Moms Who Make a Difference
Most people know that sharing dinner as a family is associated with positive mental and physical health outcomes for children of all ages. To be happy, humans need a sense of belonging, and there’s nothing like the warm experience of sharing a meal to remind children that they have a home. The more often families […]
Bowen got a pink slip today for misbehaving at school. He not only feels bad and discouraged, but he is afraid to go home because he knows a punishment will be added. Mom will look disappointed and give him more evidence that he is bad. He might decide to hide the pink slip and hope […]
While at the beach standing amid a large crowd waiting for sea turtles to be released, I watched a 2-year-old struggle in her mother’s arms. She wanted to get down and play in the sand with the other children, but mom was concerned she would run off. What mom did next was a metaphor for […]
When you find yourself frequently “reacting” to your children’s behavior, your “fight, flight, freeze or faint” response is being triggered. You are at risk for chronic stress and your mental and physical health can suffer. When you aren’t at your best, it is harder for your children to be at theirs. Before you are about […]
Many people believe that in order to get results people must be offered incentives to do better and given penalties for failing to perform. These external forms of motivation can produce short-term results but fail over the long term. The most successful people rely on internal motivation, and there are ways for children to develop […]
Do timeouts work with children? Consider the following scenario. Your boss gives you a project, and you work hard on it because you want to please her. Even though you’re not satisfied with it, you present it anyway. Believing that the best way to motivate employees and change behavior is to lower the boom, she […]
The goldfish went belly-up while Heidi was at school. Chipper, the parakeet, flew out the front door when you left for errands this morning. Aaron’s good friend is moving far away. A parent or grandparent is seriously ill. As much as we would like to shield our children from bad news – and wish to […]
All kids push the limits, put a toe right on the line, challenge authority. That’s their job. And you want your child to do this – within reason. Doing so helps them understand limits and guides them to becoming independent, respectful adults. With that said, by following these four guidelines for fair and effective consequences, […]
Have you ever heard this? “But, Mom, SHE started it!” “Did NOT!” “Did TOO!” Or said this? “We are going to settle this, and we are going to settle it right NOW!” Being able to settle differences is an invaluable life skill. But the above scenario is not set up for a satisfactory ending. Under […]
Today’s kids expect certainty. Predictability. Knowing. Knowing exactly how things will turn out. And if they don’t know and can’t plan for each step, some freak out, struggling to tolerate the distress that comes with not knowing. How Did Kids Get So Rigid? Have parents, teachers and professionals unknowingly created the expectation of certainty […]
