Chores are just a reality of life. They make the home function smoothly, and some are pretty basic life skills that teach kids how to work. If you are tempted to do too much for your kids, you are not properly preparing them for adulthood. But kids who are taught to do chores consistently will…
10 Healthy Habits for Parents
Parents are usually all about instilling healthy habits into their kids, but wait a minute! What about YOU, Mom and Dad? As you work to teach your kids good lifestyle habits, don’t neglect your own physical, mental, and spiritual health. Perhaps you’ve never stopped to think about it and trying to figure out what those…
The Pluses and the Minuses of Parenting
Would you say your parenting leans toward the plus or the minus? Parents that lean towards the plus side often deal with their challenges by adding more to their plate. They want tips to help them control their own anger, suggestions for discipline tactics, and ideas for running a smooth home. They think that the…
How to Parent a Screaming Child
Have you ever cringed when you heard a screaming child in the grocery store or restaurant? Can’t they control their child? Or worse, has your child been the one screaming in public and you are caught between embarrassment and extreme frustration? Maybe your child decided that screaming at home or in the car would get…
Dealing with Kids Who Dawdle
Do you have kids who dawdle? How many times a day do you hear yourself telling them to “hurry up”? Do they dilly-dally when you are in a hurry to get out the door? Do they dawdle in the morning when you are trying to get them to school on time? Do they seem to…
Name-Calling: Kids Who Call Each Other Things Like Stupid, Idiot, Dummy, and Butt-head
Name calling may seem like a trivial offense. After all, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”—right? WRONG. Yes, our society believes in freedom of speech, but that can be a slippery slope. Studies give evidence that name-calling can lead to anger, violence, withdrawal, and fear. Words do matter….
Help Your Child Learn About Being Assertive
Being assertive means being positive and confident. You are aware that you are a worthy person with your own special gifts. You think for yourself and express your own ideas. You know what you stand for and what you won’t stand for. You expect respect. This is a great conversation to have as your kids…
8 Ways to Help Your Child Have Success in School This Year
Success in school will not automatically happen. As school starts, parents are hopeful that their child will have a successful year. They are eager to see their kids thrive, make new friends, connect with old ones, get along with their teachers, and grow up just a little bit more in this new grade. As you…
Tips for Keeping Calm When Your Little Children Push Your Buttons
Do you ever have moments when keeping calm with your little children seems impossible? Perhaps you find yourself too angry to respond in a loving and calm way to your children. You know that yelling at your kids is not a good solution, but it’s hard not to react in a negative way when your…
Do You Approve of Your Child’s Friend Choices?
Do you like your child’s friend choices? Perhaps you don’t pay much attention because you are just glad they have friends to hang out with, friends to keep them busy. Or maybe your reactions weigh heavily in the opposite direction: you are ultra-cautious, perhaps paranoid about your kids’ friend choices. Who your child hangs out…