If you were to make a list of all the things you'd love to provide your children what would your list look like? Many people spend every waking hour stressing and worrying about how they can provide this and that for their children, but I want to propose that the BEST gift you can give your ... Views: 890
One of the top issues in homes today is one where parents are completely frustrated at how picky or fussy their children are at mealtimes. Luckily, there is a very easy solution to this problem.
Meal times should and can be one of the most precious rituals in any family's home. It's a time ... Views: 920
It's common to hear adults talking about how stressed or overwhelmed they are, but do we hear from our children how they feel? Research finds that between 8 and 10% of North American children are seriously troubled by stress.
I'll never forget a class meeting I shared with my students some 6 ... Views: 1061
I cannot count the number of times I’ve either heard my coaching clients or parents on the street say, “My child just doesn’t listen to me!” or “Why can’t he/she just listen?”
There are two issues here:
1. The child doesn’t have a healthy level of respect for the parents’ authority (as hard ... Views: 994
As parents we all want our children to know we love them, but do they always know that we LIKE them?
When our children know that we LIKE them for sure, it has a much deeper effect on their love of themselves. They also feel extra safe and secure; as if what they thought they knew can now be ... Views: 1058
If I asked you, "What is the main purpose of a parent?" I'd probably get the following responses:
1. To be their child's guide in life
2. To love their child unconditionally
3. To teach their child good values
4. To protect their child
5. To offer their child support through ... Views: 934
According to a recent survey, stress affects 30% + of the population on a daily basis. Too much stress can contribute to a long list of health problems as well as family problems. The good news is that there is plenty you can do to help get balance back into your life.
The Tell Tale Signs of ... Views: 954
My message to parents has always been that too much talking is one of the biggest mistakes a parent can make when disciplining their child. However, there is a place and time when talking is truly beneficial to the parent/child relationship. So how does a parent know when to talk and when not ... Views: 825
Does your child hoard toys and possessions or have trouble taking turns? Many times we think that by just telling our child to “play nice” it will be enough to get him or her to share, however the REAL way to achieve your goal of getting your child to consider the needs and feels of others and ... Views: 883
Have you ever said or done something to your child only to question whether you could or should have said or done it better? Being reflective is an attribute of a highly successful parent, but that is very different than second guessing oneself. Second guessing can be so detrimental to a ... Views: 1012
Show me any two people who have fun together frequently and I'll show you a good relationship. People who have regular fun together like each other and most often respect one another. This is a winning combination when it comes to the parent/child relationship. If both parties feel good ... Views: 901
Have you ever seen a small child go down to a pond and throw rocks into it? Kids can do that for hours, partly because the big splashes are a sign of their impact. They are the ones causing all the commotion!
How does throwing rocks into a pond relate to what happens at home? If your ... Views: 852
The time is 5 o'clock and your stomach clenches - What to make for dinner is the question racing through your mind. You know you want to prepare healthy meals for your family, but you're tired and you don't have all the ingredients for your favorite "go to" recipe so you pull out the frozen ... Views: 1266
“I feel so guilty!” is a common phrase with most moms. We tend to feel guilty about everything, even if we’re doing something away from our kids that’s good for us!
Where does this guilt come from anyway? Dads don’t seem to have the same issue. They are more matter-of-fact about things. ... Views: 1245
It was Dr. Anthony P. Witham who once said "children spell love…T-I-M-E." He was definitely onto something. Unfortunately, if you are like most parents, time is a precious commodity that often eludes us. Whether we have a new job, a new baby, or we just need to make the coffee or strip the beds, ... Views: 1443
Even though children may be enjoying their summer, parents are already thinking about “back-to-school” and everything that needs to get organized. What’s the stress-free solution to setting your child up for a truly successful year?
Routines and organization. Every household benefits from ... Views: 2980
With school out, parents either feel two things. 1)"Wow, I can't wait to spend more time with my kids!" or 2)"Oh, boy, here we go. How will we fill their time?"
Parents who work outside the home have no choice but to send their kids to camps or daycares during the day, but stay-at-home moms or ... Views: 2721
Do you have moments throughout the day when you feel great as a parent? When your kids are happy, you are happy, you are all hugging, laughing and kissing one other? You know the feeling of wonderment. Now, do you also have times when you don’t love being a parent? Have you felt at your wits ... Views: 1244
Ask most parents about when their family experiences stress and getting out the door in the morning comes in among the top answers. With the right routine and words, mornings can flow and be one of the happiest times in your family’s day.
