Communication Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

Why You Shouldn’t Tell Your Child to Stop Crying

Sep 03, 2020

Hearing kids cry and whine can feel frustrating, but we also shouldn't tell them to stop crying. Take a look at a few compelling reasons why. I'll admit: I've told my kids to stop crying pretty often. They could've been crying for 30 minutes straight before I snapped and said, "Stop crying already!" I've sent them to their rooms, telling them they can come out when they're finished. And I've also held them in my arms after a scraped knee, reassuring them with a mantra of "Don't cry, don't cry..." I'm certain I'm not alone. It's amazing how many times we tell our kids to stop crying … [Read more...]

5 Mistakes Parents Make When Giving Kids Choices

Communication

Sep 02, 2020

You hear all the time that giving choices is the way to go. But what if it backfires? Avoid these 5 mistakes parents make when giving choices. My son woke up cranky, dragging himself through his morning routine. He complained about his oatmeal and lay limp as I got him dressed for the day. He balked when he had to stop assembling his puzzles so we could leave the house for an errand. And when it was time to put on a jacket, he refused. One tactic that could work well is to say, "We're putting on your jacket. Which one do you want to wear?" And for good reason: When given a choice, … [Read more...]

7 Game-Changing Ways to Respond to Your Argumentative Child

Communication

Aug 20, 2020

Dealing with an argumentative child can be challenging for parents. Discover 7 game-changing ways to stop kids from constantly arguing about everything. "We're going to watch Ninjago today, because yesterday we watched Rowan Freemaker," my son announced. Usually he keeps good track of which show to watch and when, but on this particular day, he was wrong. "Actually, we watched Ninjago yesterday," I corrected him, "so today we're watching Rowan Freemaker." "No," he said, standing his ground. "Remember how..." and he continued to fill in the plot of the show, oblivious to the fact that … [Read more...]

5 Things You Shouldn’t Say When Your Child Loses

Communication

Aug 12, 2020

Everyone faces failure, and what we say to our kids is important. Learn what to avoid when your child loses a competition (and what to say instead). Imagine this: Your child is excited to enter a gymnastics competition this weekend. She has her props prepared and her outfit hanging on the door, and her confidence is through the roof. She knows she'll win first place. She's been practicing for weeks (although, admittedly, not as much as she could). The big day arrives, and she performs. But despite her weeks of practice, she didn't win first place. In fact, she failed to win any … [Read more...]

Baby Sign Language Pros and Cons: What You Need to Know

Communication

Aug 11, 2020

Wondering whether to sign with your baby or toddler as a way to communicate? Take a look at these baby sign language pros and cons to better decide whether to teach your child sign language. By Lane Rebelo If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably heard about baby sign language, but you might not be sure if it’s for you or not. You might have heard parents say things like "Baby sign language is amazing!" or perhaps you've heard others say, "It’s a waste of time." What’s a new parent to do? How do you decide if it’s worth the effort or if it's even right for your family? Baby sign language … [Read more...]

The Simple Truth about Your Child’s Constant Questions

Communication

Jul 29, 2020

Do your kids bother you with question after question? Learn why a child's constant questions are actually good, and what you can do to nurture it. "What is time?" "Why is an orange a circle?" "How do people love each other when they're apart?" Your kids chase you around the house, even as you try to ignore them by reading a book or doing chores. Maybe you don't know how to explain how humans came to be or why life even started on earth. Other times, your child's constant questions do seem a bit silly or nonsensical. And it doesn't make answering these questions when you're busy and … [Read more...]

31 Awesome Conversation Starters for Kids

Communication

Jul 23, 2020

Looking for thoughtful conversation starters for kids? Learn more about your family through these 31 question prompts and simple topics. "Daddy's home!" the kids yelled when they heard the jingle of keys at the doorknob. I was equally elated to see my husband not only home, but in time for dinner to start. Before the pandemic, he wouldn't always be available to make it home in time for our five o'clock dinners. With work and an LA traffic-laden commute, it was always a treat when we got to spend a weeknight dinner together. Still, over the years, we've eaten most of our meals … [Read more...]

What to Do when You Tell Your Kids “No” Too Often

Behavior

Jul 05, 2020

Do you feel like the "mean parent" for telling your kids not to do this or that? Here's what to do when you tell your child no too often. "I tell him 'no' so much, sometimes even before he's done anything," a friend vented. "He'll have food in his hand, and I just know he's about to throw it on the ground," she reasoned. We've all found ourselves in a similar situation, telling our kids "no," sometimes even before they've misbehaved. Other times, we convince ourselves that they deliberately disobey all the time, forcing us to tell them "no"all day long. The word itself is less … [Read more...]

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