Demanding children – children who have entitlement issues – seem to be common these days. Like the obnoxious child, Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, who was constantly demanding that her father get her whatever she wanted (“I want an Umpa Lumpa! Get it for me NOW!”),…
Raising your children is the most important task you and your partner will ever share. As parents, you have the responsibility of making decisions about your children’s education, healthcare, and countless other vital aspects of life. Parents don’t always agree on how to raise their kids, and this can sometimes…
Young, wild, and free … isn’t that what it’s supposed to feel like to be a teenager? While it’s normal for teens to push and discover their limits, it’s also dangerous. Due in large part to the fact that parenting decisions are only as sound as the information on which…
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…
None of us want “spoiled” kids – kids who are bratty, self-centered, demanding, inconsiderate. So, what spoils children and what doesn’t? When I was raising my children, I was often told that I would spoil them if I didn’t let them cry – if I held them a lot. Fortunately,…
Watching a young girl hit, kick, and call her mother names I never imagined a 6 year old knew, engaged in an (ultimately successful) attempt to get dessert led to an enlightening luncheon conversation with a few friends last week. As parents ourselves, we had all dealt with incidents like…
Sometimes you feel like everyone in the house needs something, and you’re the one expected to make it happen. There are diapers to change, homework to help with, and games to go to…. it can all add up and feel like too much. Being a mother is certainly a big…
As the parent of a teen, you may long for the days when you could hold your child on your lap and they were eager to talk, laugh, and play with you. Those days may be long gone, but you can still find ways to connect with your teen. Here…
Childhood years are the best times to learn. Somehow, a person’s comprehension is at its peak during childhood. Parents should take advantage of these learning years to ingrain the values of life in their children. If you’re a parent, teach them positive habits so that they will know and see…
“Mommy, Mommy, I want to have a play date with Jessica today,” your daughter says in a whiny voice while pulling at your brand-new, expensive shirt. “Today is not a good day; Mommy has to go to the doctor,” you say. Your daughter drops to the ground, screaming and yelling…