Do you nag about everyday little things like taking a bath or putting dishes away? Here's how to stop nagging your child to get things done. Three hours. That's how long your child has to get everything done after school. This includes finishing homework, tidying her room, and eating her snack. But despite this stretch of time, you still need to nag her every step of the way. You have no idea why an assignment takes her two hours when the recommended time is a mere 30 minutes. You'll find her playing in the backyard instead of cleaning her mess like you asked her to. And she … [Read more...]
What to Do when Your Child Disrespects You
Tired of the backtalk from your kids? Learn what to do when your child disrespects you and how to rebuild your relationship. The Terrible Two's. The Threenager stage. When kids were younger, we could chalk their snarky attitude to "it's just a stage." But after a while, that stage can get out of hand. Kids can be disrespectful, no matter how many times we've tried to teach them otherwise. And the attitude sometimes stems from a major change in the home—not exactly something we could erase. Regardless of the reason, it's difficult for everyone involved. Both parent and child seem to … [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 she's still having a blast. How do you know when to intervene with family and friends—adults who may overwhelm your child but not know it? It's tricky dealing with family and friends with setting boundaries for … [Read more...]
The Simple Truth about Your Child’s Constant Questions
Do your kids bother you with question after question? Learn why a child's constant questions are actually good, and what you can do to nurture it. "What is time?" "Why is an orange a circle?" "How do people love each other when they're apart?" Your kids chase you around the house, even as you try to ignore them by reading a book or doing chores. Maybe you don't know how to explain how humans came to be or why life even started on earth. Other times, your child's constant questions do seem a bit silly or nonsensical. And it doesn't make answering these questions when you're busy and … [Read more...]
Why You Need to Respond when Adults Tease Your Child
Do adults tease your child, even with good intention? Learn why you need to respond to others' teasing and how to do so firmly yet tactfully. You're at a family party, and grandpa teases your child and pretends to take away his toy. He means well, as most adults do when they try to make kids laugh, but now the teasing has grown out of hand and your child is getting upset. On one hand, you don't want to be that parent everyone has to be careful about with what they say to her kids. So you laugh it off, while still dropping enough hints that it's time to stop the teasing. But you … [Read more...]
How to Stop Your Child from Interrupting and What to Do Instead
Does your child interrupt conversations, whether between adults or children? Learn how to stop your child from interrupting, all without a meltdown. I was sitting across from my husband during family dinner time discussing the next day's schedule. Just as I was trying to get my head straight on what to pack for lunch or what time swim classes start, the kids cut in. "I colored and glued butterflies on paper!" "This broccoli?" "Aaaaahhh!" In most cases, my kids don't know any better about interrupting. They say what's on their mind at that moment, regardless of timing or … [Read more...]
3 Ways We Unintentionally Disrespect Our Kids
No parent would disrespect her child on purpose, but sometimes we do so without knowing. Check out these three ways we unintentionally disrespect kids — and what to do instead. Would you say you disrespect your kids? If you're like me, you would assume no, of course not. I love my kids and would never disrespect them. I wouldn't want others to do so, much less me. 3 ways we unintentionally disrespect kids Except sometimes we disrespect our kids without even knowing it. We mean well and may not see how our words and actions affect them, or we overlook the consequences of our … [Read more...]
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Child’s Emotions
How often do we reassure our kids by saying "It's okay"? We try to make them feel better, but don't ignore children's emotions — here's why. "Let's go to the beach!" I suggested to my toddler on a recent day off. The weather had finally started warming up, and I wanted to sit on the sand and hear the waves slapping back and forth. I packed up our blanket and toys, slathered on some sunscreen and headed out. But once I set my toddler down on the sand on his bare feet, he cried, "Want to carry up!" He didn't want to stand on the sand. Irritated, I carried my 30-plus pound toddler and a … [Read more...]