Most parents would love to see their kids manage their intense emotions without falling apart or taking their frustrations out on others. It's hard to watch your children react to their upset feelings by flying off the handle, holding a grudge, complaining or insulting the people around them when their emotions are running high. As... Read more »
People talk a lot about the need for “boundaries,” but what does this word really mean? As a parent, you can think of a boundary as the line you draw around yourself to define where you end and where your child begins. This isn’t always easy. And let’s face it, kids push the boundaries every... Read more »
As a parent, you naturally worry about your child's future. It's part of being a parent, and it makes sense. A healthy dose of worry motivates you to set limits and keeps your child safe and on the right track. Nevertheless, too many of our worries are excessive and just don't make sense. Especially when we... Read more »
There's a wonderful, special role that grandparents get to play within the family. Part of that role says that they have an extra bit of leeway with the grandkids—they might take them for ice cream or let them stay up a bit later when they visit, for example. Ideally, grandparents make life easier for the... Read more »
You know the drill: Your child is screaming at you, ignoring you, being irresponsible or hurtful. Suddenly, you’re yelling at the top of your lungs, matching him decibel for decibel. Later, you think, “Why did I fly off the handle again? I’m so tired of letting him push my buttons so easily.” Yelling is a natural... Read more »
The new year gives us a chance to pause and ask ourselves the big questions: “How am I doing? How can I improve?” If you’re a parent, perhaps you resolve to be a calmer one, a more consistent one, a stricter one, a more involved one. Maybe you’re thinking about the gap between the parent... Read more »
Do you find yourself in full-on homework battles most nights of the week? It’s no surprise that most children and teens will dig in their heels when it comes to doing schoolwork. Think of it this way: How many kids want to do something that isn’t particularly exciting or pleasant? Most would prefer to be playing video... Read more »
What’s one of the keys to avoiding constant fights with your child? Believe it or not, it’s the same skill that will help you through any crisis situation—your ability to remain calm. When your child is upset, anxious or angry, keeping your cool is half the battle. It’s a way for you to put out... Read more »
Parents don't want to admit an ugly truth—that sometimes they don't like their child. If you feel this way and are scared, it's okay. Parenting is challenging and often emotional, especially when our kids are defiant, disrespectful, or not who we wanted them to be. We all have expectations for how our kids should grow... Read more »
Whether you are recently divorced or have been for some time, don't worry that you have ruined your child's life. You haven't. While divorce can be a big part of your child's life, what will determine their ultimate quality of life is still in the hands of each parent. Can children be affected negatively by... Read more »