These 70+ life skills for teens are essential for making sure your child will be safe, confident, and self-sufficient when they leave home. One day you’re holding your baby in your arms and next you’re standing next to – or possibly looking up to – your teenager. Our time with our children is short and…
Most kids aren’t naturally responsible and need to be taught. Here are six tips for teaching responsibility to kids. If you’re like most parents you’ve probably dreamed of a world where your kids are more responsible: They pick up their toys without reminders Consistently place their laundry in the hamper instead of the floor Brush…
Getting kids to clean their messy room doesn’t need to be a constant battle. These five tips can help. Slowly you open the door to your child’s bedroom, bracing yourself for what’s beyond. As expected, clothes and socks cover the carpet, the bed is unmade, books and papers are strewn across the desk, and you…
A child’s basic needs include their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. All children need their basic needs met in order to thrive throughout childhood and adulthood. When a child’s social, emotional, and physical needs are met, they’re given a sure foundation on which to experience a happy childhood and achieve their full potential. It’s also…
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…
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…
Established family rules help everyone know what’s expected of them. Here’s your guide to best practices for developing and establishing your family’s rules. Plus, five rules every family should have. “No one told me I had to clean up!” my daughter exclaimed after I asked her to put away her paint, paper, and brushes strewn…
Family meetings build connection and closeness, teach kids life skills, and can be parents’ secret tool to encourage kids to be more cooperative. Here’s everything you need to know to start and run a successful family meeting. “We agreed upon it at our family meeting,” my friend explained when I asked how she gets her…
Kids and teens need to experience these ten life lessons before heading out into the world on their own. To see more ideas on how to raise confident, independent adults see: 15 Life Skills Kids Need Before They Leave Home (This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase the item,…