When it comes to our children’s happiness, less is more. That’s the surprising perspective of one Chicago psychologist concerned about the rising rates of youth depression and anxiety. “Millions of well-intentioned parents have made life harder for their children by shielding the kids from every kind of unhappiness,” according to…
David’s mother explained, “Whenever David doesn’t get his way he throws himself on the floor, screams, kicks and cries incessantly. What can we do to help him overcome this behavior?” TIP: What is David getting out of this behavior? First make sure that you are not rewarding this type of…
Letting your kids sleep in your bed – aka co-sleeping – is a hot-button topic, regardless of the child’s age. Nursing moms might find that sleeping with the baby makes nighttime feedings easier, allows more bonding time and promotes sounder sleep. Those who do not co-sleep with their newborns may…
You’ve got the house babyproofed with all the gadgets and preventive tools that should keep young kids out of the dangerous areas of your home. No worries, right? Wrong. There are hidden hazards in the home that can do serious damage to a child. Be extra-careful and warn children of…
Do you struggle with getting your children to wind down? Well, caffeine could be the culprit that’s keeping your child wired. Although the United States hasn’t issued recommendations on how much caffeine kids should consume, health officials in Canada recommend the children of preschool age do not exceed 45 milligrams…
A penny for your thoughts… and a dollar for your efforts. It’s the old allowance conundrum. We’re talking chore charts, compensation rates and more. For an allowance novice, it can feel like a real handful. The dilemma goes beyond what to give and what not to give to your children….
Do you know the difference between discipline and punishment with their Latin roots? Punishment implies inflicting pain, while discipline means to teach. Parents who use punishment are missing important opportunities to teach their children better behaviors and help them self-discipline. Children can actually be taught responsible behaviors to help them…
Sometimes it is better to receive than to give, and Christmas cards is one of those instances. While some people have everything ready for their Christmas cards months in advance, others find that same old box of cards going untouched year after year. The good news is that the task…
Whether it’s your coworker, sister or whoever might be expecting a bundle of joy, it can be tough to choose gifts for a new baby or baby shower. It may seem impersonal to choose something from a registry, but remember, the parents-to-be took a lot of time and care to…
Perhaps little Johnny is going over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house this summer. Or maybe he’s visiting another relative or family friend. Either way, it might mean your child flying by himself. And that’s OK – as long as you review your airline’s policies and get…