Worried that your toddler isn't saying many words? Learn how to encourage late talkers to communicate with simple and effective activities. When my little guy was a baby, people kept telling us, “Oh, he’s going to be an early talker, just listen to him babble!” I agreed, up until his 15-month appointment when his pediatrician asked the question that changed my mind: “How many words does he say?” “Umm…” I stammered. “Maybe three?” Even after I responded I knew I wasn’t being completely accurate. You see, his three words weren’t words so much as babbles. He would say “mamama…” but … [Read more...]
How to Teach Your Kids to Make Good Choices
Helping children make good choices is like any other skill—it has to be learned. See how helping kids make decisions encourages critical thinking. Picture the parent whose whole day seems to revolve around monitoring her children's actions. She helps right away when she notices her toddler struggling with a toy. She intervenes just as her two kids begin to argue about whose turn it is to use the toy car. And when her four-year-old refuses to follow directions, she's prepared with a slew of punishments to teach him a lesson. It's like we're on lookout for anything wrong our kids can … [Read more...]
Tell Your Kids You Love Them, Even when It’s Hard To
It's easy to tell our kids "I love you" during happy times. But it's just as important to tell your kids you love them, even when it's hard to. Here's why. The downturn of the sides of their mouths. The narrowing of tearful eyes. The slight rise in the shoulders. These were the slight cues I'd see when my kids realized they were in trouble. And it all signaled one thing: They felt defensive. And who wouldn't? They don't like getting in trouble or knowing they did something wrong. And they don't want to disappoint their parents. So they pout, cry, or even get angry. But defensiveness … [Read more...]
One Unusual Way to Stop Kids Whining
Can't get your children to stop whining? Learn one unusual but effective way to handle a whiny toddler and strengthen your relationship with your child too! If you’re like me, you dread The Whining Sound. It can catch you off guard first thing in the morning even when the kids haven’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. And at first, the … [Read more...]
Communicate Effectively with Kids by Changing Just a Few Words
Frustrated when your kids don't follow instructions? Communicate effectively with kids by changing a few words. Hang around kids long enough and you'll know they don't always follow instructions. If they do, they might spend a few minutes sulking or dragging their feet. Other times, they outright balk and refuse. What if we can avoid much of that with a few simple tweaks to our words? Or a quick change in our tone of voice? What and how we communicate to our kids sends powerful messages., sometimes so meaningful that it can alter their behavior and willingness to follow directions. … [Read more...]
How Teaching Kids about Emotions Reduces Misbehavior
Struggling with getting your child to listen? Learn how teaching feelings reduces children's misbehavior, and how you can apply this in your daily life. My three-year-old told me I made him sad, and I couldn't be prouder. Let me back up. Picking up three kids from two schools in the afternoons is not my favorite part of the day. On one recent trip, I was buckling them in the van with all three telling me different stories at the same time. I was trying to listen to my eldest, who was first to talk, but his brothers kept interrupting. "You have to wait your turn to talk," I … [Read more...]
One Effective Word to Get Kids to Listen
Teaching children to listen the first time is a common parenting struggle every mom has faced. Learn how to get kids to listen with this one effective word. My three-year-old was stalling over everything. He'd take forever to put each leg through his shorts. I'd have to wait longer than usual for him to get out of the van. Even finishing dinner was another way for him to not do something I asked him to do. He knows he gets a reaction when he does this. Other times, he takes things personally and can't seem to just let it go. And still other times, it's difficult to convince him to do … [Read more...]
One Guaranteed Way to Show You Respect Your Children
Want to show you respect your children? Here's one way to check. This morning, I walked my three-year-old twins to preschool when one of them began to sulk and stall. He just stopped walking. My response? "Don't give me trouble! Hurry up already!" For many of us, this happens all too often. We don't treat kids with the respect they need. We yell, say things we regret, and forget this isn't the ideal way to interact with them. To be fair, our kids aren't always reasonable. They test our patience and need guidance and instruction. They're also not as experienced as adults and will … [Read more...]
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