Why Consistent Bed Times Are Important (And How To Implement Them!)
As I have mentioned before, I listen to a radio program on the way to and from dropping my son off at school in the mornings. The DJs have children and they often talk about studies relating to parenting, or their experiences with raising their kids. This morning,...
Helping to Create Fearless and Self-Confident Kids
I have this amazing activity that I do with college students in the course that I teach at USF that typically creates a very poignant reaction. It goes something like this, with 20 and 21 year olds: ME: "How many of you can dance?" STUDENTS: One or two raise their...
Tired, Hungry, and Bored: Top Three Reasons for Disobedience
We were at a restaurant the other night, and a family with young children came in. We watched as they waited for their table, and the kids were getting more and more restless and difficult to handle. The mom was trying her best but they kids just weren't happy. I was...
Validating Your Child’s Feelings
My hubby and I were talking the other night about how easy it is for parents to focus on what they want their child to do, rather than acknowledging why they don't want to do something in the first place. For example, if my son is playing with his cars and we ask him...
A New Relationship with Your Kids: 5 Skills for the New Year
There are so many New Year's Resolutions made each year, and it's a commitment to keep them! One of the resolutions that I think is the most important that you can make for this new year is a more loving, respectful, and communicative relationship with your children...
Four Ways to Demonstrate Parental Acceptance to Your Kids
So, as many of you know, I just finished up my PhD. The final requirement is a research project and paper, which I studied an online format of the Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) parent training. The results were amazing! Interestingly, one of the measures of...
Interpreting the ‘Why’ in Your Kids’ Messages
I often get parents who are having a hard time understanding something related to their children who email me asking if I can help. I had a mom write to me a while back and ask what she should do about the picture that her daughter gave to her. Email from a Mom Here...
Play Therapy and “Lighthouse Parenting”: The Longstanding Connection
I recently heard about a new parenting approach called "Lighthouse Parenting." This comes on the heels of "Tiger" and "Helicopter" parenting, so I was a little wary of another catchy name to take the media by storm. However, after looking into the approach behind...
How to Help Kids Understand and Process a Cancer Diagnosis
I will never forget how I felt when I got the call that the mass on my grandmother's ovary was cancerous. Even as an adult, it is hard to process how you feel, what it means for your family, how to help, and what to say. As cancer becomes more prominent in our lives...
Five (More) Things Not to Say to Your Kids
Wow, I can't believe it has been almost five years since I wrote 10 things not to say to your kids. It really is amazing the reaction to that article. Some completely agreed, some were convicted to change behaviors, some thought it was ridiculous! But, I always aim to...
Play Therapy Principles and a Rope Swing
I don't know if you faced the same dilemma, but on a rainy Labor Day this week, my husband and I struggled to figure out what to do as a family. We threw out a few ideas, but finally settled on a three-story indoor gym at a local center. Our son could play for two...
Speaking Positively About Your Kids: A T-Ball Story
I don't know if this holds true for you as well, but I am learning that little league opens up all kinds of insights about parents and kids. Our son started in T-Ball this year and it has been very interesting to observe the dynamics on the field, on the bench, in...