Communication Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

One Question You Should Always Ask before You Discipline Your Child

Jun 06, 2021

When your child misbehaves, is your first reaction to get mad? Learn what to ask before disciplining your child with this one simple question. Out of the blue, my toddler would hit his brother in the face, for no clear reason. Another one would throw little cars all over the table with no explanation given. They wouldn't stop fussing or crying, regardless of my many attempts to soothe them. Next thing I know, I was in discipline mode. I pointed out how their behavior was wrong, telling them to say "sorry" or forcing them to share the toy they were fighting over. What to ask before … [Read more...]

How to Get Kids to Listen Without Yelling and Losing Your Cool

Communication

Jun 01, 2021

Tired and guilty of yelling at your child to behave and follow instructions? Learn how to get kids to listen without yelling, and foster mutual respect instead. "Don't stand on your bed," I warned my son for what felt like the zillionth time. "You might fall and get hurt." Considering that he slept on the top bunk, this warning didn't come lightly. But sure enough, as soon as I started to leave, I turned around to peek in the room and found him standing once again. Every parent will remind her kids of the rules, only to (sometimes literally) turn around and find them doing exactly … [Read more...]

Warning: 5 Things You Tell Your Kids but Probably Shouldn’t

Communication

May 21, 2021

You'd never know that these phrases may not be the best to tell your child. Avoid these 5 things you tell your kids but probably shouldn't. We mean well when we talk to our kids. We think we're doing our job, providing support, and boosting their confidence. But it turns out, many of the often-said phrases we tell them may actually have the opposite effect and carry negative consequences. You'd never think so, especially since these phrases seem so innocent. Yet day after day, I still catch myself saying one of them. 5 things you tell your kids but probably shouldn't Of course, this … [Read more...]

How to Work Through Parenting Disagreements (without Losing Your Mind)

Communication

Apr 15, 2021

Are different parenting styles causing problems in your relationship? Learn how to handle parenting disagreements without losing your mind! Parenthood changes relationships, doesn't it? Even if you and your partner hardly fought before having kids, all that likely changed once you found yourselves raising a baby together. The challenges go beyond infancy, too—you may not agree with how to discipline, or whose career takes precedence over the other. You're not alone. Nearly every relationship faces difficulties the minute kids enter the scene. And no wonder—take a look at some of the … [Read more...]

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

Communication

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...]

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