Parenting Articles

Separated parents in dispute: Don’t drag in your service providers! Separated parents in high conflict have a way of dragging others into their dispute. Not just family friends, and neighbours, but every professional associated with the children. The parents seek to bolster their claims to ...

“10, 9, 8… check responsibility levels… 7, 6, 5… check independence levels… 4, 3, 2… Houston, we have a problem. Johnny’s 18 but not ready to launch. He’s not ready to live on his own. Abort launch!” It is a commonly held believe that once children graduate high school, they move out of their parents’ home and start a life of their own. This is often referred to as a launch. Thus the failure to launch, like the popular movie of the same name, is when child

Are you confused by all the information out there in cyberspace regarding the use of praise with children? Is there a best way to praise a child and should a parent of a child with Autism distribute praise differently? If you look at the literature on using praise with children over the past 20 years or so, experts have been on both ends of the spectrum. Many experts have claimed that praise is necessary to enhance a child's positive sense of self and others have stated that we have overinflated their self-esteem.

Is your marriage at odds with your parenting? Do you tell your children one thing while your spouse disagrees? Inside you'll find 3 ways to create a family team. "They say it takes a village to raise a child. That may be the case, but the truth is that it takes a lot of solid, stable marriages ...

Choosing Mr. Right Some women find it difficult finding Mr. Right. They may be jumping into the relationship too quickly. These strategies may save a lot of disappointment and hurt: Determine if this should even get started: For whatever reason, men of limited virtue seem to have radar for ...

KIDGUARD EDITOR rnYour child has a smart phone, a laptop, a tablet and total use of the home computer. Having a child who’s online almost always isn’t exactly far from the norm. Roughly 24 percent of all children ages 13 to 17 go online “almost constantly,” according to the Pew Research Center. And, that doesn’t mean the rest of those teens aren’t going online. Fifty-six percent of teens are online “several” times a day and 12 percent are on the Internet once

Eliminating the Word NO! One word no one likes to be told is NO! Usually when we are told NO it makes us desire to do something even more. To be rebellious or defiant or just plain pig headed. Think about reverse psychology and how it works. You usually do or think the opposite to what is expected. Eliminating the word no, is not never using it, it’s just saying it differently. Funny we say No to our kids all the time and then as adults, especially us mums, end up struggling to please everyone and afraid of saying No! It comes full circle.

If you are in the hunt for school supplies for your children, it is better to have an idea, from where to buy them at the cheapest price you can get. In these tough economic times, every penny saved on your purchases can help you a lot to make ends meet. By buying these supplies which you can afford without breaking the bank and can go a long way, if you know where to look and you would see so many places where you can find the best deals on cheap school supplies. For starter

Homework is a child’s responsibility, so we need to be careful how much we help. We want to be aware of what our children are doing and be involved in helpful ways, but not help too much. Avoid the word "we" — it implies that homework is our responsibility. Say, "When are you going ...

Adoption is often a complex, emotionally-charged experience for some or all of the parties involved. It can be a bewildering, uncertain time, particularly for the birth mother, who is probably wrestling with feelings of what to do, and questioning whether the right decisions are being made. Even though sometimes having too many alternatives runs the risk of adding another layer of complexity (so many choices, which to take?) there is one option that really needs to be brought

One of our biggest challenges our business faces is importing products from the USA into Canada in an economical fashion so that we can keep the price low for our customers. Our best selling products are strollers by Dreamer Design. Here are the strategies that we have developed that allow us to keep our prices low for our customers in Canada. 1. We buy in large quantities. The cost of shipping the product is greatly reduced when we buy in large quantities. 2. We have a ware

As mothers, we play so many different roles and most of us do not take the time off that we deserve. Just think about it, we play doctor, cook, chauffeur, teacher, lawyer, and the occasional referee as well. nnI bet you can remember the last time you did a load of laundry, the last time one of your little ones gave you a hug or perhaps the last time one of your little ones created a little artwork on the wall (smile) but when was the last time you took time out for you? nnIt

Ah, Newlyweds… then reality sets in. The wedding day is met with much anticipation. Bright eyed, eager, some butterflies, plans in place. So much thought and preparation for a single event. Then the honeymoon and then back to real life. There is often magical thinking that goes into a wedding. ...

