Some comments can drive parents crazy. See if you're guilty of saying these 4 things you shouldn't say about other people's children. As parents, we get a ton of comments from others, whether loved ones or strangers, about our kids. Some of these we can laugh it off, such as when we can't help but agree. Others though need to be addressed, perhaps in defense of our kids or for thoughtlessness. The rest just drive us crazy. (Read more about being carefree in parenthood.) 4 things you shouldn't say about other people's children In most cases, people don't say these comments with … [Read more...]
Why Commercial Toys Aren’t as Bad as I Assumed
You always hear how marketing departments spend billions of dollars selling to kids and stocking shelves with recognizable characters, from Elsa to Spiderman. These tactics have led some parents to avoid commercial toys for kids and advertising whenever possible, fearing the repercussions, from obesity to lack of creative play. Yet here I was, actively selecting a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles water bottle for my five-year-old. I wasn't always like this. I was the opposite, eschewing commercial toys, clothes and books in favor of their generic counterparts. Any characters that made its … [Read more...]
Why You Should Always Intervene when Adults Overwhelm Your Child
Have you had to step in when adults overwhelm your child? It may feel awkward or frustrating, but here's why you need to intervene—and how. Imagine a family party and everyone is playing with the younger member, a two-year-old child. Grandpa is bouncing her up in his arms in what started as a game but has now been too much for her. Unfortunately, grandpa is oblivious and thinks the little girl is still having a blast. How do parents know when to intervene with family and friends—adults who may overwhelm kids but not know it? It's tricky dealing with family and friends with setting … [Read more...]
23 Children’s Books about Being a Good Friend
Being a good friend to others is an important skill children need to learn. Read these 23 children's books about being a good friend to remind your kids the values of being kind to others. At school drop off the other week, I overheard a conversation between two moms. The first was praising the other one's daughter for having been a good friend to her son. My boy says the same about this little girl—how she helped him out in the classroom and "filled his bucket." She's popular among the kids because she's warm, kind and a good friend. Think back to your own childhood friendships. Maybe … [Read more...]
Scared at Extracurricular Activities: How to Help Your Child Cope
You hoped the lessons and classes would be fun. Instead, your clingy 3 year old feels scared at extracurricular activities. Here's how to cope: Jennifer didn't get it. Her three-year-old daughter is a champ with day care drop offs. She has no problem saying goodbye to her mom every morning. She tried enrolling her in soccer, swim classes, and gym activities. But in every extracurricular activity she's enrolled her in, her daughter clings to her for dear life. She wants her daughter to enjoy these activities, grow independent and build her confidence. But she's getting discouraged. … [Read more...]
9 Playground Rules You and Your Kids Should Remember
Playgrounds can be fun, but they can also feel chaotic. Check out these 9 playground rules to remember so everyone plays nicely with others. The playground—one of the best ways to keep the kids active, right? It's free, it's outdoors, and kids are left to their own creative devices. Except sometimes spending time at the playground doesn't go so smoothly. Too many kids clamor up the jungle gym, older kids collide with toddlers, and parents are oblivious to their kids' antics. Wouldn't it be awesome to have playground rules everyone can follow? If you and your kids are alone or … [Read more...]
18 Children’s Books about Acceptance — Of Others and Yourself
These 18 children's books about acceptance show your kids how to accept and embrace our differences. Kids notice the slightest details about others. From the way a person looks, walks, talks and acts, they learn the differences that separate us. But rather than see those as divisions, kids can celebrate them instead, both in others and in themselves. How should we respond when kids ask about other people's differences? Answer with the truth, speaking to their level. Kids mention the obvious, even those socially inappropriate. So when your child notices her playmate's … [Read more...]
What You Need to Know about Peer Rejection
Your child is social and wants to make friends... but other kids aren't interested. Here's how to help your child handle peer rejection from other children. I was sitting at the park bench watching a little girl run around in the playground. She found two girls hunched over buckets, shovels and heaps of sand. She skipped to them, ready to join. But instead of welcoming her into their play, they ignored her and even told her to go away. So she left, and before long she found another child to talk to. But even this boy showed no signs of interest and preferred to play alone. The … [Read more...]