Battle lines are drawn. Your child is not giving up without a fight. As they dig in their heels, you feel pressured to stand your ground. Panic sets in, "If I lose this fight, he will never do anything I ask ever again!" You start to yell. Threaten. Punish. Anything to "show him who's boss." And yet, in the midst of all the chaos, … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Reduce Sibling Rivalry in Your Home
Your daughter crawls over and takes your son's toy car. He freaks out. Grabbing the car back from the baby. She starts to cry. You swoop in to intervene. Cradling her while you glare at your son, you say, "She's just a baby. She doesn't know better." Setting your daughter on the floor, you grab a few of his cars. Again he … [Read more...]
Where is your parenting village?
My parents live 5 hours away. My best friends live 30 minutes away. In two different directions. I'm a transplant to the area, so I still don't know the best playgrounds, the popular mommy-and-me groups or the sought-after babysitters. In other words, if I want support, I have to create my own parenting village. Do you even want a … [Read more...]
How to Respond to Your Child’s Negative Self-Talk
No parent wants to hear their child say, "I'm dumb" or "I'm stupid," or even worse, "No one loves me." Rather than panicking or minimizing their experience, use these tips to respond to your child's negative self-talk. "I'm so dumb," your child mumbles at the kitchen table. He bangs his fist on the table and growls. He's working on a … [Read more...]
Looking at parenting through a wide-angle lens
Remember those nights, shuffling around the nursery trying to calm the shrill cries of your newborn? Or, jingling skittles in a jar to encourage your child to actually make it to the potty chair this time? When you're going through these stages it feels like life is standing still. Like you will never make it through. Sometimes you need a … [Read more...]
One critical observation to avoid your child’s next tantrum.
You know running errands takes it's toll on the kids, but it had to be done. Now, it's that awkward hour when it's too early to eat dinner and too late for a snack. The kids are restless and irritable. Tension is in the air. Then it hits you -- the ice cream shop. You will pass it in a few minutes and the kids ALWAYS beg to stop. Always. … [Read more...]
3 Things About Child Development Every Parent Should Know
Did you sign up for those "Your baby is 17 weeks today" emails when your kids were born? They were great unless your child didn't line up with the recommended milestone. And what about now that your child is older? Do you ever wonder if they are on track? Or worry that they will be delayed forever? Ashely Soderlund, a child … [Read more...]
Setting Boundaries for your Attention-Seeking Child
It's Friday night. Your husband is out of town, so it's just you and the kids. Your suggestion to have a movie night is met with cheers and excitement. After the popcorn bowls are handed around, you start the show. Snuggling on the couch. Laughing through the funny parts, sniffling through the sad ones. The movie ends and you shuffle your … [Read more...]
What to do When Your Child Says, “I Hate You.”
"I hate you!" he yells as he slams the bedroom door. The words hang in the air as you stand there unable to move. Within seconds, your body is flooded with anger. You bang on the door yelling, "How dare you say that to me?!" And then a thought grips you. Maybe it's true. Maybe he really does hate you. How do you respond? If you've … [Read more...]
50 Simple Ways to Connect With Your Kids
Your family is busy. Sometimes, you get to the end of the day and you realize you really haven't even LOOKED at your kids. You've just shuffled them from breakfast, to the bus, to homework, to bed. And then, the guilt sets in. You know connection is important, but it's hard to fit it all in! Making meaningful connections with your kids … [Read more...]