Connecting with kids is essential for being a positive influence in their lives and having a peaceful relationship. Here are five ways to achieve a connection with your child. Most parents hope they’ll form a strong bond with their child. That they’ll be able to share advice with them about being true to oneself, living…
There are four things parents do out of a sense of love for their children that may, in fact, cause low self-esteem. Here’s what they are and how to avoid them. As parents, we want nothing more than for our children to be happy, healthy, and have a positive self-image. But sometimes, without realizing it,…
Building a strong parent child relationship requires five key elements that not only bond us to our children but improve our ability to coach, guide, and discipline them. Imagine this: A relationship with your child where you feel at ease, have open and honest dialogue, and consistently share mutual respect and trust. The kind of…
Raising an independent child not only defies conventional parenting advice, it also leads to a more peaceful and positive parent-child relationship. Ask parents what character traits they’d most like to see in their kids and independence and responsibility top the list. But what most parents don’t realize is that in order to raise kids with…
It is possible to model and teach kids respect without allowing them to walk all over us. Here are four ways to make that happen. “You’re stupid!” your child yells as she crosses her arms and stomps her feet, giving you the stink eye. Your offense? Telling her that she needs to wait to have…
The word “consequence” in parenting has come to mean different things to different people. But in order to truly teach kids a lesson, a consequence must have certain characteristics. “Kids need to experience the consequences of their actions.” For any parent whose goal it is to raise a self-sufficient child, those words ring true. Our…
Understanding the difference between punishment and discipline and why it matters can help guide us towards more effective parenting. It’s not unusual for parents to be confused by the differences between punishment and discipline. In our modern language the two words are often used interchangeably, even though they originally meant very different things. And when…
Having a disobedient child can be frustrating, to say the least. Inside are four steps you can take to help address your child’s misbehavior and turn that behavior around. Having a disobedient child is one of the most aggravating, irritating, stressful, and downright frustrating parenting experiences. Especially if it seems our child is chronically disobedient:…
Strong problem-solving skills are essential for our kids to navigate the world independently. And as our children grow in their ability to problem-solve, they’ll demonstrate greater autonomy and responsibility, making parenting easier. Problem-solving is one of nine important 21st-century skills our kids need. Click the link to see the full list. Mom, I forgot my…
Letting our kids experience the natural consequences of their decisions and actions can strengthen their confidence and self-sufficiency – but only when our kids are developmentally ready and only in certain circumstances. It’s a beautiful, sunny day and your daughter is eager to do one of her favorite things: ride around your neighborhood on her…
Many parents try to use consequences to change their child’s misbehavior but find they’re ineffective. Here’s why that happens, how to determine when a consequence will be effective, and seven alternative parenting tools that often work better. Your daughter has been playing with Magnatiles for the past hour. You love that she’s so engaged in…
It is possible to teach responsibility and stop doing everything for your children. Here are three ways to lead your kids towards greater independence. “It’s time to get up!” you exclaim for the fourth time as you stick your head into your thirteen-year-old son’s bedroom. Every morning it’s a struggle to get him out of…
Kind but firm parenting involves setting clear limits for kids while also maintaining a strong, healthy relationship. Here’s how to do it. With a big smile on his face, your five-year-old takes a handful of sand, stands up, and gleefully throws it into the air. He’s in awe over the way the grains scatter in…
Inside: Tips and insights about how to help your child cope with failure while still encouraging them to keep trying. “You can do it!” I yelled, hands cupped around my mouth, as my daughter swam toward a float 100 yards offshore. This was our third summer spending a week at a rustic lake-side camp up…