Does your child “fit” your parenting style?
Our job is not to get them to fit in. Our job is to honor the uniqueness of these dear souls. After raising six kids, I finally really get it that there is no “right” or “best” way for a kid to be. Their light shines so differently.
Can you really force your child to behave?
Forcing your child to behave may seem like the best approach now, but what happens when you develop a pattern of needing your child to behave for you to be calm? You then give your child tremendous power. They now have a bit of control over your emotions.
Ugh…I just need a break!
Do you want to guess how many unused spa gift certificates I have laying around somewhere? Most days, it’s just unrealistic to slip away for a half-day or more. But, hey, I’d be happy to go to the bathroom uninterrupted.
How to Have a Better Family Dinner Conversation
It’s possible that dinner conversation is not quite what you had dreamed of. I had fantasies of a happy family gathered around, politely eating a meal that they appreciated and each person happily chatting about their day, one at a time. If you have that, congratulations. You have my respect. If that is still just […]
Parenting teens is challenging
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/defiance.jpg” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_text=”Holding your ground with a defiant teen” align=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] No matter who you are It was a typical drive to school with my 15 year old today. We started off pleasantly. Then I started running through […]
One Way to Start Mother’s Day 2020
I think the sweetest gift I could receive would be WORDS. Words that in spite of my imperfections, my humanity, my annoying idiosyncrasies, and my mistakes along the way … that they’ll take me the way I am. That I am enough.
Enforceable Statements Turn Your Words from Garbage to Gold
The Car Sanctuary
So often while driving, my kids would fall asleep and I found that to be a quiet peaceful time. So, I decided to make my car my sanctuary.
Calm Parenting
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] Before I had kids, I always pictured myself as a calm, loving, happy, and nurturing mother. I was sometimes. I still am sometimes. I didn’t realize how hard I would have to work sometimes just to avoid […]
Instead of M&M’s, Kids Need More N&Ns – AKA: My Kid Hates When I Say “No”
One day when I took my young son to Burger King, he wanted something he couldn’t have and I said no. It didn’t work out well for either of us. What he wanted was “white pop” (known to older kids as Sprite). I was OK with that. I held the cup to the Sprite label […]