Do you react and get angry with your child, then feel guilty about it? Learn how to respond with intentional parenting to stay calm. "You're mean!" my son yelled at me. Apparently, he didn't like that I wanted to apply sunblock on him so we could go to school. He had been reading a book and wanted me to start on his brother first. But even when I suggested I apply the sunblock while he reads, he stomped out of the room. The thing is, I wasn't in the mood to deal with it. I felt stressed about work and had my own emotional weight to carry—now I had to deal with this, too? The most … [Read more...]

Do you feel tired all the time? Here are smart ways to cope with sleep deprivation and fatigue. A must-read for parents who feel exhausted! In the many years I've been a parent, I've had my share of tired days. When you're yawning your sleepiness away, or feel that tingle in your eyes because they want to shut themselves. Even once the kids were sleeping through the night, I still couldn't blame them for my sleep deprivation. Take, for instance, the glorious weeks after I sleep-trained the twins. No longer bound by their frequent wake ups, I now had the hours after 8pm to myself. … [Read more...]

Want to be a good parent? Discover the 7 positive parenting skills that are crucial to raising a well-rounded, happy child. We've all questioned our parenting skills in one way or another. Maybe it was when your toddler was so upset she refused to get up off the floor and finally leave the park, or she wouldn't eat dinner but threw a fit instead. It feels like all you do is yell at your kids, because that's the only thing that seems to work. The worst is when they've finally fallen asleep from a long, draining day, and you're filled with remorse, wishing you could wake them up and … [Read more...]

Not all parenting advice or beliefs are all that helpful! See if you're following these 5 parenting myths — and what you can do to avoid them. Have you ever said or thought these comments? "I can't seem to control his temper tantrums." "I just want my kids to be happy." "You're such a good boy!" What if I told you they're misguided? That it's parenting myths like these—so ingrained in society—that can lead to trouble for you and your child? If you have, you're not alone. I, like many parents, believed certain truths about being a mom. I thought I was doing what was right, and … [Read more...]