Use the latest brain research to help your child stay calm and manage their big feelings without a huge meltdown. Learn how to stop tantrums - even if they've already started - with this 2-step approach! We're leaving the zoo. The car is parked at the far end of the lot. It's going to be a trek and my 3 kids are already tired. My … [Read more...]
Teaching Your Child to Respectfully Disagree
"This is so unfair!" Your daughter screams. Feeling frustrated, you respond, "Life's not fair, get used to it." She runs to her room and slams the door. Leaving yet another disagreement unresolved. Not to mention, everyone is feeling tense and disconnected. You encourage your kids to be independent, critical thinkers. You want them to … [Read more...]
Why Isn’t This Working? Encouragement for Exhausted Parents
"We tried ___, it didn't work." Sometimes the blank is filled with a particular parenting method, other times it is filled with a laundry list of strategies. As a therapist and parent coach, this is one of the most common phrases I hear from exhausted parents. But, as a parent myself, I can relate to the frustrations of trying a … [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...]
How to empower your kids when they struggle
I don't know about you, but I spend an exhausting amount of time making sure life goes smoothly for my children. I wouldn't call myself a "helicopter parent" necessarily, but I feel better knowing that my kids are more-or-less heading in the right direction. I can hear it in my warnings: "Be careful!" "Slow down, you might … [Read more...]
Do You React or Respond to Your Kids?
Imagine that your oldest kids are fighting...again. Or, your youngest just spilled his juice box on the floor. Or, your daughter is whining that life is "not fair." What's your knee-jerk reply? Are you a yeller? Do you criticize? Overreact? Maybe you ignore, walk away or throw up your hands in … [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...]
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...]
11 Mixed Messages Parents Send (And How to Stop)
Recently, I was struck by the number of mixed messages parents send to their kids. I believe that most of these are unintentional, and would probably go unnoticed unless someone pointed them out (in a blog post, maybe?). However, some of these are common sources of tension between parents and children, I hear about it from the families I … [Read more...]
7 Questions to Ask Your Kids Instead of “Why?”
You walk into your child's room. Toys are EVERYWHERE. Your son forgot the book he needs for his homework...again. Your daughter refuses to go to her school dance. After you bought the dress. A very normal response to these infuriating situations is to ask: "Why?!?!" "Why did you take out every single toy you own?" "Why did you forget your … [Read more...]