Slow down parents...before you look for the perfect consequence for your child's behavior, check this list. There are lots of things that cause kids to act the way they do. And, a lot of these things have nothing to do with your parenting skills. Meeting these needs will help you manage their behavior. Win-win. Years ago, I had the privilege … [Read more...]
When you keep yelling at your kids (but really want to stop)
"Get in bed! NOW!" you scream at the top of your lungs. Any intention of staying calm went right out the window. Along with any amount of patience or rational thinking. Your kids scramble into their beds and you finally have a chance to breathe. It doesn't take long for the guilt to sink in..."There I go again! Yelling! Why can't I just hold … [Read more...]
What to do when your kids refuse to be comforted
The scene plays out in slow motion. You watch helplessly as your daughter trips on a laundry basket and launches her freshly-glued art creation across the room. Hours of hard work lay scattered on the floor. She is devastated. Coming to the rescue you attempt to scoop her into a big supportive hug. "Get away from me!" she … [Read more...]
A simple phrase to eliminate tattling.
"Mom! Sam won't turn off the water in the bathroom!" "Mom! Sarah took my iPod without asking...and now she won't give it back!" "Mom, Mom, MOM!" Like nails on a chalkboard, most parents have come to dread the sound of a child tattling. It seems so needy, so desperate. Why can't they just work it out on their own? Because it is. And … [Read more...]
What anxious and angry kids need to know about their brain
"Settle down," you say above the screaming. It sounds more like a threat than a caring suggestion. "I don't know how!" your child jeers back. You shake your head, sighing. How many times do you need to remind her to take a deep breath when she's upset? Obviously, something's missing here. Big Feelings. Big Confusion. Big feelings like … [Read more...]
The real reason you give your kids so many reminders.
Hello, I'm Nicole and I'm a repeater. Here's a classic example... It's a typical hectic Monday morning. Everyone is moving slow. I glance at the clock and compare the time to the number of things still left to accomplish. Then it begins. The repeating. "Don't forget your homework." "Did you put your homework in your bag?" "Is your … [Read more...]
Aggressive Kids: Positive Discipline for Amazing Results
Learn how shame impacts the behavior of aggressive kids. These positive parenting tips will help you get to the root of the problem and begin to free your child from negative self-talk, anger, and acting out. The meticulously created Lego creation smashes against the wall and shatters into a hundred pieces. "That's enough!" You yell, … [Read more...]
The most important first step in any “how to” parenting post
A few weeks ago I broke the garbage disposal. On a whim, I checked YouTube. Yep, there was a video titled, "How to fix your garbage disposal." I followed the steps and it was working again in no time. As parents, we are guilty of googling and searching YouTube for a lot more than home repairs. We search for everything...how to potty train, … [Read more...]
3 Tips to Help Kids Cope with Anxiety (Storms, Darkness and Spiders – Oh My!)
I'm thrilled to welcome Janine Halloran back for this guest post. If your child struggles with anxiety, stress, or anger, you need to check out her new workbook: Coping Skills for Kids, which includes 75 strategies and ideas to try at home. It's close to midnight when the storms that have been threatening all day finally arrive. The rain … [Read more...]
Does My Child or Teen Need Therapy?
Red, scratchy throat. Strep test. Squinting at the chalkboard. Time for glasses! Obsessive worry about spiders. Angry outbursts at the drop of a hat. Constant arguing with teachers. Umm... Many parents have a “feeling” that their child is struggling but don’t know how to help. Instead of hoping that things blow over or brushing it … [Read more...]