Many years ago, my mother-in-law told me that I was reading too many books about parenting. She said that I should trust my parenting intuition, because the right answers would just come to me. Her vote of confidence felt lovely…and yet, later that night, what “came to me” was a yelling match when my daughter… Continue Reading
Positive parenting can bring real joy into your home, improve cooperation and listening. There are many benefits to choosing a positive approach to parenting. Several studies have shown that children feel safe and grow confident when parents treat them with respect and kindness (especially when correcting behaviors). These Ten Positive Parenting Tips can bring your… Continue Reading
Screen time management ideas to help you connect with your child and limit technology use in a positive way. For most kids, summer is a time of freedom – from classrooms, strict schedules and the general humdrum of the school year. But summer also means more screen time. Time on gaming devices, tablets and other… Continue Reading
Inside: Five questions to help you set limits instead of using punishment when your child misbehaves. “I have tried using warnings, time outs and taking my son’s toys away when he acts out, hits his sister and just overall doesn’t listen to me but it doesn’t work. I hear a lot about setting limits but I… Continue Reading
Inside: You can be a big influence in your child’s life when it comes to learning how to calm down instead of having fits of anger. Calming Down isn’t Always Easy For Children. Help your child manage tantrums, anger and frustration and learn self-regulation skills. “Got anything I can smash around here?” asked my daughter with… Continue Reading
Inside: Five Positive Tools for Helping Siblings Solve Conflicts and Get Along The following is adapted from Rebecca’s new book, The Positive Parenting Workbook. This inspiring and inviting guide walks readers through the process of charting a new path toward greater emotional awareness, clear communication, and joyful parenting! Filled with encouraging prompts and plenty of… Continue Reading
Discipline Your Misbehaving Child With Positive and Proven Strategies. Do you really want to spend the next several years with your child shouting, threatening, nagging and feeling exasperated day in and day out? Here are proven positive strategies to change behavior and help your child grow responsible and healthy. Continue Reading
The holiday season can be a big trap for stress and parenting self-sabotage. For the next several weeks, you may have high expectations for good, cooperative behavior. You may get tired of fielding requests for big, expensive or so very many gifts. Comments from relatives at family gatherings may trigger self-doubt. Little elves on shelves eagerly waiting to report… Continue Reading
The best praise is focused on your child’s effort, not your child’s traits. The same is true of criticism. In one study by Columbia University researchers, kindergarteners were given a scenario: a teacher asks them to create a house out of Legos, and they forget to put in windows. Then the teacher and child role-play… Continue Reading
How To Use Positive Discipline For Setting Limits with Kids I keep a notebook about each of my children in which I record major events, questions, and notes from parent-teacher conferences and other meetings. I happened to be thumbing through my daughter’s notebook while at a doctor visit last month, and a folded piece of… Continue Reading