by Deborah Godfrey (*note…I wrote this article in 2001, so while the media our kids are using has changed, my ideas for setting limits has not! Please read and substitute whatever form of electronic entertainment you kids over-use for TV, and try the ideas accordingly…I would love to get feedback on how it goes for [...]
- by Tim Jordan, M.D. “He’s the brightest in his class!” “He’s been the top goal scorer on his team for 5 years!” “Isn’t she gorgeous – she’s the prettiest girl in her class!” “I don’t care about the 6 A’s – how come you got a B in science?” “Thank God for Suzie – [...]
Family Meetings can be a very successful method of enhancing family cooperation and closeness. Here are some ideas for the format of a family meeting. Hold the meeting once a week at a time when everyone in the family can attend. Keep this time sacred — don’t keep changing it at everyone’s convenience. Mark the [...]
Brittany is an extremely well behaved, cooperative child; however Mom and dad were a bit frustrated with her frequent whining. About 2 weeks into the class, mom shared that Brittany had said to her, “Mom. Have you noticed I’m not whining anymore?” Mom replied, “Well Brittany, yes I have noticed it! Why do you think [...]
- by Diane Clark Johnson Development is given in a range of years. Each child develops as an individual. Ask yourself, are you expecting too much or too little? Your child’s behavior “problem” may be just one of his/her important and normal developmental tasks. Awareness of these tasks should reassure you that your child’s development [...]
- by Ruth Angaran, M.Ed. (A note from the author: This article developed from a response to a mom in cyberspace facing this exact situation with her teenage daughter, hence I have used “she” throughout the article for clarity and consistency. The ideas and points are equally relevant for parents of teenage boys as well.) [...]
(Author Unknown) Imagine if someone with authority said to you that you could not use corporal punishment to discipline your children. Stop and think…how would you handle it? Would it cause dramatic changes in the way you discipline your kids? Would you go into a panic? Would you give up disciplining all together? Eliminating corporal [...]
This week I started a new 5-week class. I’ve been teaching parenting classes for about 20 years, so you would think that after this many years and thousands of parents, I would get used to the pain that parents can be in when they arrive at my class (or talk with me on the phone). [...]
2 year old Christian was having constant tantrums. Mom had been completely frustrated. Now, when she notices a tantrum coming on, she gives him a choice. She noticed that they occur on leaving a place or when he doesn’t get his way. When it’s time to leave, she will say, “Would you like to go [...]
Mom was working in her home office and 2-½ year old Gabriela wanted to play. Mom was just about done, so she sat her down on the floor with a coloring book and turned back to her desk to finish up. She looked back and Gabriela had taken her wallet out of her purse and [...]