Do’s and don’t for homework time.

Does your child ever…fidget? How about drum fingers, tap pencils, hum, sing, squirm, bounce legs, twirl hair, chew on pen caps or lips or other objects, rock in a chair, doodle, and move constantly? Can this be annoying? Often. Is this wrong? Not at all. Is this...
A letter from your child.

A letter from your child.

Dear Mom and Dad, I want you to know what it’s like to be me. My brain runs like a washing machine powered by a Ferrari engine, tumbling ideas like shirts and pants and socks mixed together. Sometimes I have so many thoughts swimming in my head that I blurt out...
When your child is screaming at you…

When your child is screaming at you…

Instead of hearing your child screaming AT YOU, hear your child screaming OUT TO YOU for help. Because most of the time, your child is looking at you and this is what they are really saying: “I am so frustrated and angry and stressed right now…and I don’t know how to...

How to motivate strong-willed children.

When we try to force kids into a box, it causes power struggles and crushes spirits. Many strong-willed children desire ownership and like challenges. They are very purposeful. Strong-willed children often feel like everyone and everything is against them. They need...

Calm upset children? Sit down.

This is simple. And it works. Yes, just sit down. The quickest way to change your child’s behavior is to first change your own. Adjusting your body posture will change your child’s reaction. Try this one simple strategy to stop power struggles. Sit down. Sometimes we...

The beat of a different drummer.

When my son was younger, I didn’t like him. He wasn’t the kid I expected or wanted. But now? I wrote the following one night after peeking in at my son sleeping. I encourage you to do the same. I hope you will discover some common feelings toward your child. The Beat...