Author Archives: Nicole Schwarz

Avoid Power Struggles using this Problem Solving Script

Avoid Power Struggles using this Problem Solving Script

Inside: Learn how to Avoid Power Struggles and problem solve when you and your child have conflicting opinions. The bathroom is getting steamy. The water has been flowing for minutes, and your child is still fully clothed, refusing to budge. Every night it’s the same battle. You say that he needs to shower. He refuses… Continue Reading

How Empathy Helps When Your Child Acts Out

How Empathy Helps When Your Child Acts Out

 Parenting Your Child through Big Emotions Can be Challenging. “You’re disappointed with my decision,” you say empathetically. “Yeah! It’s not fair! Everyone else gets to go…except me!” your child yells back. You extend your arms as a peace offering, attempting to connect through this difficult situation. Glaring at you, yelling, “This is the worst day ever!”… Continue Reading

How to Be a Confident Parent

How to Be a Confident Parent

Your son is on the floor, arms and legs flailing. Crying and screaming at the top of his lungs. He’s been like this for 10 minutes already. If you could read his mind in this moment, he might be thinking, “Mom! Please help me! I’m feeling so disappointed. I want to stop crying, but I… Continue Reading

What to Say When You Don’t Know WHAT to Say to Your Kids

What to Say When You Don’t Know WHAT to Say to Your Kids

Sometimes, our kids come to us with big problems. Big worries. Big confessions or difficult questions.  In a perfect world, we would have all of the answers. We’d know exactly how to respond and we’d say it with the ideal inflection and corresponding body language. But, in reality, big topics often turn into disastrous conversations… Continue Reading

How To Use Brainstorming To Encourage Your Child To Cooperate

How To Use Brainstorming To Encourage Your Child To Cooperate

When done well, brainstorming can create an atmosphere of cooperation in your home. It teaches kids to think critically about problems, consider the thoughts and feelings of others, and to explore a variety of solutions. Even at a young age, kids can create fantastic solutions to everyday problems and challenges if we give them the… Continue Reading

Helping your Child through Change or Difficult Transitions

Helping your Child through Change or Difficult Transitions

Moving house, starting a new school, the birth of a sibling or any other changes and transitions can be very challenging for some children. Change can bring on tears, fears, anxiety, worry and even “misbehaviors” or “acting out.” While parents often see the importance of helping their children through big transitions, such as the birth of a… Continue Reading

Using Empathy to Connect with Your Kids

Using Empathy to Connect with Your Kids

Positive parenting educators and mental health therapists talk a lot about empathy. When when parents want to know how to respond when their kids are angry or anxious, I suggest responding with empathy first. I tell parents to think of empathy as “finding the feeling” in what their child is saying or experiencing. If your… Continue Reading

Why Your Presence is What Your Child Needs To Thrive

Why Your Presence is What Your Child Needs To Thrive

The Importance of Quality Time With Kids It’s easy to think that video games, new clothes and ice cream cones are the way to a child’s heart. Parents often mistake a child’s longing for toys or begging for snacks as their way of saying what’s important. Some kids act out, whine or cry, other kids… Continue Reading

Seven Essential Steps to Help Your Child Manage Unhelpful Habits Like Chewing, Nail Biting and Nose Picking

Seven Essential Steps to Help Your Child Manage Unhelpful Habits Like Chewing, Nail Biting and Nose Picking

  Does your child fidget with everything, chew on their shirt sleeves, bite their nails, make noises with their mouth? It is challenging to know how to address these problems without making your child feel embarrassed or defensive about their behavior. My daughter is a chewer. She chews on everything — shirt sleeves, blankets, markers,… Continue Reading

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