Communication Archives - Sleeping Should Be Easy

Why Kids Lie and What to Do About It

Aug 21, 2021

Frustrated because your child keeps lying and you don't know how to stop the behavior? Learn why kids lie — and how to handle it. "I got some water on my pants when I washed my hands," my then-four-year-old said. Never mind that the tell-tale signs of a peeing accident suggested that he was lying. He had been having accidents and likely didn't want to fess up that he had yet another one. But as a parent, not only is the circumstance your child is lying about frustrating (the accident), but the very fact that he lied in the first place. Why kids lie Telling lies is normal and … [Read more...]

Family Conversation Starters to Try Right Now

Communication

Aug 11, 2021

Want to engage with your kids and help them think deeper? These family conversation starters will ignite discussion and critical thinking. Conversations with our kids can sometimes feel repetitive, don't you think? We ask, "How was school?" to get the predictable "Good" response. We might dive into asking what they did at school, which is better, but not by much. Beyond getting more than a one-word answer, I wanted to learn how to spur conversation with my kids to get them to think differently. I knew how important family conversation starters can be to encourage critical thinking and … [Read more...]

3 Ways We Unintentionally Disrespect Our Kids

Communication

Aug 10, 2021

No parent would disrespect her child on purpose, but sometimes we do so without knowing. Check out these three ways we unintentionally disrespect kids — and what to do instead. Would you say you disrespect your kids? If you're like me, you would assume no, of course not. You love your kids and would never disrespect them. You wouldn't want others to do so, much less yourself. But sometimes we disrespect our kids without even knowing it. We mean well and may not see how our words affect them, or we overlook the consequences of our actions, thinking all is fun and jest when really, … [Read more...]

Tell Your Kids You Love Them, Even when It’s Hard To

Communication

Jul 31, 2021

It's easy to tell your kids you love them during happy times. But it's just as important to do so when it's hard as well. 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 doesn't help anyone. … [Read more...]

How to Get Toddlers to Listen Without Yelling

Communication

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...]

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...]

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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