Category: Parenting

Helping our Children Succeed

We got an email from our daughter’s second grade teacher today. The teacher shared some of our daughter’s strengths, explained her areas of challenge, noted the accommodations that are currently being provided per her 504 plan, and asked what ideas we had for helping her improve her focus. Although this interaction was positive, it sent … Continue reading “Helping our Children Succeed”

Anger Energy & Kids

Teaching kids how to manage their anger can ironically cause us to feel frustrated. We might become frazzled trying to figure out how to state what we think is obvious. Sometimes we forget that they are learning how to deal with their emotions as they develop. Just as we have to teach them how to … Continue reading “Anger Energy & Kids”

How to Be Present with Children

With all the pressures of our daily lives it can be difficult to be present with those we love.  Our ‘To-Do’ list can be a mile long, thus keeping our minds in the future rather than the here-and-now.  This may not seem to be an issue while we’re conducting our daily activities, but when our … Continue reading “How to Be Present with Children”

Discipline – Why and How

Why… The reason we discipline our children is not so we can have a sense of control over another person, but rather to: Guide Train Protect I view children as little aliens to this world and the adults in their lives are here to help them learn the ways of humans. They will not know … Continue reading “Discipline – Why and How”

Follow-Through

“My kid doesn’t believe me when I tell him I’ll be at his soccer game.” “I can’t get my child to listen to me.” “My daughter stopped asking me to play tea party with her.” “My little girl won’t follow the house rules.” These are statements that have been voiced by frustrated parents. After some … Continue reading “Follow-Through”

Co-Parenting

One of the most heart-wrenching experiences through which a person can go is the process of divorce. It can be even more horrifying when children are involved.  Parents often wonder if the divorce will “mess-up” their child.  They fear the long-term effects and are concerned their child will suffer greatly because of the divorce.   The … Continue reading “Co-Parenting”

Parenting with Grace

My highest priority has always been to be a great mother to the kids I was so blessed to receive. They were long in coming, and well worth the wait.  But afternoons filled with struggles over homework, messy rooms, and sibling squabbles seem to rob us all of the joy I expected.  My mind circles … Continue reading “Parenting with Grace”

Children and Feelings

Do you ever get upset when you can’t figure out how you are feeling?  Children experience this same kind of frustration.  The difference is that children typically do not have the cognitive ability or the emotional capacity to self-discover.  This is why it is vitally important to teach children the various emotions they may be … Continue reading “Children and Feelings”

Relaxation Breathing for Children

As adults it can be difficult to remember to implement relaxation techniques when we are stressed or feeling emotional.  It is just as difficult if not more so for children.  As an adult we learn to take slow deep breathes that fill our lungs and expand our diaphragm, all the while counting to ten.  If … Continue reading “Relaxation Breathing for Children”

Being a Nurturing Parent

In honor of “National Child Abuse Prevention” month I wanted to discuss some important principles of being a nurturing parent. First off, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that parenting is one of the most important and stressful roles a person will have in his life. That is why it is necessary for a parent … Continue reading “Being a Nurturing Parent”