Emotionally intelligent children not only recognize and manage their own feelings, they are also able to understand emotional states of others. Emotional intelligence is also important for healthy development. Continue Reading
Positive parenting is not about keeping our children happy 100% of the time or giving in to every demand or bending the earth to suit our child’s desires. However, it is important that we pay attention and strike a balance between the needs of the child, the family and our own. When everyone’s needs and feelings are being considered, and cooperation and communication are the focus instead of commands, demands and high expectation, parents and children can really find wonderful harmony. Continue Reading
To encourage better behavior, make sure you are taking this important step after disciplining your child. Books went flying down to the ground. Screams filled the dining room. My heart skipped a beat as I quickly assessed the situation for injuries and damages. You know that feelings when you aren’t so sure if all your kids… Continue Reading
Use the Division of Responsibility In Feeding To Help Your Child Transform Picky Eating into a Healthy Relationship with Food It’s pretty normal for children to be selective about what they eat. Picky eating can be just a phase, especially in the toddler and preschool years. Even if it’s normal, picky eating can bring up worries, frustration… Continue Reading
These Six Positive Parenting strategies can help you respond to your child when they are behaving in defiant, disrespectful or unhelpful ways. Children often act out when they are lost, fearful and in need of guidance. A child that is being defiant needs to reconnect with you and find his way back to calm. And until… Continue Reading
Inside: Why young children misbehave even when you tell them not to do something. Learn what you can do to discipline in a positive way that helps children behave better. It was mid morning at playgroup and tension was rising between Theo and his mother. There was a phone, perfectly placed on the edge of… Continue Reading
Toddler brains are just not mature enough to really know safe from unsafe just yet. Not even at age three or five are children’s brains fully mature enough to really respond well to distress, real or imagined. Clingy toddlers, don’t cling forever. When reassured, loved, and cared for in this stage, toddlers may blossom into confident, capable, happy children. Continue Reading
Inside: Positive ways for encouraging more cooperation from toddlers One very challenging task in the early years of parenting is finding ways to encourage cooperation and listening. Toddlers and pre-schoolers are notorious for saying “NO!” “I can’t” and “I don’t want to!” especially in moments when we would like to hear “yes mama!” and “OK” In… 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
Inside: Children with positive self-esteem recognize their abilities and feel proud about what they are able to. You can actively help build your child’s self-esteem by fostering connection, being encouraging and welcoming mistakes. After jumping down from a tree at the park my son stood up, did a little victory dance and then ran off… Continue Reading