Many mothers view their commute home from work with mixed feelings. Yes, it will be nice to change into your sweat pants. Yes, it’s nice to catch up with your children. It’s not so pleasant to think about making dinner, washing soccer uniforms and finding a plastic whale for your son’s last-minute diorama project. Don’t forget to add the guilt because you nag about homework rather than play a rousing game of Candy Land. Relax! Get in your comfy clothes and try some of these

Does trying to get your children to open up about their day feel like an inquisition? Do you feel like you’re giving your child the third degree to tell you anything about their life? If so, here are some simple, effective ways you can help your child open up and share more about their day and life. You: “What did you learn today?” Child: “Nothing” You: “Do you have any homework? Child: "Nope" You: “Did you make a new friend?” Child: "Yep"

When I told my husband in a burst of excitement that I had found a whole series of books on romantic weekends in Southern California, Northern California, New England and points in between he said, "Does it come with a baby sitter?"nnI have listened as many couples argued about what is normal when it comes to separate vacations from kids. There is no normal. Normal kids and normal parents vary in their comfort level with various separations. The critical thing is that each pe

Even though surrogacy in Florida is one of the best options for couples who are unable to conceive a child, there are still many problems that couples should consider to make sure that the whole process will not turn into despair. Here are some tips to when looking for a Florida surrogate: • Seek for professional help – You can fine vast information on the internet. This will help you become aware of other people’s experience and learn from them.rn• Select mothers who

The following points are helpful in strengthening and supporting a healthy sense of self-esteem: 1. Help your child learn how to make and keep friends. Healthy friendships are important, because children in this age group are increasingly sensitive about how their friends feel about them. ...

Can Your Children Be Honest? Parenting Advice: Establishing Open Communication and Trust Written by Randi G Fine Children go through phases, particularly during their adolescent years, when they see no logical or justifiable reason to communicate with their parents for any reason other than to have their most basic needs or their material desires met. After spending ten or so years as the apple of their child’s eye, parents are suddenly seen as the “lamest” people on the pla

Graduation, whether it’s from kindergarten, high school, college, medical or law school, is a significant and memorable accomplishment and one that should receive special recognition.n nThe challenge for friends and family members of the “honoree” is finding a graduation gift idea that is unique, creative and personalized for the graduate. With the wide variety of graduation gift ideas out there, finding a really special graduation gift can be a daunting task.n nThe fol

The throwaway society that is the Western World in the 21st century is the reason for the depletion of the planet of natural resources, polluting it and ultimately destroying it for future generations. To counteract the damage that mankind is inflicting on the Earth, we need to start thinking about using sustainable products which use as little energy and waste as possible in their manufacture. Here is an ethical shopping list, designed with being kind to ourselves and our pl

Do you practice safe technology? If you think you do, think twice. There is no such thing. No matter what the privacy settings, whenever you use social media you are leaving a digital footprint of something. It can be as little as your location; who you are connected to; what you have just been shopping for; what you have just been viewing. With just that, you can receive targeted ads, links to websites and other content based on the analysis of those little data-bits left behind.

So, one of the problems with attending a Super Bowl party when you don’t really care much about football, is that you tend to spend the entire evening hovering around the buffet table. This would be the definition of mindless eating.rn rnWhich, of course, is the exact opposite of mindful eating.rn rnDespite fifteen months of nutritional education and dedication to the Body Ecology Diet , I fell off the healthy eating wagon with a thump. Okay, to be perfectly honest, I kind

Dear Friends, I originally wrote this post back in February. Still, whether it is the bitter winds of winter or spring's April showers that are keeping you indoors, it pays to make sure that you and your family are getting enough of the sunshine vitamin . Enjoy! nnWho knew that a week at Disney World could be good for your family’s health?n nWe are happily spending two weeks in Florida right now. While the kids were equally excited about the prospect of spending time with G

Marriage and parenting require modeling listening skills. When your partner speaks, do you listen, interrupt, or walk away? What do your children see? Look inside to find out what one successful couple did. Ed and Marilyn, married over 25 years, meet my husband, Jim, and me at a fancy ...

