"I'm a failure." "I can't do it perfectly." "I'm ruining my kids." "I can't stop worrying." "What if..." "Why can't I be more like..." Why can't my kids be more like..." The messages that replay in the mind of a mom are anything but positive. And in a thankless job like motherhood, compliments from others are often few and far … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Tired Moms
I know you've been there. The days when you can hardly open your eyes because you are so tired. You shuffle through the morning routine, get your children out the door for school, and then dream of climbing back into bed. It's the days when getting enough sleep is pretty much impossible because there is so much that needs to be done - … [Read more...]
Beyond “Take a Deep Breath”: Helping Your Anxious Child Practice Calming Strategies at Home
Your son is worried again. He doesn't want to go to school tomorrow. He says he thinks he's getting sick. You've been here before. You feel helpless and overwhelmed, not sure how to help your anxious child. You encourage him to "take a deep breath," but he refuses, saying "it doesn't help!" Going Beyond "Take a Deep Breath" Deep … [Read more...]
How to Teach Your Child to Take a Deep Breath
If you have a child who struggles with anxiety, anger or impatience, you are probably very familiar with the phrases: "calm down" and "take a deep breath." Even though you're not convinced that those phrases really work, you continue to say them because you don't know what else to say. Deep breaths are a very valuable skill, unfortunately, … [Read more...]
How to Set (and Achieve!) Your Parenting Goals
This year I'm going to be patient with my kids. And I'm not going to yell. Oh, and no more chicken nuggets. You smile. Feeling proud of your new parenting goals. Until you turn around and your toddler is pouring ketchup on the floor. And the dog is leaving a trail of ketchup footprints all over the house. Patience? (Nope!) Yelling? (Yep!) … [Read more...]
Holiday Stress Survival Guide Tip #3: Manage Post-Gift Letdown
There's a mound of wrapping paper in the middle of the floor. Boxes and ribbons are scattered around the room. Your kids are happily enjoying their new toys. Or maybe not... Maybe your 17-year-old is pouting because she didn't get the designer handbag she wanted. Maybe 15 minutes later, your son is complaining that he is … [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...]
Holiday Stress Survival Guide Tip #2: Set Reasonable Expectations
It seems that no other time of year holds more unmet expectations than Christmas. Your kids have super-high expectations. Gift lists a mile long. Dreams of stockings bursting with toys on Christmas morning. But you probably have super-high expectations too. You expect that you can decorate the house like a professional. … [Read more...]
Holiday Stress Survival Guide Tip #1: Breathe
Thanksgiving is over. Christmas is fast approaching. Some of you cheerfully blast the Christmas music and make 15 different types of cookies while stringing lights on the tree and serving hot cocoa to neighborhood children. Or maybe you feel like a giant piano has landed on your chest. You can't move. You can't focus. You … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Help Your Anxious Child
Once again, your child is refusing to go to bed because there might be a spider in their room. You've checked every corner of the room – no spiders. You've reassured him that there probably won't be a spider. Finally, you run out of options and allow him to sleep in your bed, again. You want this cycle to change, but you are not sure … [Read more...]