As parents, we want great things for our kids. Sometimes, we feel disappointed when they struggle with a sport or lack interest in something we enjoyed as a child. Kate Early, a Licensed Professional Counselor, shares some tips for managing our feelings and supporting our kids. I'll be honest, here...sometimes I'm disappointed in my … [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...]
Art Journaling with kids
Sometimes talking with our kids is like pulling teeth. It's not always easy for kids to put their thoughts and feelings into words. Art is a fantastic tool for connecting and communicating with our kids! Amy Maricle of Mindful Art Studio is back to help you use art journaling with your kids. Why Art Journal with Kids? Art journaling is fun … [Read more...]
Positive Parenting for Imperfect Families
It"s 8:30 on a school night. My daughter is supposed to be getting ready for bed. Instead, she's refusing to hand over the iPad, demanding "5 more minutes." I'm trying hard not to yell, but I can feel my blood pressure rising. I scan the stack of half-read parenting books on the shelf and wonder if any of them include the … [Read more...]
The teachable moment you might be missing
Parents hear a lot about finding "teachable moments" in their day. Opportunities to teach their kids right from wrong or to point out a valuable lesson. Unfortunately, finding teachable moments doesn't always come naturally. Most parents clump their family's values and important lessons into lengthy lectures given at the height of anger or … [Read more...]
Why Flexibility is More Important than Consistency in Parenting
For many years parents have been told to be consistent. To follow through with the consequences we set. Not to back down when we've set a limit. This is a good strategy in theory, but it also binds us as parents. We make an impulsive decision to take away TV for a week, then feel stuck when we realize that there is no way to enforce … [Read more...]
How to persevere through parenting challenges
I sat in the room with my daughter as she screamed. She was WAY overtired and beyond comforting. I scanned my brain for any tidbit of parenting advice that I'd forgotten. Any other way to get through to her in that moment. Only one word came to mind: Persevere. Really? Persevere is not my favorite word, and I bet you don't … [Read more...]
How to Respond When Your Child is Disrespectful
The playdate is over. It is time to head home. You gave a 5-minute warning. You expect everything to go well. Suddenly, it happens. Your child responds disrespectfully. "No! I don't want to go! You never let me do anything fun!" You feel the anger rising inside you. You yell back, "How dare you talk to me like that!" He … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Your Kids Don’t Talk To You
"I try to talk to him, but he just grunts a one-word reply." "I never know what's going on in school, my kids never say anything more than, 'fine' or 'ok.'" So frustrating, right? You make the effort and are met with silence. Unfortunately, we can't change our kids, but we can change the way we interact with them. Take a … [Read more...]
The Absolute Best Way to Respond when Your Child’s Acting Out
To say that it's been a long day would be putting it mildly. The power-struggles have been endless. The whining has been constant. And, of course, there was the "I'm-not-leaving-the-store-without-a-toy" meltdown in aisle 9. No matter what you do, it seems that your child's main goal is to make your day miserable. And it's … [Read more...]