We all have bad parenting habits we need to break. See if you can relate to these habits that are easy to fall into—and how to avoid them. "Gotta stop doing that." I've said this so many times to myself. I know what I "should" be doing as a parent, but I sometimes keep repeating the same bad parenting habits I mean to break. You know they're pretty bad not so much because its consequences are dire, but because you keep telling yourself over and over not to do them anymore. It doesn't help when your fellow moms and peers seem to avoid these frustrations with no problem. And while … [Read more...]

Learn the warning signs of raising narcissistic children as well as tips on how to avoid a self-centric generation. "Look at me—I'm unique!" said one of the kids' picture books, whose topic is all about liking oneself. This normally wouldn't catch my attention, except I started to wonder whether extreme praise can lead to narcissism. Now, building self-worth isn't the same as promoting narcissism, nor should we raise kids to be "people pleasers." They should be reminded how one-of-a-kind they are in this world, and the special talents only they can deliver. We also want to boost their … [Read more...]

It's hard on everyone when we lose our tempers. See if you can relate to these unfair reasons we get mad at kids, and how to stop. I've regretted the times I've lost my temper with my kids, but more so when I yelled for unfair reasons. What do I mean by "unfair"? Of course, at the end of the day, angry outbursts aren't justified regardless of reason. But it's even more heartbreaking when we take our frustration out on our kids when they had little to do with what we're angry about. Think back to recent episodes when you yelled at your kids. Maybe they were making a ruckus right … [Read more...]

Want to remain close to your kids well into their adulthood? Here's how to build a close relationship with your child, starting now. Many years from now, we'll stop doing everything for our kids. They'll learn to follow their own paths and decisions, only turning to us for advice or support. They'll be teens and adults, and the majority of our parenting duties would have finished. In those years, what will your relationship become? And is there a way to create a close bond with your child now that extends into her adulthood? I'd like to think so. We can't choose our kids, their … [Read more...]

Getting mad and losing your temper aren't good for you or your kids. Learn how to discipline a child without yelling using this one technique. I was having a bad day. The kids were whining about whose turn it was to use the blue truck. I felt my body about to burst, and the next thing I knew, I was yelling at them to knock it off. Of course, I felt guilty for setting a bad example, and it didn't help when I later overheard one of them yelling the same way to his siblings. At some point, we'll all yell at our kids. Maybe we've been home alone with them and they're being loud and … [Read more...]

Are you a soon-to-be first-time mom? Discover the best advice for new parents that no one talks about—from fellow parents who've been there. Tell anyone you're about to be a new mom, and you'll likely hear tons of parenting advice. The coworker who tells you it's okay to feel overwhelmed, the friend who warns you not to rock your baby. You'll hear about milestones to keep an eye on, and what those flaps on onesies are actually for. But sometimes, it's the absence of advice for new parents that's most startling. How no one tells you the intense and almost shameful feelings you have … [Read more...]

Looking for habits to improve your parenting? Don't set large goals. Use small, actionable habits that, over time, will help you improve. Stop losing my temper. Pay more attention to the kids. Find more time for myself. These are resolutions we've all made at some point. But what happens? We forget or had too many goals to track, or we just lose motivation. These looming goals were too large to feel attainable, and we didn't have a concrete plan to actually make them happen. But what if we break these lofty goals into smaller resolutions to reach your parenting goals? Small habits to … [Read more...]