A Perfect Parenting Plan- I have a 4 year old son that I can no longer control, and on top of that I will be having another baby in 3 days. My son yells at me and my husband that he doesn't want to do something or that he is not going to do something. If I tell him to clean up his toys he tells me that it is to hard or there are too many(even if that is not true).
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!
Angry Emotions - Your Child's and Yours- Question: My child can't control his angry emotions.
He tends to lash out at others, verbally and physically.
How can I help him stop getting so angry?
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.
Car Trips With Kids- Are we there yet? How often do parents want to ask this question when traveling with a car full of unhappy, restless kids? By following a few guidelines, your next family trek can be a pleasant one.
Casual Remarks- 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 ...
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?
Daycare Dilemma: When Your Child Cries- Does your child cry when you try to exit the daycare center and head to work? Leaving your child in the hands of another person is stressful enough, but to receive the guilt trip from your little darling doubles the pain. Read our expert's tips on how to ease the transition and make for a smoother morning all around.
Do You Have the Baby Blues?- I remember when I was lying in my hospital bed after the birth of my fourth child, Coleton. I had endured a full day of labor and a difficult delivery (who says the fourth one comes easily?), and I was tired beyond explanation. After the relief of seeing my precious new child came an uncontrollable feeling to close my eyes and sleep. As my husband cradled newborn Coleton, I drifted off; my parting thoughts were, "I can't do this. I don't have the energy. How will I ever take care of a baby?"
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 Their Terrible Fears- My daughter recently turned 7 years old. About 6 months ago she developed a terrible fear. She is awfully afraid of wind, even a slight breeze, clouds and rain. It is a fear that totally wipes her out.
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?
Get Your Toddler to Cooperate- Toddlers require more finesse to gain their cooperation, because they have not yet reached the age at which they can see and understand the whole picture. Robert Scotellaro is quoted in The Funny Side of Parenthood as saying, "Reasoning with a two-year-old is about as productive as changing seats on the Titanic."
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.
Getting Kids to Write Thank You Notes- Doing the things that demonstrate good manners isn't always easy or fun. But having good manners will help your child have better friendships, happier family relationships, and an easier time adjusting to the nuances of our society.
Gimmee!- Winter's first snow promised more than a change in the weather: it heralded the fast approach of the holidays-and the annual gift-shopping ritual. Ken and Shelley decided that today was as good as any to hit the shopping mall and get the deed done.
Home Alone: When and How?- I'm trying to decide if my children are ready to be home alone for short periods of time. I'm thinking specifically of the time after school until I arrive home from work, or in evening when I attend a meeting or go out to dinner. How can I tell when it's okay to get by without a baby-sitter?
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.
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.
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.
Let Your Sleeping Baby Sleep!- Let Your Sleeping Baby Sleep! When your baby wakes in the middle of the night, you probably have a routine to get him back ...
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 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.
Not too far from now, Cupid will be shooting his arrow at love birds all over! Visit our Valentine's Day section for fun crafts, great recipes, or gift ideas, you'll find it all here. Here are a few examples to get you started...
Does your child cry when you try to exit the daycare center and head to work? Leaving your child in the hands of another person is stressful enough, but to receive the guilt trip from your little darling doubles the pain. Read our expert's tips on how to ease the transition and make for a smoother morning all around.
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.
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!
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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...
