Communication Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

What to Do when Your Child Disrespects You

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...]

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...]

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