Does your child tell on other kids for every little thing? Learn how to stop tattling with these tips and telling on others once and for all. It was starting to get predictable. I'd leave the twins to cook in the kitchen when one of them would follow after a few minutes. "He was jumping on the couch," he'd report about his brother. Or we'd be sitting at the dining table and he'd point out, "He's playing with his water cup." Sometimes he'd even start the day with yet another report before saying hello: "He was talking instead of being quiet in bed." The tattling was getting out of … [Read more...]
How to Teach Toddlers to Share
Not sharing with other kids and family members is common with children. Learn how to teach toddlers to share with these 7 practical tips. Toddlers are notorious for not sharing. They won't let other kids play with their sand toys and refuse to let go of the steering wheel at the park. They hold tight to their belongings—even if they weren't interested in them a minute ago. Normal as it may be with a child's development, we still want to teach toddlers to share with other children and siblings. My youngest two—being twins—learned how to share and take turns be default. Add in my … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Child Refuses to Apologize
Wondering what to do when your child refuses to apologize? Discover positive ways to handle the situation without forcing him to say sorry. My son wasn't in the best of moods. It was one of those, "Let me whine about the littlest things" days. He and his dad were rough housing when he hit his dad with a plastic toy. Right away the air changed from giddiness to tension, and he was in no mood to be schooled. Still, I knelt down to his eye level and said, "We don't hit other people." Okay, so far so good. "Daddy got sad and hurt when you hit him," I continued. When he continued to throw … [Read more...]
Why Kids Shouldn’t Be Forced to Share (And What to Do Instead)
Do you make your children share when they fight, or because you think it's polite? Head's up: See why kids shouldn't be forced to share. My two-year-old was scooping sand at the park when another toddler walked over, stood nearby, and clearly wanted to have a turn with the shovel. Now, in the past I would've felt inclined to encourage my son to share the shovel with the boy. After all, we want to teach generosity and sharing, and another child wanting the shovel seemed like a good opportunity. But at that point, I knew better. Because I'll let you in on a little secret: I don't … [Read more...]
How to Handle Children’s Social Conflicts
Seeing kids argue can be awkward and uncomfortable. Learn how to handle children's social conflicts (and why you shouldn't always step in). No one likes to see their child in a skirmish with another one. But when you witness social conflict, see if you can turn this awkward moment into an opportunity. Maybe it's the little girl who takes every item out of your child's hands, or the boy who wants to "borrow" her shovel. Another child approaches your child despite her desire to play alone. Children's social conflicts can happen closer to home, too. How do you handle scuffles with … [Read more...]
Children’s Books about Birthday Parties
Whether your child loves parties or is overwhelmed by it all, here are children's books about birthday parties to prepare for the day. Whether your child can't wait to go to a party or must be coerced to go ("There will be cake!"), these children's books about birthday parties just might let him know that parties are fun. Because here's a shocker: Not every kid likes birthday parties. Some might be downright opposed to this whole birthday party business. Maybe your child likes attending birthday parties but dreads having one thrown for himself. The idea of being the center of … [Read more...]
Top Challenges (and Solutions!) for Sibling Rivalry
Fed up with your children fighting all the time? Learn how to stop the bickering with these effective sibling rivalry solutions! The things my kids fight about almost seem comical. They fight about who gets to hop inside the van first to whose turn it is to play with a quarter-inch Lego piece. Other times it's the rude tone of voices that sets them off, or a comment taken as teasing and taunting. Perhaps you can relate. It feels like your kids are always fighting or tattling on one another. Every minute, someone is running up to tell you how the other was being mean. And forget about … [Read more...]
How to Teach Your Child to Be Assertive
Making sure children know they have a voice is an important task. Learn how to teach your child to be assertive, with peers or adults. At the park, an older child noticed my twins playing with sticks they had found on the ground. "I want that," he said, pointing to one of the sticks my son held in his hand. "Here," my son replied, handing him the shorter stick. Even then, the boy didn't relent, insisting he have the longer stick. At that point, I did something I knew I shouldn't have done: I stepped in. "Actually, that's his stick," I told the boy. "Maybe you can find another … [Read more...]