When our kids are messing up or misbehaving, it’s so easy to slip into responses that are just the opposite of encouraging. Unlike praise, you can give encouragement any time at all, even when your child is failing, and that is often when they need it most. Continue Reading
The best questions to get kids to talk and open up about their life One great way to encourage children to open up is to make a habit of cherishing daily conversations with your child. Conversations build connection. When children feel connected to their parent, they are more likely to feel well and be cooperative. Why should… Continue Reading
The stronger your relationship with your child the more your child will feel well, secure and capable of facing daily challenges. Treating children with respect when setting limits is part of an effective parenting strategy. So is listening attentively and focusing on emotion coaching and problem solving instead of trying to win power struggles and impose consequences. Continue Reading
When my son was four, I took him on a day trip to sled and play in the snow. It was a beautiful cold yet sunny day. Up on a mountain, with the alps in the background we climbed up and sled down a hill some 25 times in a row. When I was a feeling… Continue Reading
After school meltdowns are quite common for children from preschool to middle school. Here is what you need to know to handle these after school meltdowns and help your child feel better again. Children can experience quite the emotional ups and downs while away from you. Maybe a classmate didn’t want to share a toy, an… Continue Reading
Inside: Understand the feelings behind aggressive behaviors and help your toddler manage big meltdowns and fits of anger. On a sunny, beautiful morning, Mariah was on the floor, in a pile of tears. Her little hands stretched wide reaching desperately for Jenny. More accurately, reaching for the apple and egg in Jenny’s hands. Because for… Continue Reading
Your son is on the floor, arms and legs flailing. Crying and screaming at the top of his lungs. He’s been like this for 10 minutes already. If you could read his mind in this moment, he might be thinking, “Mom! Please help me! I’m feeling so disappointed. I want to stop crying, but I… Continue Reading
Sometimes, our kids come to us with big problems. Big worries. Big confessions or difficult questions. In a perfect world, we would have all of the answers. We’d know exactly how to respond and we’d say it with the ideal inflection and corresponding body language. But, in reality, big topics often turn into disastrous conversations… Continue Reading
It was the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode. The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds, while visions of Ernie and Barbie flipped through their heads. The dad was snoring in front of the TV, with a half-constructed bicycle on… Continue Reading
How often do you use the word ‘don’t’ to stop unwanted behaviour in your children? Does it actually work? Most parents say it does not. When I first became aware of the little impact this word has, it threw me. I had no idea how often I was using it, and how often it left… Continue Reading