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An Easy Solution To Attention-Seeking Behavior

It never fails. As soon as I get on the phone, Tyler has to interrupt me to show me something or tell me something. I’ve explained to him that when I am on the phone he’s not to interrupt me unless it’s an emergency or something extremely urgent. Of course to him everything is urgent. Short of never having a conversation when he’s around or locking myself in the bathroom, what are my options? I understand that he does this to get my attention but it’s not fair, I cry. I should be able to have a conversation with someone … Continue reading →

Child’s Play

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“Does being a grown-up mean you’ve outgrown child’s play?” This question was posed in the Summer 2006 issue of Wondertime. The article espoused the benefits of playing with your kids. I play all the time with Tyler, I thought. Then it occurred to me that sometimes when we are playing I am not being as attentive as I should be. In doing so, I am not reaping all the benefits of this special bonding time. When Tyler was a baby, I was certainly more attentive. I watched his every move checking to see how he was developing. I delighted in … Continue reading →

Bartering for Time

Sometimes as parents, we have to barter with our kids in order to get what we want. This is especially true if we have young kids who demand a lot of our time and attention. Being a writer, I don’t work traditional hours. I am often waiting on callbacks that come after 3:00 when Tyler is home or on the weekend. Deadlines loom and if bills are to be paid, well, I have to meet them. What I have found useful is to trade off with Tyler. If I really need to get something done I will tell him that … Continue reading →

Listening to Your Kids

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“Mama, I wanna tell you something.” This seems to be Tyler’s mantra. I hear it from the time he gets home from school until he closes his eyes for bed. There’s always some fascinating “Did you know…?” story he wants to share with me. At times it can be hard to listen to him all the time, especially when I’m trying to work but I try to give him a few minutes of attention, listen to what he has to say, and then continue with what I was doing. “A mother who listens shows her children they matter”, says Michele … Continue reading →

My Family Meltdown at Family Yoga

I thought I would share my teaching struggle with other parents who teach their children. Although, I’m not usually teaching my child because he goes to public school, I did have him in the Family Yoga class that I taught yesterday. I’ll start by saying that I truly respect parents who can patiently teach, coach or lead a group of kids that includes one of their own. If anyone knows what the behavioral meltdown that occurs in this situation is called, I would love to know. Something about being a yoga teacher makes me superimpose this idea that I’m supposed … Continue reading →

Catch Your Kids Being Good

How many times have you heard some parenting expert remark that we should catch our kids being good? How many times have we caught our kids being good but failed to acknowledge their efforts? I admit many times I catch Tyler being good and I don’t say anything. But no more. I’ve discovered that sometimes the simplest gestures mean a lot to young kids. I’ve been having almost nightly struggles with Tyler at bedtime. He plays around for nearly an hour most nights before he finally zonks out. I read recently that an early bedtime is for the benefit of … Continue reading →