What to Do if Your Kid Leaves Dirty Dishes Laying Around
Poised, charming 23-year old Annie sat on the couch in my counseling office today and told me a brilliant parenting strategy that her dad pulled on her when she was a young teen.
Ask Your Misbehaving Son: “What Kind of Man Do You Want to Grow Up to Be?”
While on vacation recently at the beach, a family of five found themselves having a less than ideal time together. Lying on the beach and doing absolutely NOTHING sounded perfect for the over-worked parents, but the two older boys, James and Liam, wanted ACTION and their little sister Mattie wanted to join in the fun. […]
A Teenage Storm Today Makes Way for a Sunny Tomorrow
There are many versions of a “Teenage Storm” – surly, annoyed, resentful, hurtful – perhaps it includes silence or is filled with an angry outburst claiming that you don’t understand. It could be your teen manipulating your emotions in the storm – looking for an opportunity to take advantage of your weakness. Whatever your particular […]
Do You Think These Parents Should Feel Guilty?
Do you think the following parents ought to feel guilty for their actions? Parent A: I said to my teenage daughter, “I wash clothes that are placed in the hamper.” They’ve been lying in a heap in her room…so she doesn’t have anything else to wear except her least favorite outfits. Parent B: My son […]
“I Want What’s On TV!”
My 4-year-old son wants everything he sees on TV so the other day when he said “Mom, I want that!” I used my “brain dead skills” and replied, “I know.” He finally stopped asking after 4-5 times of me saying “I know.” Then Daddy came home from work and my son looked at his […]
How Enforceable Statements Work for Picking Up Toys!
I needed my 2.5 yr old daughter to pick up her toys. She ignored me so I said “I only read stories to girls who pick up their toys.” She still didn’t do it and got distracted putting on dress up gloves. I thought I’d give her another opportunity and said “I have pumpkin bread for […]
Setting Limits for Bathtime
After our son threw water out of the bathtub I said, “What a bummer. It’s going to take a while to clean up the water so we won’t have time for books tonight.” He was devastated, but helped me clean up. He kept crying to read books and I used my brain dead statement and […]
Success Story: “I’m Not Going to Kiss You Anymore”
We always discuss in class about kids who will escalate to test the new skills mom and dad are using. It’s the old “short term pain for long term gain” adage. This mom thought it would be something only older kids would do, but preschoolers know how to escalate with hurtful words too. Luckily, this […]
When is it Okay to Rescue?
Those who know Love and Logic™ know the damage done by C.H.P.S.“Chronic Helicopter Parent Syndrome.” Parents who chronically rescue their kids from the consequences of their poor decisions create kids who are chronically irresponsible and chronically unhappy. “You are so weak that you can’t survive without me” is the unintentional yet very real message sent […]
Three Different Parenting Styles
Drill Sergeant | Helicopter | Consultant Were you raised by a “Drill Sergeant” always telling you to “Jump,” and you asking, “How high?” or were you raised by a “Helicopter” always hovering, ready to swoop in and rescue? Did you ever think about what kind of a message these parenting styles send to your kids? […]