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...]
5 Questions to Help your Unique Child Thrive
Special thanks to April Finley for guest posting this week! Read more about her in the bio below. My diaper bag was packed according to the list I’d written before I’d given birth; it was well stocked with clean clothes, burp cloths, washcloths, pacifiers, receiving blankets, diapers, and any number of other things I wasn’t likely to need in … [Read more...]
9 Positive Parenting Alternatives to Time Outs & Grounding
The concept of positive parenting has many parents feeling baffled. There's no strict manual. No "if this, then that" list of appropriate consequences. Even parents who are on board with skipping time outs or grounding scratch their heads and ask, "What do I DO instead?" Positive parenting doesn't always call for us to "DO" … [Read more...]
3 Ways Movement and Mindfulness Can Reduce Stress in Kids
Thanks to, Michelle Paget, LCSW, RYT, for sharing three ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your family life! In the busy and over-scheduled world we live in, it is hard to find a moment to pause and just be. It’s the feeling we get when we arrive at our destination realizing we weren’t paying attention to how we got there or the stress … [Read more...]
It’s not your job to stop a tantrum, it’s your job not to have one
It happens in an instant. Your child is refusing to brush their teeth. Is begging for the newest video game. Or is picking on their sister (again). Then yelling begins -- complete with name calling, sarcasm, and eye-rolling. Except it's not your child. It's you. And you hate it. BONUS DOWNLOAD: 4 Steps to a Calm Response! You'd … [Read more...]
It’s not fair, and that’s ok. Supporting your children when a sibling is struggling.
The tantrum has been in full force for at least 20 minutes and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. While you're doing your best to manage the situation, you glance over and see two sets of wide eyes peering at you from across the room. You're torn. Obviously, the child who is screaming needs your attention. But what about … [Read more...]