The age of your child will determine which areas of communication are most relevant in your home, but this week’s topic – acknowledging and validating – can apply almost from birth. Acknowledging and validating are easy skills, once you’re familiar with them, but they may take a little getting used to. Acknowledging is letting someone …
Category Archive: Parenting
Mar 01
Quality Time
Welcome to the re-launch of my blog for moms! Each week I’ll post a new blog, along with a related assignment. I picked this as the first topic because many moms find quality time to be a challenge – both making it, and figuring out what it consists of. So, to start with, what is …
Jun 21
Rules of engagement part 1 – You vs. Child
This week we’re beginning a look at drawing appropriate battle lines on the family front, and handling disagreements, arguments and quarrelling in your household. This week’s blog addresses disputes between you and your children; next we’ll examine sibling squabbles and the issue of fighting in front of your kids. You vs. child – This …
Jun 07
Raising sons
Last week we looked at raising daughters, so this week we’re addressing sons. Did you think, before you had kids, that boys and girls behaved differently because of how they were raised? Many mothers of boys initially assume (and you know what they say about assuming) that a tranquil household environment paired with calm, gender-neutral …
May 30
Raising daughters
It should be so easy, right? You used to be little yourself, so bringing up a confident, self-assured, happy young woman ought to come naturally… but of course it’s not that simple. Many books have been written on this subject (a few of which I’ve referenced below), so a short article can barely scratch …
May 18
Role Models
You and your spouse, of course, are the primary role models for your children, as we looked at last week. However, as kids approach school-age they become more influenced by media and popular culture, and this may lead to interest in role models (celebrities, athletes, etc.) who may or may not be setting such a …
May 12
Do as I say (not as I do)!
Moms are nothing if not teachers. It’s one of the basics of the job; every time you speak, you teach a lesson, instruct, share knowledge. Unfortunately, your actions tend to say even more than your words. You probably have a long list of qualities you try to teach your children, regarding their manners, behaviors, …
Mar 31
One size does not fit all
“I know just what you should do!” says the mom sitting next to you at the park, observing the tantrum your toddler is throwing at the moment. Ok, maybe she has a good idea, but chances are you know your child and the situation better than anyone else. In an effort to “solve” everyone’s parenting …
Mar 24
The Power of One (on one)
When I speak to mom groups, I often ask for words of wisdom: What do you do that makes you feel most connected to your child? What would you recommend to other moms? One answer that comes up over and over again is spending focused one-on-one time with each child. This sounds easy enough, but …