“I’m telling!” may be the most annoying phrase that your child emits, particularly around the preschool age. But tattling usually boils down to one motivation: getting attention. Excessive tattling usually happens when kids aren’t mature enough to settle conflicts among themselves, and that’s normal for younger children. They look to…
Oww! A scraped knee, a bad bruise, bug bite, splinter or other minor injury can send a child into hysterics. But moms can take quick action to stem the tears and reduce scarring by taking the right measures fast. For the inevitable cuts and scrapes, hold a clean cloth or…
Perhaps one of the most confusing and embarrassing times of a person’s life is when they begin undergoing puberty. The best way to handle it with your kids is to be prepared. Don’t expect your kids to feel comfortable asking you any and all questions about the changes their bodies…
You wouldn’t give someone the death penalty for running a red light, and the same rule of thumb should apply to your children’s wrongdoings. At the end of the day, you want to make sure the crime fits the punishment. For example, you don’t want to ground your 5-year-old child…
Vampires may be all the latest rage, but what’s a parent to do when she discovers she’s rearing her own little Edward Cullen? We’re talking about the dreaded biters. Getting a call from the school that little Bobby has bitten one of his classmates can be among a parent’s worst…
“But Mom, I don’t want to wear that!” It’s the dreaded wardrobe discussion. For some, it might happen once in a blue moon, but other not-so-lucky parents might find themselves in engaged in the clothing power struggle on a daily basis. Whether your child is 2 or 12, there is…
It’s sometimes amazing to watch what seems like an out-of-control child submit to a teacher’s bidding at school. Parents who are exasperated with their kids’ at-home antics can be really surprised when they watch their child interact successfully with their teachers away from home. How do teachers harness all that…
If you’re looking for that flash of brilliance in your child that may signal that he’s smarter than other kids, then you may be ready to slap on that “gifted” label. Whether your child walked, talked, read or reached some other developmental milestone earlier than his peers, it’s tempting to…
Their plates are barely clean and your children are already demanding to know what’s for dessert. In most households, dessert is a reward, not a guarantee. And while many parents try to dodge the dessert bullet as often as possible, it’s possible to make the post-supper snack a truly nutritious…
It could be at a playgroup, in a restaurant or at school – your child cries at the drop of a hat. What makes some kids more sensitive than others? Kids have vastly different temperaments, and there are pros and cons for each. A stubborn child might carry that streak…