As with any major parenting issue I always look at ... Views: 1077
It was Dr. Anthony P. Witham who once said "children spell love…T-I-M-E." He was definitely onto something. Unfortunately, if you are like most parents, time is a precious commodity that often eludes us. Whether we have a new job, a new baby, or we just need to make the coffee or strip the beds, ... Views: 1666
Let’s be honest. The relationship we have with our spouse is different than before we had children. Our time and energy is split, we have more responsibilities, and being intimate can sometimes feel like just another chore on the “To do list”.
Although it is true that our relationship is ... Views: 794
It is easy to get overwhelmed with parenting these days. There are societal pressures and ever-changing child-rearing theories that have created a lot of stress and anxiety for parents. It’s time to clear up some misguided notions about good and bad parenting so that parents can get back to ... Views: 938
Reading helps us in every area of our lives. It helps us become successful in school and later in our careers and it helps us grow as individuals by either teaching us new information or by allowing us to step into someone else's shoes. Reading can also help us become more compassionate and ... Views: 1578
Every parent has experienced the phenomena of their child begging for their favourite story to read, their favourite song to be played or their favourite movie to be watched for the 100th time.
Even though we adults might be tempted to hide the favourite book or introduce a new book, CD, or ... Views: 911
Valentine’s Day. The red hearts make us feel like love and happiness is all around. We see images of couples hugging and gazing into each other’s eyes and we want that. We go shopping at beautifully decorated stores and envision making our loved one feel special and cherished. And, secretly, ... Views: 1215
Take a look at the marketing out right now and see the images that they are trying to project so that we will buy or spend money. Furthermore, they love to put ideas into our heads about how certain gifts will make our partners feel. Not to say gifts are bad, but do they TRULY represent what ... Views: 2011
Whether you work outside the house or stay at home full-time, the toughest part of the day is the same: those frantic early evening hours when there are mouths to feed, homework to do, and cranky kids to handle. The trick is to streamline your to-do’s so you can feel calmer and focus on what ... Views: 1178
Is your child struggling in school? Does your child stall when it comes time to do homework? Does your child’s teacher often comment that your child is capable, but is just not working to his or her potential? Or, does your child do alright in school, but seems a bit bored or lacks enthusiasm ... Views: 1436
Do you cringe when your child asks you to play "Choo Choo train" or Barbies with them? It's the hidden secret that moms are only now speaking about. Moms are finally being honest about the fact that they don't like playing most of the games their children want them to play and that they actually ... Views: 1077
Being a good parent requires us to be many things, but one of the most important attributes is to be reflective. Without this, parents will find themselves experiencing the same struggles over and over again.
Let's look at what being reflective really means. First of all, it does NOT mean to ... Views: 1006
Have you ever told your child that it's time to go somewhere or do something else and their response was either to ignore you or yell at you? There are ways to avoid this and make the transition from activity to activity easy and smooth.
In order for your children to feel comfortable and ... Views: 1322
The time is 5 o'clock and your stomach clenches - What to make for dinner is the question racing through your mind. You know you want to prepare healthy meals for your family, but you're tired and you don't have all the ingredients for your favorite "go to" recipe so you pull out the frozen ... Views: 1866
What do you think matters most to your children? You driving them to lessons and practices, or is it the smile and hug you greet them with after school? If you guessed the latter, you are correct.
Twelve years of teaching and giving the same assignment every Mother's Day has led me to the ... Views: 830
If I asked you what words come to mind when you think of your home, what would you say? Would you tell me that it brings you peace every time you walk in the front door? Would you say that the items in your home inspire you and bring you joy every time you look at them? Would you describe ... Views: 985
With the demands of everyday life, raising children can be a circus. What is the antidote to the stress that parents feel these days?
There are three areas that need to be looked at in order for parents to feel less stressed and for families to be close, connected and totally content. They ... Views: 1196
Christmas time is a time for doing special things with family, but holiday events can fill up the calendar very quickly. We often find ourselves running from one event to the next without so much as a breath in between. The holidays then become about pleasing others and not ourselves or our ... Views: 1786
Our children love certain toys or brands and they make their lists for sure, however, I suggest that we parents do something a little extra special at Christmas.
Christmas is such an exciting time. Family and friends gather together to laugh, eat great food and share gifts with each other. ... Views: 1064