To Praise or Not to Praise Your Kids
Don’t tell your kid he’s smart, or he won’t think he needs to try. Tell your kid he’s smart so he’ll believe he’s capable. Don’t praise your kid at all; then he’ll grow up expecting constant affirmation. Praise your kid for her efforts so she will see the value of...
How Kids Can Make the Wise Choice
It was another average weekday. Shortly after arriving home from work, I’m routinely rifling through the pile of papers pulled from my 2nd grader’s backpack. Amidst the assortment of math worksheets, writing assignments and doodles, I see one yellow slip of paper. One...
Simple, Crafty Gifts Any Grandparent Will Love
Did you know that Grandparent’s Day is coming up on September 9th? Whether you have celebrated it in the past or it has gone by unnoticed, this is a perfect time for you and your kids to celebrate the grandparents in your life. The problem is, how do you celebrate...
5 Things All First Graders Have In Common
Enter a room full of six- and seven-year-olds and you’re bound to spot one thing right away: the cute little gaps of kids who whistle while they talk. Forget calling it first grade. This is the Missing Teeth Club.
The “S” Word
I don’t write often about discipline online because it’s a great way to have an argument with strangers. I feel like in general we have enough yelling on the Internet and I don’t need to contribute more. Parenting is fraught with controversial topics and discipline is...
Toddlers Have Super Powers
My son started walking about three months ago. It took less than three days to realize we had entered a whole new world. A world where he could now access the dog at will and climb up the kitchen island when something shiny caught his attention. Like knives. This kid...
5 Ways to Help Your Kids Make Wise Choices
Any of these sound familiar? Dad, can I ride my skateboard down the driveway and into the street? Mom, can we jump off the roof into the pool? Mom, can I slide down the banister? Dad, can I jump on that beehive right there? When you hear questions like that you want...
4 Ways to Connect With Your Kid’s Teacher
Do you remember your first grade teacher? I loved mine. I remember how Ms. Parker erased the board from left to right every day and then wrote the new date in the top right hand corner. I also remember how she showed me how to use a ruler because I was sick on the day...
What to Do When Your Kid Offends You
Getting time away from my kids is one of my favorite things. Now, don’t get me wrong . . . I love my kids, but for the sake of my well-being, I need time away. And when it comes to getting away, my favorite way to get away is to travel is with my husband. It’s amazing...
How to Help Your Kids Get Along
Child 1: Mom . . . (insert sibligs name here) just hit me. Child 2: No I didn’t . . . I just gave him a high five and hit his face. As a mother of four (each fifteen months apart), I am outnumbered on so many levels. The fact of the matter is there is no easy task...
The Truth About Parenting Preschoolers
Before we had children, a friend once told us that, “Kids simultaneously ruin your life and make it awesome.” Now, as the parents of a one-year-old and a three-year-old, we ruefully refer to this comment on a regular basis. It’s the truth of our story right now. We...
Building Bridges With Your Kids
Picture it. Family movie night. You’ve just popped an industrial-size bowl full of popcorn. You’ve got a mug of hot chocolate for each kid, with exactly 13 mini marshmallows each. Everyone’s snuggling under blankets and settling in for some much-needed R&R. Then,...