As we all know too well, name–calling, cruel taunts, cyberbullying, and physical bullying happen every day to kids across the country. When your child is being bullied, it’s hard to concentrate on anything else—all you want to do is make it stop immediately. At some point, your child will be picked on or will have... Read more »
If yelling worked, parenting would be easy, wouldn't it? We'd simply shout, "Do it!" and our kids would comply. But here's the truth: yelling doesn't work. I tell parents that if screaming at our kids was effective, I'd be out of business. You'd just be able to yell at your child, and he'd change. Or... Read more »
"Shut up" is a rude and offensive comment. Kids learn that fact very early through various channels, from movies, music, school, and social media. So whether it's you or your child saying "shut up," just know that the comment is insulting, and I recommend that you do not tolerate insulting behavior in your home, especially... Read more »
If the thought of your child starting school fills you with dread, you're not alone. Right now, thousands of parents across the country are asking themselves, "How am I going to get my child up on time, get them to do their homework, and make sure they stay out of trouble this year?" If your child... Read more »
Siblings bicker—it’s what they do. They tease and taunt and fight. It can drive parents crazy and wear us down—and for good reason. “Mom, he just called me a bad name.” “I did not, you liar!” “He did too, Mom, and he always does. You just never see it!” “Get lost, brat. You’re such a baby!” “I hate you!” Seemingly... Read more »
Even as adults, managing our anger can be hard, and we’ve had years of practice. For our children, who are just learning about their emotions, keeping their anger in check can be especially difficult. Kids can easily lash out at people who make them angry or situations that frustrate them: name-calling when they lose a... Read more »
There are times when a home can feel like a battlefield, with constant tension and fighting. One mom described life with her son this way: “I can usually tell what kind of day it’s going to be from the minute he gets up. If it’s going to be a bad day, I walk around on... Read more »
"Too often, parents work under the faulty assumption that if they can simply explain things to a child having a tantrum, the child will fall in line and stop misbehaving. As a result, many parents talk above the developmental level of their toddler." Knowing how to handle your child or toddler effectively can feel overwhelming at times.... Read more »
To expect your child to understand and care about your feelings when he or she disobeys you is a sign that you’re over–personalizing the behavior. And by doing so, you are setting yourself up to be frustrated. When parents take things very personally, they overreact by saying abusive things, giving severe punishments or even physically hurting their... Read more »
If you’re the parent of a defiant child, you’ve probably wondered what makes him so angry at life—and angry at you. With the school year approaching, are you gearing up for another difficult year with your child, just hoping that he’ll make it through—and that you’ll be able to manage without falling apart? Realize that... Read more »
