Kids get angry like everyone else. Sure, half of the time they get angry over something as arbitrary as wanting to buckle their own seat belt or pour a glass of milk. Sometimes we can help diffuse their anger by …
Show-and-Tell: Helping Kids to Play Well With Others
Helping kids play well with others can be challenging at times. None of us, including our kids, are wired to share, put others first or choose kindness when things don’t go our way. Teaching healthy relationship skills to kids can …
The Brilliant Parenting Lesson I Learned From My Husband
I recently went out of town for a conference and left my husband to manage our four children. I decided to call daily to check on his parenting progress and give him advice on how to handle his current situation. …
“What’s Wrong With That Boy?” 6 Tips for Talking to Your Kids About Disabilities
“Daddy, what’s wrong with that boy?” the little girl asked. I knew she noticed my son Joey, an amazing little boy who just happens to have Down syndrome. He also developed alopecia a few years ago, leaving him with no …
Teaching My Children Generosity
“You have to share!” “Take turns!” “Give it to her already!” “I’m sorry, but you just can’t have it your way. All. Of. The. Time!” My attempts to guide my children toward kind, generous behavior go from patient to livid …
Beware of the Crazy Talk: Learning to diffuse money conversations
Have you ever heard crazy talk coming out of your mouth but couldn’t do anything to stop it? “Why don’t you trust me?” Boom. There goes the crazy talk. I couldn’t believe I said that – out loud – to …
Messy House Hospitality
“Can I stop over in 10 minutes?” “Sure, you can come over!” I hear myself say with feigned enthusiasm that even impresses me. I didn’t listen to the rest of what she said. I was too busy planning my panic …
The Keeper
One of my favorite stories of childhood comes from when I was in high school. My younger sister and I were shopping with my mom. We were complaining — in the way that only teenage girls complain — that we …
Raising Great Kids: Dealing With Selfishness
Preschoolers are all about “me first.” They only look at reality in terms of how it affects them: I need all the cookies. I want to watch this TV show. Mine, mine, mine. It’s a self-absorbed time of life. Part …
