Sibling jealousy over the new baby seems understandable, but what do you do when a few years have passed and your child is still jealous? Perhaps you're exhausted with your older child's jealousy and need for constant attention. Even when you were pregnant, he was already apprehensive about his baby brother's arrival. Just as you predicted, he didn't take to the new baby at all. Like many parents, you figured the stage would pass, but four years later, the bond you hoped to nurture is still buried beneath the sibling jealousy he feels. He behaves well in every other way, but when it … [Read more...]
5 Useful Tools to Teach Impulse Control for Kids
Do you wish your child would think before acting more often? Learn how to teach impulse control for kids with these 5 useful tools. It's never too late to help your impulsive child! Wondering what age kids typically stop to think before acting? You're not alone. Many parents struggle with impulse control for kids, despite using time-outs, positive reinforcement, or removing privileges. Perhaps your child grabs toys from other kids or pushes them for no reason. Or maybe he doesn't think twice about touching something hot or dirty, or he can't seem to stay away from the items you keep … [Read more...]
How to Teach Your Child to Be Assertive
Assertiveness for kids is an important social skill to teach. Discover effective techniques to help your child assert himself and voice his opinions, whether to 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. The boy didn't relent, and pressed for 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 … [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. This last time, it was Superman. Each new toy my husband gave our twins became the Hot Item they had to fight over. Never mind that they also received other superheroes—they always wanted what the other person had. While newborn twins are hard, the toddler and preschool years with twins can be just as challenging, especially when they fight all the time. It's enough to make any mom feel like … [Read more...]
How to Stop Tattling
Does your child tell on other kids for every little thing? Learn how to stop tattle telling in your child 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," my three-year-old would report about his brother. Or we'd be sitting at the dining table and he'd say, "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 staying quiet in bed." The tattling was getting out of … [Read more...]
How to Stop Children from Biting
Have you found your child biting other kids or even adults? Biting is normal, but you can still learn how to stop children biting when you apply these 6 important steps. My twins' preschool teacher wanted to talk at school pickup, which is usually not a good sign. But I figured, Ok, maybe one of them had a potty accident. Nope. "Today, I saw one of your boys about to bite his brother on the arm," she began. "And a few days ago another boy said he'd bitten him during circle time." Turns out my little guy was biting other kids. I've noticed it myself as well at home. He's usually … [Read more...]
How to Get Your Child to Help with Younger Siblings
What do you do when older kids refuses to help with younger siblings? Follow these tips to encourage your child to help willingly and on her own. The image of the responsible older child helping with younger siblings? It wasn't happening for SSBE reader, Isabella. She wrote: Hi Nina! I have 3 year old twins, and a 13 year old daughter. My 13-year-old doesn't like helping out with the younger kids and I don't know how to get her to play and interact with them. Hats off to Isabella for reaching out with what can only be a frustrating experience. And here's what I told her: How to get your … [Read more...]
What to Do if Your Child Is Talking in Class Too Much
What do you do if your child is talking in class too much? Help her focus, pay attention, and learn in class with these gentle and effective tips. Jeanette saw the dreaded teacher's note. As usual, it said her child had been disrupting the class again with her nonstop talking. She was also getting left behind because she was missing or misunderstanding instructions. When your child is talking in class too much Jeanette tried punishment, which never seemed to work. And both she and her teacher recognized her daughter is a bright girl. But she was running out of ideas on how to get her … [Read more...]