Let’s say you are involved in a litigation (court) process to address a parenting dispute and it looks like that train is careening out of control. You can’t foresee using mediation or collaborative law because either you or your former partner won’t agree to this. There may be a custody/access assessment you view as unfavorable and perhaps wrong or biased or inadequate and your lawyer has likely warned you or may even be evasive about the prospects of you winning your case.

Young children take pride in doing things for themselves like getting dressed. However, sometimes their sense of urgency in completing a task doesn’t always match their parents’ sense of urgency. Parents quickly learn that encouraging their children to “hurry up” doesn’t work well. One mom ...

Death is one of those lessons we hope our children will not have to experience early in life. However, given death is an inescapable fact of life, we know our children will eventually need to deal with it. When and how we discuss death with our children will depend on their ages and the ...

A parent called me asking for me to provide an assessment. I explained I do not provide court involved services anymore and explained why. The caller asked for a referral to someone who did. I offered the name of a respected colleague. The caller emailed thereafter and included in the email messages that had been posted about the colleague on the Internet. The postings portrayed my colleague quite terribly. The caller wanted to understand how I could refer to such a person. My reply was this:

If you have found out that you are pregnant, the time has come for you to take a close look at your diet. Diet and pregnancy go hand in hand. Through this article you are provided with an overview of some suggestions that are important to you when it comes to diet and pregnancy. Armed with this information you will be in the best position to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.nnThe first step that you must take when it comes to your diet and your preg

You are in conflict with your former partner. You see a family lawyer who tells you s/he can be of assistance. The lawyer offers to send a letter of introduction to your former partner or their lawyer and in so doing, sets the tone for the process of settlement. That first communication often describes a one-sided perspective to the situation; who is responsible for what; and what is required to resolve the matter – again, all one-sided. Naturally what occurs next is a reply, offering again a one-sided perspective but from the other person’s point of view.

If there’s one thing that every parent should be able to agree on, it’s that society today isn’t particularly moral. Pornography, drug use, and criminal activity are rampant; raising a child in such a world is emotional and nerve-wracking for any parent. Protecting your children against sexual immorality, addictive substances, and criminal activity is increasingly difficult. So, how does a parent raise a moral child in such a world? Unfortunately, nobody has

It was a typical evening in our home. Arguments from my teenager, opposition from my preschooler – family dynamics that were driving me crazy. I don’t remember quite what sent me over the edge. I do remember reaching my limit. We’ve all been there. However, this time, for me, was different. Usually, I am a flexible and patient parent. Mrs. Incredible I was not this night. I was unwilling to stretch any further. In other words, I developed an immediate no-nonsense attitu

My Child is Odd The child may act the class clown. The child may prefer to hang out with the adults. The child likely uses phrases, innuendo, jokes or sarcasm heard from others, but uses them inappropriately, at the wrong time, with the wrong persons. The child has a poor sense of boundaries, ...

n n Parenting Advice nIt is important that you understand what type of parent you want to be in order for you for to maintain consistency and clarity. Here is some terrific parental advice from the experts.n nThere is general consensus around parents providing the basic necessities, with increasing interest in children's rights within the home environment.nn Providing physical security nnProviding physical security refers to a safety of a child's body, safety of a child's lif

For the Sake of the Kids…..NOT!!!

Thirty or 40 years ago parenting in an authoritative manner i.e. "Do it because I said so and I'm the parent" was the cultural norm. "Children should be seen and not heard" was a mantra that many of our parents used. We weren't asked about what we wanted for dinner, we weren't offered choices, ...

Every New Year, many of us set goals and resolve to meet them — only to become discouraged and quit. Here are suggestions for removing the most common barriers blocking our success — in parenting, our careers, marriage...and Life! First, set attainable goals. To illustrate, consider ...

