I Want Privacy!- As children grow, many start to feel a need for a private
space. This is a normal part of development. Your child's
right to privacy, though, should be earned by the
demonstration of trustworthiness and responsibility.
I'm Sitting Up Front!- It's a common situation, all over the country. Who gets to sit in the front seat on the way to school? "It's my turn! He got to yesterday!" whines Jessica. "No way! I'm the oldest, so I get to!" argues Andrew. So what to do?
Interrupting- Whether you're on the phone, busy on your computer, or talking to another adult, it can be frustrating when your children constantly interrupt you. What's surprising to learn is that they do it because they always get a response from you when they do!
Is Your Child Too Slow?- My 6 1/2 year old daughter is extremely bright and talented,
but she just moves incredibly slow. At first I thought it was
just her age, but this has been going on since infancy and now
her teachers are starting to complain. The other day at a field
trip, my husband was constantly bombarded by comments from
the staff about how slow she is.
Kicking the Computer Game Habit- My child spends too much time playing computer and video
games. He's so passionate about these games, that when
I suggest he's overdoing it he gets angry with me. Am I wrong
to try to curb this habit?
Kids & Chores- Assigning children household chores is one of the best ways to
build self-esteem and a feeling of competence. Regular chores
establish helpful habits and good attitudes about work. Children
who grow up perceiving chores as a normal part of life will find
the flow into adulthood much easier than those without
responsibility will.
Kids & Divorce- It is a sad fact that today all our children are being touched by the
shadow of divorce. Even if they are not among the growing number of
families split apart by divorce, they will be influenced indirectly. They
will know children whose parents divorce.
Making Moving Easier for Your Child- We're planning a move and want it to go smoothly for our child. What ways can we soften the blow of this major transition?
Managing Morning Madness- Are your mornings rushed, chaotic and disorganized? Then it's time to get
control and make morning a good start to a wonderful day! When your
morning activities run smoothly, and you're out the door on time it can
make your whole day feel better.
My Child Was Bullied By a Parent- Eight-year old Becky came home from school last Tuesday and was upset with how Sarah was treating her. The two of them have been friends since they were four-years old. As her father I wasn't worried about the two of them having a disagreement. But what Becky said next just floored me, "Dad, Sarah's mom was school today and she started yelling at me and called me a spoiled brat!"
My Kid, The Lawyer Wannabe- Think about it. Every time you rationalize, explain and bicker
with a child who is willing to deliberate every point, you give
her more and more leeway in which to plead her case.
My Son's Teacher was a Bully- When my son was in sixth grade, he came home with a rip in his new sneakers. He told me the gym teacher did it during a sneaker check. It sounded like a fib, or at best, an accident on the teacher's part, but I needed to clarify things.
New Baby: How to Make Sure Your Older Kids are Sleeping Through the Night- If you are expecting a baby and already have one or more children, it's wise to solve their sleep problems before the new baby arrives. Remember, a newborn typically awakens every three to four hours and adapting to a new baby's schedule is very tiring for everyone in the house.
Nine Ways to Help Children to Cope With Loss and Grief- The biggest problem children have in coping with their grief is the inattention and lack of awareness adults have in the need to talk about it, express all kinds of feelings around it, and to help children to find a way to compensate for the loss.
Other People's Kids- Do you have a friend, relative or neighbor with kids who drive you crazy
with their misbehavior? I think we all know one family that fits this
description. It puts you into a very uncomfortable position. You know you
can't discipline the kids, but you want to be able to enjoy your time with
their family. What to do?
Pajama Games: Getting children to go to bed- They know every excuse in the book: I need a drink of water. I forgot to give you a hug goodnight. I heard a noise outside my window. Bedtime can be a nightly power struggle for parents when children do not want to go to bed resulting in no winners. Here are some ways parents and children have both won the pajama game:
Parenting the Argumentative Child- As parents, you want your child to grow up safe and healthy. No simple task, even under the best of circumstances. An argumentative child can make parenting seem even more challenging than it already is. He questions your every move and refuses even the simplest request. While this intense brand of scrutiny may serve him well as an adult, it can extremely frustrating in a child.
Parenting with Style: Why You Might Clash with Your Child- Every morning, six-year-old Josh and his mom clash. A daydreamer by nature, Josh moves through life at a slower pace than his task-oriented mom. This is most evident in the morning when meandering Josh and his highly organized mother are trying to get out the door. This daily struggle highlights their obviously different personal styles.
