Development Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

8 Tips for Your Child’s First Haircut at a Salon

Nov 15, 2020

Getting a haircut at a salon can be overwhelming for kids. Learn how to make your child's first haircut at a salon a fun experience. There was no denying it: My son needed a haircut. I'd been saving a ton of money by avoiding the salon, but my home cuts just aren't, well... cutting it anymore. It was time for his first haircut at a salon. I avoided formal haircuts for over two years, thanks to the texture of his wavy hair that hid even the most lopsided, uneven haircuts I gave at home. But when a heat rash showed up on the back of his neck, I knew there was no way I'd be able to snip off … [Read more...]

10 Ways to Encourage Fine Motor Skills for 5 Year Olds

Activities

Oct 20, 2020

Fine motor skills activities for 5-6 year olds are important as kids enter kindergarten. Encourage hand dexterity—even with an active child—with these fun activities! If you're like most parents, how your child holds a pencil may not be top of mind. But once she enters kindergarten, you suddenly notice how well the other kids hold theirs in comparison. You also realize that she can't write her name well, much less cut with scissors (and forget about pulling a zipper). Come to think of it, you don't even know what her dominant hand is yet. Or perhaps it's the opposite: you're well … [Read more...]

How to Encourage Autonomy in Children

Development

Oct 09, 2020

Giving kids more control will nurture a love of learning and responsibility. Learn how to encourage autonomy in children with these tips. Want to know the one thing we need to stop doing if we want to encourage our children's love of learning? We all do it, hidden even with the best of intentions. It happens when we: Bribe them to do something with an incentive Threaten to confiscate a treasured item if they don't obey Hover over their actions to make sure they do it right Judge their emotions, behaviors and even personalities Give rewards for accomplishments Praise … [Read more...]

What to Do When Your Child Doesn’t Like What Other Kids Typically Do

Development

Sep 22, 2020

It can feel worrisome when you see your child not interested in things other kids seem to love. Here's what to do when your child doesn't like what other kids typically do. My family got together at my mom's house for a little swim party. "Perfect!" I thought. "This will be a great opportunity for the kiddo to splash around in the pool." With his swim shorts and sunscreen packed and ready, we headed to my mom's. Except when we arrived, he took one look at the pool and belted, "No—don't want to swim!" I wasn't too surprised. He had been fighting a few of his baths, crying if even a few … [Read more...]

Unique Ways to Meet the Emotional Needs of Your Child

Development

Sep 08, 2020

Meeting the emotional needs of a child raises well-rounded, competent, and capable kids. Discover 7 unique ways to nurture your child's emotional needs. Fewer tantrums, more listening, getting along with others... every parent wants nearly the same things from their kids, things we think are rooted in their behavior. Want less tantrums? Put your foot down. And while these tips and tricks are the actions we take to course-correct, they stem from a deeper reason why kids behave that way in the first place. For instance, why do they throw tantrums? More importantly, why is it that showing … [Read more...]

4 Benefits of Teaching Kids Responsibility

Development

Jun 19, 2020

Teaching kids responsibility is an important task in raising self-sufficient kids. Read four real benefits they get (plus parenting tips to put into action). I had a problem: I was doing everything for my kids. The day would go by much quicker, after all. Tying their laces? I could do it in five seconds. Pulling up their pants? They'd get their undies all tangled. And leaving my eldest to do the dishes on his own meant finding soap residue on the plates. For the longest time, I even thought I was supposed to do everything. That I'm doing a great job by being a hands-on mom. The parent … [Read more...]

Search