As soon as you say "no," the waterworks begin. "But mom!" your son says, dramatically flailing himself on the floor. After a few seconds, the drama turns ugly. Now he's pounding his fists on the tile and screaming wildly. It's just too much to bear. "Fine. Here's one more. That's it." you say, fuming. He sits up, … [Read more...]
To the exhausted parent: You’re not doing it wrong.
You close the door as hot tears stream down your face. Slumping to the floor, head in your hands, the scene replays in your mind. The power struggle. The yelling. The numerous attempts to interrupt the chaos with empathy and reasoning. Nothing worked. Where did things go wrong? What are you missing? Why is parenting so hard? You're … [Read more...]
How to help your anxious child: a guide for parents
The bedtime battles. The doctor's office meltdowns. The tears. Parenting a child with anxiety can be hard. You wish you could wave a magic wand and make all of their worries disappear. There is hope! Use these posts to help you parent your child through their worries, teach a variety of coping skills, and explore your own … [Read more...]
Bad Attitude in Your House? Use This Game to Turn The Mood Around
The exaggerated eye-rolling is becoming a bad habit. For the most part, your kids are respectful, helpful, and get along (fairly) well. But now, it seems like a bad attitude is taking over. Rude comments are made, chores aren't getting done, and no one seems to care! How do you get you encourage respect? One option would be to put more … [Read more...]
The Day I Forgot How to Parent (And the Two Words that Brought Me Back)
Our words went back and forth like ping-pong balls. She said something rude. I replied with the same snippy tone. She tried to hit me and kick me. I just moved away and tried to ignore her. This is not how I usually parent. Somewhere along the line, I slipped back into the world of punishment, threats, and isolation. Positive … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Holiday Stress Survival Guide for Parents
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Or so the song says. But you know better. You know that there are crowded malls. Burned cookies. And overwhelmed children. If you're feeling frustrated already, hang in there! It is possible to keep the joy in the season These posts will help you stay focused on what's important, plan ahead for … [Read more...]
Beyond “Settle Down”: Coping Skills for your Angry Child
It's been a walking-on-eggshells kind of day. "That's my decision," you say cautiously. "No more snacks before bed." You pause, waiting. And, just as expected, your child flies into a fit of rage. "That's not fair!" He yells, slamming his fist on the table. "I'm still hungry!" The yelling doesn't stop. "Settle down!" You yell … [Read more...]
Don’t Waste Another Consequence: Discipline Tips that Work
The goody bag is bulging with toys and candy. Your youngest child beams with pride as she displays her loot and gives you a minute-by-minute recap of the "My Little Pony" themed birthday party she just attended. Out of the blue, your son snatches the goody bag and says, "That party was for babies." "It was not!" your daughter defends, … [Read more...]
3 words that will change how you connect with your kids.
I have three kids. A part time job. And a house that refuses to stay clean for more than a minute. There's barely enough time in the day to get the basics done, let alone anything else. And, in the midst of all the chaos, my kids are longing to feel connected to me. They are begging to be seen, noticed, and really understood. I want to … [Read more...]
What to do when your child refuses timeout
You gave him a warning. If he threw the crayons on the floor again, he would be in timeout. And...he did it anyway. So, into timeout he goes. Or, at least that's what should happen. Instead, you find yourself in a wrestling match. Grabbing him out of the chair, trying to drag him to the timeout area. He's not going without a fight. … [Read more...]