Tired of your children fighting, from arguments to hitting each other? Apply these tips on how to stop kids from fighting once and for all. Hands down, hearing my kids fight is one of my biggest triggers. You know, the kind that makes you snap, yell "Just stop it already!" or hide in your room. And it's always for the weirdest reasons, too. For instance, here are some of the things my kids have fought about: When one copied another's drawing of Darth Vader Whether a banana and an apple do (or do not) make the number "10" Whose turn it was to read from the Harry Potter trivia … [Read more...]
How to Get Your Child to Help with Younger Siblings
What do you do when your older child won't help with younger siblings? Follow these tips to encourage her to help willingly and on her own. The image of the responsible older child helping with younger siblings? It's not exactly happening for you. She's capable and independent enough to pitch in when her younger siblings need it, but she simply doesn't like helping out. And forget about asking her to play or interact with them. And you could definitely use the help. You might be on a phone call or nursing the baby when her younger sister says she can't peel her banana. Even getting … [Read more...]
How to Stop Your Child from Biting Others
Have you found your toddler biting other kids or even adults? Here are 7 important steps on how to stop your child from biting others. My twins' teacher wanted to talk at preschool pickup, which is usually not a good sign. But I figured, Ok, maybe one of them had a potty accident. Nope. "Today, one of your boys was about to bite his brother on the arm," she began. "And another child said he'd bitten him during circle time." I turned out that my little guy was biting other kids. I'd also noticed it at home, especially when he was excited and tried to bite my hand or arm. I'd … [Read more...]
Children’s Books about Acceptance — Of Others and Yourself
Want to teach your child the importance of diversity? Check out these children's books about acceptance and embracing our unique traits. Kids notice the slightest details about others. From the way a person looks, walks, talks and acts, they learn the differences that separate us. They also mention the obvious, even things that may be socially inappropriate. But rather than see these traits as divisions, we should celebrate them instead, both in others and in ourselves. Answer with the truth when they ask about other people's differences, speaking to their level. For instance, if … [Read more...]
Attention Parents: Playground Rules Everyone Should Follow
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 even … [Read more...]
How to Get Your Twins to Stop Fighting
Frustrated with your twins fighting all the time, especially when nothing seems to work? Learn the essential habits that will encourage them to get along. First it was Spiderman, then Batman, and finally, Superman. Each new toy my husband and I gave our twins became the Hot Item they had to fight over. It seemed like they wanted whichever superhero the other person had. While infant twins are hard, older twins can be challenging as well, especially when they fight all the time. It's enough to make any mom feel like she's losing her mind. And it doesn't help when the fighting seems to be … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Child Is Rejected by Peers
Your child is social and wants to make friends... but other kids aren't interested. Here's how to help your child rejected by peers. You're sitting at the park bench, watching your little girl run around in the playground. She finds two kids hunched over buckets, shovels, and heaps of sand, and skips to them, ready to join. But instead of welcoming her into their play, they ignore her and even tell her to go away. So, she leaves, and before long finds another child to talk to. But even this boy shows no signs of interest and prefers to play alone. She returns to you, confused and … [Read more...]
Children’s Books about Being a Good Friend
Building friendships important skill children need to learn. Read these children's books about being a good friend to remind your kids the values of being kind to others. Navigating friendship can be difficult for kids. They're quick to change best friends, can be mean to one another, and deal with emotions they may not understand at this age. They blurt frank words, exclude others who are different, or don't understand how a strong friendship could end so suddenly. Maybe they see other kids who could use a friend but don't know how to help them. But kids can also be some of the best … [Read more...]