Communication Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

Why We Need to Stop Telling Boys to “Man Up”

Apr 02, 2021

Want to raise strong, confident boys? Stop telling boys to man up. Learn the downsides of telling a boy to be a man and what to do instead. We value a certain kind of boy. The ambitious and popular boy all the girls have a crush on. The class clown who can make anyone laugh, and of course the boy who won't back down from insults or harsh words. Being ambitious, popular, funny, or assertive isn't the problem, but hiding other aspects of being a boy in the name of "manning up" is. The documentary The Mask You Live In addresses these issues and how often we tell boys to man up (even … [Read more...]

How to Teach Your Child to Make Good Choices

Communication

Mar 06, 2021

Making good decisions is like any other skill—it has to be learned. Get tips on helping children make good choices and think critically. 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 fire truck. And when her six-year-old refuses to follow directions, she's prepared with a slew of punishments to teach her a lesson. It's like we're on lookout for anything wrong our kids can do, and … [Read more...]

18 Sneaky Questions to Ask Kids about School

Communication

Mar 05, 2021

Are you met with silence when you ask your child about her day at school? Check out these 18 effective questions to ask kids about school. If your child is like mine and you ask her, "How was school?" her response—every day—would be "Good." Not a single change from one day to the next. One time I even asked one of my kids, "What did you do today?" and he still said, "Good." Clearly, we were having communication issues here. I don't mean to pry—I just want my kids to talk and gauge what they liked and didn't like. To see where they struggled, and the general flow of their day. I … [Read more...]

Why You Shouldn’t Say “Good Job!” to Kids (and What to Say Instead)

Communication

Feb 19, 2021

You probably hear and say "Good job!" all the time. Discover why doing so may not be a good idea and what you can say instead. I'm one of those parents who would say "Good job!" over every little thing. Some are worthy accomplishments like playing well with one another, and others not-so-worthy like when I just don't know what else to say. It's understandable why we say "Good job" all the time. We're proud of our kids and amazed with what they do. We want to promote positive behavior and hope to boost their self-esteem and confidence. But could saying "Good job!" and other similar … [Read more...]

How to Stop Nagging Your Child to Get Things Done

Communication

Jan 31, 2021

Do you nag about everyday little things like taking a bath or putting dishes away? Here's how to stop nagging your child to get things done. Three hours. That's how long your child has to get everything done after school. This includes finishing homework, tidying her room, and eating her snack. But despite this stretch of time, you still need to nag her every step of the way. You have no idea why an assignment takes her two hours when the recommended time is a mere 30 minutes. You'll find her playing in the backyard instead of cleaning her mess like you asked her to. And she … [Read more...]

What to Do when Your Child Disrespects You

Communication

Dec 25, 2020

Tired of the backtalk from your kids? Learn what to do when your child disrespects you and how to rebuild your relationship. The Terrible Two's. The Threenager stage. When kids were younger, we could chalk their snarky attitude to "it's just a stage." But after a while, that stage can get out of hand. Kids can be disrespectful, no matter how many times we've tried to teach them otherwise. And the attitude sometimes stems from a major change in the home—not exactly something we could erase. Regardless of the reason, it's difficult for everyone involved. Both parent and child seem to … [Read more...]

Are You Responding Correctly when Your Child Says a Bad Word?

Communication

Nov 10, 2020

Has your child stumped you by blurting out a bad word, whether innocently or intentionally? Learn how to respond correctly to a child using bad language. From outright R-rated words to the less offensive, hearing your child say a bad word can feel shocking. First, you're surprised, maybe even guilty because there's a good chance you know where he must've picked it up from. Then, you react and discipline him regardless of whether he said it with intention or not. Other times, he's not even aware that he said a bad word, but know that he's triggered something in you based on your … [Read more...]

Why You Shouldn’t Tell Your Child to Stop Crying

Communication

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...]

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