Pitchin' In - Simple Ways to Get Your Family Involved- If you're tired of nagging, begging and even pleading to get your family members to help out around your home, listen up. There's a better way to get the cooperation you want.
Positive Thinking for Kids- During their growth and development, children go through many stages of self-doubt. They are always comparing themselves to others, and they often see themselves as coming up short. As parents, we can offset this natural tendency in our children by giving them the skills to think more positively.
Public Manners- When we're out in public my son seems to forget all
the good manners he routinely uses at home. If we
run into someone I know he won't even say a polite
hello. He forgets to say 'thank you' and 'excuse me'.
The list goes on. How can I get him to remember to
use his manners?
Quality Time After Daycare- One of the biggest problems working parents may very well face is the guilt of being away from their children for 8+ hours per day. At times, maybe even feeling as if they are not the ones raising their own child, but that that job is being done by a childcare provider. Finding a happy medium is not an easy task to say in the least.
Reclaiming Play: Helping Children Learn and Thrive in School- Child development theorists, researchers, and educators have long known that play is one of children's most valuable resources, vital to their social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Through play children make sense of the world around them and work through new experiences, ideas, and feelings.
Seven Tips for Eating Out with Kids- Ah... those good old days. Before you had kids, you could eat out just about any time you wanted. There were no worries about wait times and kid-friendly menu choices. Yes, it is more complicated to eat out when you've got a couple of kids in tow, but don't give up altogether.
Simple Mommy Secrets to Choosing the Right Chores for Kids- Several years ago I learned a Mommy Secret from my girlfriend about kids' chores that I've never forgot. Cindy and I were busy chatting away when she announced to her kids: "Chore time!" As quick as a wink they jumped up from playing and scurried to their kitchen where they proceeded to unload dishes, and put clean ones in the cupboard. And they did so without an ounce of help or uttering one complaint. When finished they turned for their mom's sanction (she nodded approvingly), and then grinned and ran back to play.
Standing Together: A Parenting Success Story- “There he is again, sitting in front of that Nintendo machine. Didn’t I just tell him to go do his homework?” said the mother, her arm on her hip, eyes glaring at the back of the father’s head. The father appeared more involved in the news program on the television but had heard every word.
Stop Picking Your Nose!- Nose picking is often done to relieve anxiety and bring comfort. Because the nose is always at hand (excuse me, I couldn't resist!), it's an addictive habit.
Stop That Tattling!- I have one child who tattles with a vengeance. The infractions run from minor issues to major crimes, and often cover incredibly ridiculous things, such as, "She breathed on me ON PURPOSE!"
Suddenly: Temper Tantrums- Our 6 year old has just started throwing temper tantrums. He has always been so well behaved that it has thrown us for a loop. Any suggestions?
The leaves are almost done falling and Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! Whether you are looking for fun crafts, great recipes, or costume ideas, you'll find it all here. Here are a few examples to get you started...
Family Matters Radio
FMR is a nationally syndicated radio program developed to help you live your best life, hosted by Caroline & Jacquie. No rants and raves - you get enough of that from your kids. Choose a segment below to begin listening!
Whether you're on the phone, busy on your computer, or talking to another adult, it can be frustrating when your children constantly interrupt you. What's surprising to learn is that they do it because they always get a response from you when they do!
Eight-year old Becky came home from school last Tuesday and was upset with how Sarah was treating her. The two of them have been friends since they were four-years old. As her father I wasn't worried about the two of them having a disagreement. But what Becky said next just floored me, "Dad, Sarah's mom was school today and she started yelling at me and called me a spoiled brat!"
If you are expecting a baby and already have one or more children, it's wise to solve their sleep problems before the new baby arrives. Remember, a newborn typically awakens every three to four hours and adapting to a new baby's schedule is very tiring for everyone in the house.
The biggest problem children have in coping with their grief is the inattention and lack of awareness adults have in the need to talk about it, express all kinds of feelings around it, and to help children to find a way to compensate for the loss.
As parents, you want your child to grow up safe and healthy. No simple task, even under the best of circumstances. An argumentative child can make parenting seem even more challenging than it already is. He questions your every move and refuses even the simplest request. While this intense brand of scrutiny may serve him well as an adult, it can extremely frustrating in a child.
Child development theorists, researchers, and educators have long known that play is one of children's most valuable resources, vital to their social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Through play children make sense of the world around them and work through new experiences, ideas, and feelings.
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Missed the last couple of newsletters? Haven't visited for a while? This section highlights articles and crafts that have recently been added to FC...
