10 Tips for a Peaceful Holiday Season: Helping Kids Relax- Kids get pretty anxious over the holidays. It's a time of excitement and wonder, and they often have a hard time relaxing, staying calm and sleeping well.
Here are some tips to help your kids stay relaxed and on a healthy sleep schedule.
7 Biggest Discipline Mistakes- You're trying to make your child quit bullying, lying, cheating, defying you or talking back with little success. You've tried threatening, scolding and even begging, but nothing seems to work. How can you ensure that he stops for good?
A Child's Letter To Santa- Snowflakes softly falling
Upon your window they play
Your blankets snug around you,
Into sleep you drift away.
I bend to gently kiss you, when I see that on the floor
there's a letter, neatly written
I wonder who its for.
All You Need to Know About Birthday Parties- At all ages, simple events tend to be successful and more fun. Complicated parties usually require extensive planning with little additional fun-value. What's most important to the kids? Friends, goodies and gifts!
Arguing & Back Talk- I know my kid's going to grow up to be a lawyer! He argues
whenever he's asked to do something. He debates his rights
when he's asked to stop doing something. He pleads his case
when I tell him he can't do something. He disputes every rule I
create. How can I put an end to this?
Bullying - Both Sides of The Fence- It's time for kids to go back to school. And time again to deal
with bullies. Is your child a bully? Is your child a victim?
Parenting expert, Elizabeth Pantley, has some great advice for
parents and kids on both sides of the fence.
Can Twins Have Too Much Togetherness?- Many twins begin to interact with each other around six to ten months of age. As same-age siblings begin to discover one another, it's a thrill for parents to watch as the two hug, play, and communicate. Even their sibling squabbles are fascinating to parents who are learning to discern each child's unique personality. Most enthralling to parents of twins, however, is the ease with which each twin seems to anticipate the other's needs.
Casual Remarks- It's a curious affliction: the tendency to talk about one's children in the most brutally honest and hurtful ways without realizing that the cherished subjects of the offensive comments are listening to every word. Right now, you may be saying to yourself, "This never happens to me." Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Child’s Play is Anything But- Child developmental experts have studied children at play for over a century. Their research shows that play is a child’s most important work, a way of learning, growing, and understanding the world. A parent’s involvement can make play a richer, stimulating, and more valuable activity for children.
Clean Your Room!- My child's bedroom looks like it's been put through a blender! I can't see the
carpet, and to walk through the room I have to dodge clothes, toys, and last
week's snack wrappers. My child doesn't care, but I do. When I yell and
threaten we sometimes end up with one day of cleanliness, but in no time at
all, the disaster magically reappears. What can I do?
Dealing with "Monsters" and Nighttime Fears- It can be difficult to think straight when your crying child shakes you awake in the middle of the night frightened and tearful by a nightmare or the monster she knows for sure has taken up residence in her closet or under her bed. Or a terrible dream that leaves her feeling shaken. Groggily, I would find myself talking half-asleep to my 4-year-old daughter, "Honey, I know that the monster moved out last week. He doesn't even like it here. He's completely afraid of you." But, to no avail.
Despite Some Mature Moments Kids Will Still Be Kids- Whenever we get together with family and friends who have small kids I can't help but to think to myself "I'm so glad we're out of that stage!" I recall vividly eagerly awaiting the days for our children to finally be past that phase of the unexpected.
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude with Your Kids- Jerry Seinfeld once recorded a hilarious routine about Halloween as a kid. "Let me see if I get this straight, all I have to do is dress up weird and parade around my neighborhood and people I don't know will give me candy? For free? I can do that!"
Dog Doo To Do- The Hidden Message: "If you can put up with the
drone of my voice, go ahead and feel free to ignore
me. I don't plan to take any action about this issue
at all."
Easing the Transition from the Family Bed: From Co-Sleeping to Solo- Even if you are a proponent of the family bed, there will come a time when your child will need to sleep by himself. My rule of thumb is that when anyone in the family bed is uncomfortable it's time for the child to sleep on his own.
Eating Right for Sleep- Food has a huge impact on a child's well-being. It can energize, increase hyperactivity or induce fatigue. Just as a lack of sleep can jumble a child's thinking or cause learning problems, so can an inadequate diet. Each child is a unique individual, and it's unreasonable to think that "one size fits all" diet advice is realistic.
Ending Sibling Fights- My kids' fighting drives me crazy! It's usually over some
extremely important issue, like who gets to use the red LegoTM
piece. (Never mind that there are fifteen more just like it in the
box!) I get so tired of the yelling, screaming and threatening --
not to mention what goes on between the kids! Please, I beg
you, give me some ideas to put an end to this bickering.
