Parenting Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

How to Get Toddlers to Listen Without Yelling

Jul 22, 2021

Frustrated when your child only responds to yelling? Learn how to get toddlers to listen without yelling with these parenting tips. "No." "Don't jump on the couch." "You can't have another snack." "Stop hitting your brother." I don't know how many times I've looked at my kids and asked them not to do something, only for them to do exactly what I had just told them not to do. If I asked them to stop banging a pencil on the table, they'd look me in the eye while they continue pounding away. If I told them to stay near me as we walk along a busy street, they'd pretend they … [Read more...]

How to Praise Your Child for a Growth Mindset

Communication

Jul 21, 2021

Many parents praise their kids with good intentions, but did you know praise can also hinder their potential? Learn how to praise your child for a growth mindset. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. I was impressed. My then-four-year-old had just finished building an intricate structure of wooden blocks. This was the stuff I didn't even know he could do. Each block was meticulously placed and symmetrical, and it looked like something a budding architect would make. I was so … [Read more...]

A Powerful Way to Respond When You Feel Angry

Parenthood

Jul 20, 2021

Do you react and get angry with your child, then feel guilty about it? Learn how to respond with intentional parenting to stay calm. "You're mean!" my son yelled at me. Apparently, he didn't like that I wanted to apply sunblock on him so we could go to school. He had been reading a book and wanted me to start on his brother first. But even when I suggested I apply the sunblock while he reads, he stomped out of the room. The thing is, I wasn't in the mood to deal with it. I felt stressed about work and had my own emotional weight to carry—now I had to deal with this, too? The most … [Read more...]

5 Useful Tools to Teach Impulse Control for Kids

Development

Jul 18, 2021

Do you wish your child would think before acting more often? Learn how to teach impulse control for kids with these 5 useful tools. Wondering what age kids typically stop to think before acting? Many parents struggle with impulse control for kids, despite time-outs or removing privileges. Perhaps your child grabs toys from other kids or pushes them for no reason. He doesn't think twice about touching something hot or dirty, and he can't stay away from the items you keep telling him not to touch. The confusing part? He says "sorry" right away and clearly knows that what he did was … [Read more...]

How to Show Empathy to a Child

Communication

Jul 13, 2021

What does it mean to have empathy for kids? Discover ways to understand what children are feeling and how to show empathy to a child. My then-six-year-old thought I didn't care about him—and all because of wooden blocks. I opened a box of wooden blocks for my three boys to dig into. By the time they separated their stash, he had way more than the other two. In an attempt to be fair, I counted the blocks and divided them equally among all three—and that meant taking a few blocks away from him. He started to pout and cry. It's just a bunch of blocks, I tried to convince him. You had way … [Read more...]

Smart Ways to Cope When You Feel Tired All the Time

Parenthood

Jul 08, 2021

Do you feel tired all the time? Here are smart ways to cope with sleep deprivation and fatigue. A must-read for parents who feel exhausted! In the many years I've been a parent, I've had my share of tired days. When you're yawning your sleepiness away, or feel that tingle in your eyes because they want to shut themselves. Even once the kids were sleeping through the night, I still couldn't blame them for my sleep deprivation. Take, for instance, the glorious weeks after I sleep-trained the twins. No longer bound by their frequent wake ups, I now had the hours after 8pm to myself. … [Read more...]

Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child

Behavior

Jul 04, 2021

Setting limits with your strong-willed child can be a challenge. But with these simple techniques, you can turn difficult situations around! "She is just so stubborn, and... strong-willed," a friend said. She was talking about her child who was challenging her in ways she wasn't used to. Strong-willed children want to be in charge and will test limits. Imagine the two-year-old who insists "me do it!" as she fumbles with putting on her shoes. Meanwhile, mom waits impatiently, knowing she won't be putting her shoes as quickly as she could do it. As frustrating as it may be to handle a … [Read more...]

How to Stop Your Child from Whining All the Time

Communication

Jul 03, 2021

Kids constantly crying and complaining over everything? Learn how to stop your child from whining all the time — a must-read for parents! If you’re like me, you dread The Whining Sound. It can catch you off guard first thing in the morning when your child hasn't even been awake for five minutes. Or you’ve come to expect it at the end of a long, tiring day. No matter the time of day, whining is one of the triggers that can set me off. I can't imagine another adult whining to me that way, so it seems even worse when kids resort to it. At first, the solution seems to be to get in full … [Read more...]

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