12 Ways to Encourage Failure and Why You Definitely Want to Do it

Newborn-22

Now why in the world would I suggest that you’d want to encourage your child to fail? Well, current research is telling us interesting things about which character traits are associated with lifelong achievement and success. It’s also showing us that these “traits” are not simply inborn, but can be actively taught. Character traits like grit, perseverance, and tenacity turn out to be much higher predictors of accomplishment than test scores, grades, or even IQ. It turns out that even smart kids who lack these skills often end up leaving college without a degree or have a difficult … [Continue reading...]

You Don’t Have to Work So Hard to Entertain Your Baby

You Don't Have to Work So Hard to Entertain Your Baby

Well, the secret’s out. We’re expecting! And as I contemplate the inevitable chaos of introducing an infant into all of our lives there’s one idea that brings me a huge amount of peace and calm. It’s the notion that babies can actually entertain themselves. I was first introduced to this idea by Janet Lansbury and if you want to explore this further, I highly recommend her website janetlansbury.com It’s filled with information about how to be respectful to even the youngest infants and some of the underlying messages I’ve gotten from her work with babies are: 1)   You … [Continue reading...]

4 Keys to Setting Boundaries That Get Respected WITHOUT Using Bribes, Threats, or Punishment

Setting Boundaries That Get Respected

My daughter is about to turn three and her willfulness is definitely growing, as is her ability to reason and negotiate for what she wants. I wish I could say that this means that conflicts and tantrums are even further reduced, but on the contrary, it seems that her new negotiating skills simply fuel the [...]

[Continue reading...]

7 Keys to Getting Kids to Listen

7 Keys to Getting Kids to Listen

Isn’t it amazing how selectively our kids listen to us? If they don’t like what they’re hearing, they have an uncanny ability to tune it out and engross themselves in a book or toy instead. I’m sure you’ve experienced this universal kid skill. The thing is, it’s not just children who tune out. We do [...]

[Continue reading...]

Guest Post: Finding Contentment in the Midst of Chaos

Finding Contentment in the Midst of Chaos

Guest Post by Heather Chauvin I used to believe that parenting was this ‘life sucking’ transition where you no longer can do anything for yourself and only give give give. That parenting model wasn’t working for me. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I knew something needed to change. The [...]

[Continue reading...]

The Little Known Secret to Happier Healthier Kids

Mud Pies

We all want what’s best for our kids, but with all of the conflicting information out there, sometimes it’s difficult to tell exactly what that might be. Rest assured, what I’m about to share with you is one of the easiest ways you can help your child develop a healthy immune system and prevent depression [...]

[Continue reading...]

Want to Instantly Turn Defiance Into Cooperation? Try This!

From Defiance to Cooperation

Some of the most frustrating moments I’ve experienced while being with young people are those times when I really need their cooperation and instead I get met with defiance. I’m trying to get out the door and they refuse to put on their shoes. I want to sit down for dinner and they’re running around [...]

[Continue reading...]

7 Secrets to Getting Kids to Clean Up Joyfully

7 Secrets to Getting Kids to Clean Up

Getting kids to clean up after themselves can be quite a battle. They’re really good at making messes, but when we ask them to clean up, they look at us like we’ve just spoken Swahili. Trust me, they’re not trying to be annoying. They really are confused about how to go about it and they [...]

[Continue reading...]

Terrified of the Terrible Twos? How About Terrific Twos Instead!

AwakeParenting-8879

Yes, it is true that two-year-old children don’t have much impulse control or emotion regulation skills and that coupled with their very strong preferences has given them a bad reputation as irrational and explosive. I’ve been told all sorts of things about “the terrible twos,” especially when I was a nanny and again as I [...]

[Continue reading...]

Do You Recognize the 7 Warning Signs of a Toddler About to Hit or Bite?

7 Warning Signs Your Toddler Is About to Hit or Bite

It seems to come out of nowhere. One second your toddler is playing peacefully near a friend, and the next moment the other child is running to you screaming, “He bit me!” or “She hit me!” You feel embarrassed, confused, and unsure how to proceed. Meanwhile the other child’s mom is staring at you like, [...]

[Continue reading...]