First Born Jealousy- Our first-born is showing extreme jealousy towards the new
baby. She's obviously mad at us for disrupting the predictable
flow of her life with this new challenger for our attention. How
can we smooth things out?
Getting Kids to Stay In Bed- My daughter is 7 1/2 and in the last month has developed a problem at bedtime. She has always gone to bed with a story and most of the time asleep before 8:30. Recently we extended her bedtime to 9:00 PM for the summer. Since we have done this, I am lucky if she is asleep by 10:30. It is not only the problem of falling asleep, but she is up several times after I put her to bed.
Gimmee!- Author of "Hidden Messages : What Our Words and Actions Are Really Telling Our Children" and parenting expert, Elizabeth Pantley, really makes you think about the messages you are sending to your children in your everyday activities. First, read the story, then see Elizabeth's explanation and solutions to help you change the way you send these messages.
Gratitude More Than Attitude: Teaching Children the Joy of Being Grateful- Gratitude is more than an attitude. Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and better relationships. These results prove that gratitude is more than polite manners and positive thinking. It is a way of life, and a wonderful legacy to leave our children.
Helping Kids Overcome Their Fears and Phobias- Children love the fantasy and fun of dressing up in costumes and Halloween is usually an exciting and fun event for them. During October, however, the television networks begin running their annual horror flicks. Remember, young children still have trouble differentiating real life from make believe and many scary movies should be "off limits."
I Hate You!- When my son gets
angry with me he yells, "I hate you!
I wish you weren't my mother!" and
other hurtful things. It really disturbs
me, but I don't know how to
respond.
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.
It's Elementary My Dear- "I hate school!" No parent wants to hear their third grade daughter yell
out these words on a regular basis. Your first grader conveniently forgets
to bring home his homework every day of the week. Your 10 year old
daughter complains each morning that she is too tired to go to school.
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.
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Send your own photos as an e-card
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Rate images of other members
...more!
Join us in the FC Photo Gallery. It's completely free to use, just another fabulous reason to be a FamilyCorner subscriber.
Family Matters Radio
Hosted by Caroline & Jacquie. Choose a segment below to begin listening!
Secrets of Happily Married Women Do you feel like you are constantly on overdrive? Juggling career and family, attending to everyone's needs but your own, and all the while struggling to maintain a sense of balance and harmony in your marriage? You can actually start getting more out of your relationship by doing less and we'll tell you how with Dr. Scott Haltzman, author of Secrets of Happily Married Women. Hear part 2
When Mars and Venus Collide It's a common scenario: a husband returns home from work stressed out and eager to kick back on the couch and watch TV. A wife returns home from work stressed out and wants to talk about it with her husband. What happens? Neither is on the same page, anger and resentment set in. We're going to find out how stress is impacting marriages today and what you can do about it when we talk with bestselling author John Gray Hear part 2
Kids get pretty anxious over the holidays. It's a time of excitement and wonder, and they often have a hard time relaxing, staying calm and sleeping well.
Here are some tips to help your kids stay relaxed and on a healthy sleep schedule.
You're trying to make your child quit bullying, lying, cheating, defying you or talking back with little success. You've tried threatening, scolding and even begging, but nothing seems to work. How can you ensure that he stops for good?
Many twins begin to interact with each other around six to ten months of age. As same-age siblings begin to discover one another, it's a thrill for parents to watch as the two hug, play, and communicate. Even their sibling squabbles are fascinating to parents who are learning to discern each child's unique personality. Most enthralling to parents of twins, however, is the ease with which each twin seems to anticipate the other's needs.
Whenever we get together with family and friends who have small kids I can't help but to think to myself "I'm so glad we're out of that stage!" I recall vividly eagerly awaiting the days for our children to finally be past that phase of the unexpected.
Even if you are a proponent of the family bed, there will come a time when your child will need to sleep by himself. My rule of thumb is that when anyone in the family bed is uncomfortable it's time for the child to sleep on his own.
My daughter is 7 1/2 and in the last month has developed a problem at bedtime. She has always gone to bed with a story and most of the time asleep before 8:30. Recently we extended her bedtime to 9:00 PM for the summer. Since we have done this, I am lucky if she is asleep by 10:30. It is not only the problem of falling asleep, but she is up several times after I put her to bed.
Gratitude is more than an attitude. Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and better relationships. These results prove that gratitude is more than polite manners and positive thinking. It is a way of life, and a wonderful legacy to leave our children.
Children love the fantasy and fun of dressing up in costumes and Halloween is usually an exciting and fun event for them. During October, however, the television networks begin running their annual horror flicks. Remember, young children still have trouble differentiating real life from make believe and many scary movies should be "off limits."
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!
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...
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