Search Results for: blog why your behavior matters to your child

Think First

“You’re a waste of human skin.” I’ve thought that about several people I’ve met over the years, but I certainly wouldn’t say it to them. It’s not because I fear their reaction; rather, it boils down to self control. Think before you act; in the end, it could prevent a lot of unnecessary drama. Too bad parents in Berlin, Maryland, couldn’t exercise the simple rule. Doing so, would have kept them out of the headlines. Unfortunately, now, the entire world knows the small town is home to a bunch of bullies. You can read all about the bully war thanks … Continue reading →

Moms Stink at Money Matters

Hey, I’m just the messenger. Personally, I think most moms rock at finances, but according to the gurus at LearnVest (a personal finance website for women), most women with kids fall short when it comes to making wise financial decisions. And why do the brainiacs at LearnVest think moms stink when it comes to handling money? We’re. Too. Nice. Apparently, sugar and spice and everything nice is a very bad combo when it comes to money. LearnVest experts claim that because moms are “too nice” and “too nurturing” they end of falling into an abyss of money problems. Competition is … Continue reading →

Dogs Are as Smart as Toddlers (When it Comes to Hand Signals)

Two different studies recently took a look at how well dogs learn and understand hand signals. The first study (from Eotvos University) tested dogs against two-year-old children and three year old children. Testers used a variety of gestures like finger pointing, elbow pointing, and leg pointing to help the kids find a favorite toy… and help the dogs find tasty treats. Both the dogs and the two-year-olds had no problem with the majority of the gestures. Pointing with a knee gave both groups a little trouble, as did an arm pointing one way with a finger pointing a different way … Continue reading →

John Edwards and Victoria Osteen – Tarnished Images?

This week, two high profile people appeared in new articles for not so stellar behavior. Former senator and vice presidential hopeful John Edwards finally admitted to having an extramarital affair. The National Enquirer broke this story quite a while ago, but I wanted to think it was just tabloid fluff. But, they got it right this time. Edwards admitted to having an affair with film maker Rielle Hunter in 2006, but denied being the father of her child, despite not having taken a paternity test yet. His former aide, Andrew Young, has said he is the father of the child. … Continue reading →

Perceptions of Homeschooling from the Media

I just read a 10 page article on homeschooling that showed up in my Google Alerts today. It actually turned out to be dated Oct 5, 1998, but it came to my email box as new news. Still, there were several statements in this article about homeschooling that caught my eye. I will address them below. “Americans are becoming fussy consumers rather than trusting captives of a state monopoly,” says Chester Finn, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank. “”They’ve declared their independence and are taking matters into their own hands.” I don’t think that … Continue reading →

If it’s Making You Crazy—Try Easing Up

I do not think it matters how sweet and angelic of a child you have, at some point, there are going to be behaviors and personality quirks that drive you crazy! Whether your cherubic baby develops into a picky eater or will wear nothing but shorts and rubber boots for his entire fourth year (I had one of those)—there are going to be things that come up and you are going to be tempted to battle and battle and battle. The only advice I can offer after two decades of parenting is that sometimes easing up is really the best … Continue reading →

What NOT to do When Your Toddler Refuses to Move

Have you ever been in public and your sweet angelic child ends up throwing the temper tantrum to end all temper tantrums? She screams, she yells, and she refuses to get up? My twins have an advantage because I can really only pick up one at a time–and they know it. But I saw something curious yesterday–I’ve actually seen parents do this before–but for some reason it struck me as especially illogical yesterday. Amazingly, my twins were well behaved yesterday on our outing. But some other mother was having one hard time with her baby who I am guessing to … Continue reading →

Negative Reaction Addiction – Could Your Child Have It?

Regardless of your child’s diagnostic “label” (or lack thereof), if your son or daughter is persistently defiant and difficult, he or she might just have an addiction. In this case I’m not talking about a drug addiction, but an addiction to the negative reactions of others. In their book, Transforming the Difficult Child, Howard Glasser, MA, and Jennifer Easley, MA describe difficult children as being “literally addicted to negative reactions.” It sounds a little peculiar, but it makes sense. Some children continue to defy authority, rebel, throw tantrums, and do inappropriate things over and over again. (I’m referring to children … Continue reading →

Deal With Your Own Feelings First

If you have ever traveled on an airplane, you know that you are told that should an emergency arise, you should put on your own oxygen mask first, before attending to your child. For many of us parents, this seems counter-intuitive. Aren’t we trained and conditioned to meet our child’s needs first and then look after our own? The point, of course, it that unless we are healthy and stable, we will not be able to look after our child’s needs. When a major crisis, event or difficult time occurs in a family, a parent needs to figure out and … Continue reading →

Things Getting a Bit Heated? Learn to Diffuse, NOT Inflame

Imagine you’re a fire fighter, rushing to the scene of a blaze that has just broken out at a residence. You run up onto the scene, and start screaming, “Another fire! I hate fires! Why are there always fires? This is so aggravating!” In the meantime, the kitchen cabinets in the house are now burning more intensely. “I always have to deal with these blazes, and it’s driving me crazy!” you shout. Then you pull from your bag a flask of gasoline, dousing the fire with it. As the flames rage higher, you say, “Quit burning! I mean it! I … Continue reading →