Sometimes I wish I could prevent every failure my children will ever face. No parent wants to see their child down, upset, limp, defeated. In failure, even if we’d rather not go through it, are moments of learning. So I will not prevent my children from failing. The truth is I wouldn’t be able to… Continue Reading
This is a guest post by Olga Mecking I am a shy person and an introvert. I have three children one of which can be considered shy. If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are six tips, both from my own experience and from what I read on parenting a shy child: 1) … Continue Reading
A time out may stop a child from spitting or hitting. The threat of “no TV” may get a child to pick up his clothing from the floor. But…can consequences help children learn what to do instead of spitting or hitting? Will the continuous use of punitive consequences motivate children to be less messy, noisy,… Continue Reading
Parents don’t need to wait for children to come to them for touches, hugs, whole-body-scoops and kisses. Being regularly physically affectionate with kids of all ages actually helps maintain the emotional connection they share with their parents. When that bond remains strong, challenging behavioral situations decrease and discipline becomes less intense overall. Continue Reading
Fostering peaceful and lasting childhood memories. Written by Rachel When you think back to your childhood, what do you remember most? Is it the good times or the bad. The times that you went on vacation or just the simple times at home? Making memories with your children does not have to be complex. However… Continue Reading
The importance of play doesn’t end there. Yes it’s enjoyable for them and yes play is important in child development but play also provides parents with a door to connect with their child on a deep level. I always love to say that I am hands on, this I feel sums up the play connection I am referring to. Engaging and being present in play is a hands-on way to establish a deep connection and strengthen a healthy relationship with your child. Continue Reading
why do so many people in charge of caring for and motivating children continue to use reward charts? Some things are inherently motivating to children, like loving attention, food, approval, affectionate touch, smiles and eye contact. However, these are precisely the things we should avoid using as rewards and punishments with our children if we want to show them our love is unconditional. Continue Reading
It takes a lot more finesse and attention to help create safety in the exploration than it does to simply shut it down. Making mistakes with livable consequences are great ways to learn. The bummer about shutting down all crazy explorations is that kids will lose their own internal sense of how to create safety within the adventure Continue Reading
While imagination, fantasy, play and magic in childhood is…magical… lying to avoid important conversations, setting a limit or explaining certain aspects about life can really be harmful to the parent child relationship. Here are four reasons to avoid lies and four reasons to strive to tell the truth: Continue Reading
Things will get messy, loud, sticky, complicated and stressful.Choose love and building a relationship over proving you have power. Children learn so much when given a chance to fix their own mistakes. Continue Reading