Search Results for: blog reassurance is a skill

Reassurance is a Skill

I think that the ability to reassure our children is one of the most oft-used and important skills in parenting–and, I do think it is a skill that can be practiced and nurtured. We start out with our tiny babies, needing to instill confidence and let them know that we will be there to meet their needs and look after them whatever arises–BUT, as our children grow and head out into the world, it is often our reassurance that keeps them moving forward and fosters their resiliency. Reassuring our child means letting him know that we have confidence that everything … Continue reading →

Preschool Etiquette: Proper Introductions

The first lesson in preschool etiquette is the proper introduction. Children can be shy so often they have a hard time saying “hello” or talking to new people. Often they appear shy even when seeing the same person a few times before they learn to be bold enough to say hello. It is okay for a child to be shy with new people. In fact, it is best if they are leery of people they do not know. Yet, we also want to teach our children to be friendly and introduce themselves or answer questions properly. Teaching the Proper Introduction … Continue reading →

Getting Kids to Talk About Things when They don’t Want to

There are times when our children desperately need to talk to us but they simply will not open up. As a concerned parent, we wonder whether we should badger and push them to talk to us, or respect their privacy and trust that they will talk to us when they are ready. Of course it depends on the child, but I think that we parents can develop skills and behaviors that can help our children to talk to us about those subjects and topics that are tough. I like to think of myself as a decent communicator and an open … Continue reading →

Movies Week in Review – February 18th – 23rd

It’s been a little quiet here in Movies this week, but every movie I reviewed was a winner–you can’t go wrong with any of my selections this time around. First, I really enjoyed “The Pursuit of Happyness.” Starring Will Smith as a man who can’t seem to support his family, try though he may, you’ll be inspired by our main character’s determination and drive. He rose above his poverty-stricken life to become one of the most successful stock brokers in our nation’s history. “I Could Never Be Your Woman” stars Michelle Pfeiffer as a mature television writer who gets tangled … Continue reading →

Learning How to Share Bad News with Your Child

Single parents are not the only parents who have to learn how to share and talk about bad news with their kids, but I do think it can be a big concern for single parents. Many of us have already been through some rough and rugged times with our children, but that doesn’t mean we have learned how to address and share the bad news yet. Most experts recommend that parents need to be honest, direct, and age appropriate when it comes to sharing bad news with kids. I think it is the “age appropriate” that can be hard for … Continue reading →

Coping with Midnight Bed Sneakers

I was asked a question by a working mom of three young school-age kids. She wanted to know how she could get her kids to stop “sneaking” into her bed at night. As she explained it, she is such a hard sleeper that when her kids come in, complaining of nightmares or other fears, she is not coherent enough to send them back to their own beds and often doesn’t even realize they are there until she wakes up in the morning. I could definitely relate as my son was one of those midnight sneakers—sometime in the dead of the … Continue reading →

Bonds Need to be Stretched and Tested

If you love something, set it free…blah blah blah—we’ve all heard that saying a zillion times and I’m sure it has been applied to parenting at least half that many times. In reality, however, our bonds with our children are strengthened and encouraged when they are stretched and tested. Often it is the being apart and going out into the real world that makes kids feel even closer and more attached to their parents and families. I know that it seems like it should be just the opposite—that we should keep our children in close and maintain our influence over … Continue reading →

Please Don’t Ignore Your Child in Public

Every day, I hear children competing for a parent’s attention in public: “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy” or “Where are we going? What does this mean? Mommy? Mommy? Daddy?” Meanwhile, the parent is carrying on a conversation with another adult, fussing over another, younger child, or simply ignoring the child who is getting increasingly louder and more manic. A word or two of attention from the parent could quiet and reassure the child and make things more pleasant and peaceful. Take it from someone who’s been there, I know how weary a parent can get of hearing questions and comments and … Continue reading →

Parents Have to Be True to Themselves, Too

I confess that I have read a lot of parenting books and articles in my time as a parent, I’ve also had hundreds of conversations with other parents, grandparents, non-parents, teachers, and experts. I have heard a lot of great ideas and values and belief systems. But what I have learned over time is that I cannot just “take on” anything and everything that comes my way. I have to be true and genuine to my own self and my own belief system too. Just as we encourage our children along the path to discovering who they are, what they … Continue reading →

Thinking “Attachment” During the Honeymoon.

When adoptive parents first bring home their new family member time is required for everyone to settle in and the honeymoon to be over. Generally, the first several weeks after a child has been placed with their new family will go well with few difficulties depending on the age of the child. Toddlers appear to have a slightly more difficult time transitioning because of their lack of ability to understand what is happening or express what they are feeling. The honeymoon is generally shorter with a toddler. Adoptive parents may have a child placed who clearly may have attachment difficulties, … Continue reading →