While parents have many powers over their children, one I would invite them to consider is the power they have to frame and reframe the ways they speak to their children. Parents are framing the world and their descriptions of their children all the time. How intentional this framing is becomes the issue. So, how […]
When Your Kids Make a Mistake
Today, I wrote a blog about why kids misbehave…an eternal concern of parents. It often is because they LIE, not that they are necessarily untruthful, but because they Lack judgment, are Impulsive and Egocentric (self-centered.) This concept can provide a general explanation for many of the difficult or challenging behaviors of children. Too, knowing this […]
Parents, What Can You Do When You Feel Helpless?
I heard a wailing child baby. I was looking out my bedroom window to locate the sound and soon the scene unfolded in front of me. A young father was pushing a stroller, and the child in it was twisting and turning and reaching for him while she screamed at the top of her lungs. […]
Do You Know What It Means to Parent Gently?
I was struck by a sermon I heard this week in which the pastor talked about how the quality of gentleness has been emphasized repeatedly in the Bible. Basically, we are admonished to be gentle, even when facing times of frustration, impatience, disappointment, and anger. (If you Google the Bible and put in the keyword […]
Why Kids Procrastinate
See if any of these words sound familiar: “What do you mean you haven’t even begun this report that is due tomorrow? You’ve known for a month!” “You went up to your room to clean it an hour ago and you haven’t even begun!” “We only have a day left to submit the application for […]
5 Steps to Take When Your Child Has an Emotional Seizure and Shuts Down
A mom shared with me an experience she had earlier in the day. Her eight-year-old son had wanted to stop at McDonald’s and was overridden by the family vote to go to Wendy’s instead. The mom said she knew what was coming as soon as he began to protest loudly. He would eventually scream at […]
Legalizing Abuse? How Can We Expect to Stop Violence?
Recently someone shared the following link from Fox News with me containing the headline “Texas School District Approves Paddling for Misbehaving Students.” The article begins with the following: “Officials at a Texas school district have approved a controversial new disciplinary practice on students: paddling. The Three Rivers Independent School board of trustees in South Texas […]
The Unique Gift of Giving Wishes in Fantasy
What I am about to share is a little bit tricky and requires some judgment on the part of parents. However, it can be a way to appreciate what children wish for without arguing with them about why they shouldn’t have these desires. Arguing is unhelpful, but here is one thing you can. do Back […]
Ever Heard of “Okay” Sensitivity?
“Give your sister a turn, okay?” “It’s time to get ready for bed, okay?” “You can say those things out loud to your teacher, okay?” Do you find yourself speaking with “okay” questions? How often do parents end their sentences with the question, “Okay?” when they are informing their children of expectations, making a demand […]
What Do You Think? Responsible or Obedient?
Most parents accept promoting a sense of responsibility in their children as one of their roles. We all want our children to be responsible for certain chores… …like doing their school work well, or cleaning up their rooms—what we expect our children to be responsible for can be an extensive list. In the excellent book […]
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