Believe it or not, school is just around the corner. Back to school sales have been going on for several weeks. Letters have arrived in the mail with dates for orientation and enrollment. Children and parents alike have mixed feelings about returning to school. Returning to school can be traumatic for children with challenging behaviors. I always encourage parents to get an early start on monitoring how their child is doing in school. Prevention and early intervention are the keys to success.

This is an especially personal share today. The story is so moving, so inspiring, that I felt those of you in the middle of it, may find hope that there is an end of the tunnel. I'll need to rewind tape a bit, though, because the events that lead up to the most amazing Halloween I've ever had ...

A baby is considered as pure joy by parents. Having a baby is like being in heaven. A baby can provide you so many blissful moments that you would love to cherish for the rest of your life. In fact, life has no meaning without it. A baby is truly celebration of womanhood. When a woman gets married, she plans for a baby in the first year of marriage or later on. As a baby plays an important role in the lives of a couple, the naming of baby is also given due importance. Sometim

Why is it so hard for parents to be consistent when disciplining their children? Many factors come into play. How tired are you?! How persistent is your child? How were you disciplined? What kind of parenting style do you have? Does the other parent agree with you on discipline methods and ...

Are you a parent struggling with your children? Consider these tips and parent effectiveness training to get things back on track. You'll want to do this because the last thing anyone needs in life, is extra aggravation from their children. Life is already tough enough. So let's get to some solutions since, as a fellow parent, I know how limited your free time is. First: This is perhaps the most important tip. You must, from this moment, forget about what has already happened up till now. This refers to a few things, so let us further explain.

As a parent, you try to instill certain values and expectations in your children so that they can be happy and successful in life. You’ve taught them to say no to drugs and constantly encourage them to do well in school; but what happens when it gets complicated and the two begin to intermingle?rn One of the newest trends among teenagers and college-aged students is taking medications prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD) in order to improve their performances at

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a serious criminal offence that can land a person behind bars. The pity in the present society is that the number of teenage DWI offender is really increasing and parents must play a dominant part to curb it. Parental Guidance curbs Alcohol Abuse Recently, studies had been conducted on 15- 16 year old UK students to see the link between parental guidance and alcohol abuse . It has been clearly proven that parental guidance has decreased the

If you are a parent of out of control teens, there is no doubt that at times, you may feel like a bad parent. We'll discuss why this has to be let go of so that you can turn your family situation around. In the event you have out of control teens hanging out in your home, you almost certainly at times, really feel like you have done a terrible job bringing up your youngsters. Even in the tiniest probability that this is the situation, that's not the conce any longer. The problem now is, how will you switch your circumstance into something better.

“Jillian, if you don’t stop talking back to me, you’re going to sit in the time out area until you learn to respect me!”nn“You know that when children in this family won’t put their toys away they have to sit in time out. Is that what you want? If not, you better start putting those toys away right now.”nn“Roberta, you’re being naughty. Naughty girls have to sit in this naughty chair until they learn their lesson. Go to the naughty chair now. I’ll tell you

Taking a good baby care of your newborn is the desire of every parent and for fulfilling this purpose parents read books, surf on internet, get advice from their elders on pre parental, or post parental practices. In the beginning, it’s normal to get upset and nervous on how to provide flawless baby care to your growing baby, but if you carefully examine every skill to deal with your newborn then you won’t face any trouble in providing cuddle care to your baby. The most f

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of parenting kids, a common mistake involves the parent focusing too much on the child’s inappropriate action, and not focusing enough on the parent’s reaction to that action. For instance, say your toddler is behaving inappropriately in a public setting, like in church. While the Pastor attempts to deliver a moving sermon, yours is the only child determined to move right along with it. He breaks free of your grasp and runs up and down th

A typical parenting challenge that causes many parents frustration can be expressed in the following question: "What do you do when you want your child to do something, and he responds with: 'I don't care', or 'I can do whatever I want to do', or 'I am not going to my room', or 'try to catch me', or 'I won't eat this, you can't make me'"?