Grab a cup of coffee, let’s chat. Listen, there are a million (billion, trillion?) parenting articles and books out there. Some are fantastic, while others pile on the guilt and flame your anxiety. It's easy to get caught up in the "Should's" and "Should not's" of parenting. But here's the bottom line: You are the expert on your child. … [Read more...]
Supporting Your Child Through Separation Anxiety
All you want to do is run to the store. Alone. Please!? Unfortunately, your 18-month-old has other plans. Scrambling to break free of her dad's embrace, desperate to stay with you. Years later, you're confronted with the same behavior. Only now, your child is 6 and hanging on for dear life as the school bus rumbles down the … [Read more...]
Finding Clarity When You’re Baffled By Your Child’s Behavior
Oatmeal. That’s what started it. You added raisins instead of blueberries and she was off like a rocket. All attempts to diffuse the meltdown were useless. It’s calm now (though you feel like you were run over by a truck). Taking some deep breaths you wonder… What just happened here? Feeling Stuck Unfortunately, this was only one … [Read more...]
Empathy didn’t work. What do I do now?
"You seem pretty upset about my decision.” His eyes glare at you. Moving in to provide comfort, he swats you away yelling, “leave me alone!” You’re confused, hurt, and getting more upset by the minute. We’re told that empathy is the best response. The “magic bullet” of parenting techniques. Well...it’s not working. So, … [Read more...]
9 Parenting Truths That Apply To All Children
Parenting advice can get a little murky. If you Google your specific parenting problem, there’s a chance that you’ll find more than one answer. And, there’s a good chance that those answers will slightly (or completely) contradict. Instead of zooming in and searching for the “one” right solution. Let’s look at parenting from a more general … [Read more...]
Crazy mornings with kids? How to get out the door on time
Mornings with kids can be stressful. It seems like nothing will make them move faster or get out of bed without a fight, so you start every day with yelling, bribing, threatening and feeling constantly rushed. These tips will help you bring peace to your morning routine - and still get out the door on time! Balancing three lunch boxes, a purse, … [Read more...]
How to Reduce Sibling Rivalry: A Parent’s Guide
They are the best of friends and the worst of enemies...they are siblings. Managing sibling rivalry can feel like a full-time job! Here are some helpful tips for managing sibling jealousy, sharing, competition among siblings and much more. You're starting to wonder if it's possible to have a car ride without an argument in the … [Read more...]
My child won’t stop talking! How to parent a “mature” 3-year-old
Parenting a highly verbal, intelligent 3-year-old or 4-year-old can be challenging. Some days it seems like your child won't stop talking - the questions are endless and the commentary is ongoing. Plus, even though they seem older, they still act very immature. Here are 6 tips to help you parent well through the ups and downs of this stage. … [Read more...]
How to respond when your child prefers one parent
It's heartbreaking when your child pulls away from you and reaches for another caregiver. Thankfully, there are things you can do to survive this difficult stage. Here are some tips to use when your child prefers one parent over the other (BONUS: suggestions for the "preferred"...and the "non-preferred" parent!) “No! I want daddy to … [Read more...]
Why your child uses bad words (and how to stop it)
Maybe, at first, you laugh out loud because it caught you off guard. Or maybe, you're shocked because you don't use that kind of language in your home and you want it to stop immediately! Whatever the reason, if you're tired of hearing potty talk, inappropriate language, swearing, or unwanted phrases from your kids this list will help you explore … [Read more...]