to be ringing bells and singing, you are struggling. The holidays are a season of faking a smile and pretending that everything is ok. Things are definitely not ok, but these are things you don't talk about at the company holiday party. Like how the fighting with your spouse is getting to be too … [Read more...]
The Importance of Slowing Down (even if you have to force yourself)
It's summer! Most of us wait all year for the lazy days of summer. Time to relax by the pool. Take a vacation. Or sit in a hammock. Instead, many parents spend their time shuttling their kids to and from soccer camp. Feeling obligated to create fun activities for their "bored" children. Or regretting the family vacation due to the number of … [Read more...]
Lifting the Burden: “I Feel Like a Parenting Failure”
Maggie is 3 years old and has quite a temper. If she doesn't get what she wants, there is screaming, tears and fists pounding on the floor. Her parents mean well. They try to give her what she wants to ease the tantrums. But sometimes even giving in doesn't work. Instead, mom loses her temper and yells, "Enough! Stop crying! Calm down!" … [Read more...]
The Power of a Story: Helping Your Child Overcome Fears
Children who struggle with worry or anxiety often have a negative "worry script" playing in their head. Help your children overcome fears by creating a new positive script! Jordan shuffled slowly to the front of the classroom. His shoulders were hunched, his stomach was in knots and his palms were sweaty. On his way to the … [Read more...]