Why are you talking?
WAIT-ing helps us connect with our kids It was later than I wanted to be awake on a weeknight and yet there I was, in the kitchen arguing. Somehow I had gotten myself sucked in and was fully engaged with an unreasonable 14 year old boy. Truth be told, I probably wasn’t about to win […]
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.
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.
Standing Up to Teen Defiance
Siblings and rivalry go hand-in-hand so it’s no surprise that 14 year-old Preston taunts and pesters his younger brother, Kyle. Recently, Preston refused to stop pestering his brother and was provoking him by throwing things, hassling him and doing anything he could to elicit a response from his brother just for entertainment. This was much […]
Improve Your Kiddo’s Bad Sportsmanship in 5 Easy Steps
Seven year-old Elliott is becoming a bad sport at baseball. After his games, he complains about how unfair the ref was, how that throw WAS in, how he really did get that kid out. The ride home from games becomes an open arena for airing every grievance he has with his teammates and with himself. This […]
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 […]
What To Do If Your Teen is Taking 45 Minute Showers
My teenage daughter was taking 45 minute showers. I’d yell and scream at her that she was wasting water. I’d lecture that her showers were too long but nothing deterred her. Finally, I decided to replace action with threats and said “Sweetie, you get 15 minutes to shower and then I’m turning off the hot water.” […]
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 […]