Kids are naturally impulsive. Part of the reason boils down to basic biology. The prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is in charge of planning, decision making and moderating social behavior doesn’t fully develop until we’re 25 years old. (That explains a few things, doesn’t it?!) Living in a plugged-in society, instant gratification is more the […]
5 Questions to Ask Your Hyperconnected Kid Read More »
There’s no question that our culture values a certain kind of beauty often based on whomever is gracing the cover of the latest fashion magazines. Next time you pick up your favorite magazine, take a closer look at the cover, past the clothes, makeup and photoshopped body. Notice the power postures – hands on hips,
An Age-Proof Beauty Secret Read More »
1.) You teach manners. Even before your kids learned to speak, you taught “please” and “thank you”. You know that manners are the first step toward helping kids learn to treat others politely and respectfully whether they are interacting online or offline, with friends or individuals they don’t know. 2.) You nurture empathy. Empathy plays an
8 Signs You’re Raising a Thoughtful Communicator Read More »
If you follow me much, you know that I often offer tips to spark conversation. I do this because intentional conversation with our kids helps them practice their social skills (i.e., turn-taking, speaking, listening, etc.) in an entertaining way that also draws the family closer. Conversation matters. We build, break and repair relationships through our
The Communication Habit That’s Sure to Aggravate Your Kids Read More »
Sign up to receive a free family conversation starter delivered to your inbox every Monday morning beginning July 6. Although we may envision summer days as lazy and leisurely, for many of us summer means more time traveling in the car as we head off on family vacations or running kids to various activities and camps.
52 Weeks of Family Conversation Read More »
In my network and community, the past few months have been littered with a minefield of broken hearts among family, friends and acquaintances. I don’t mean the passing momentary “ugh, that was a bad day” sort of disappointments, but the kind of soul-crushing sadness that grips us when we lose someone we love to the
How to Support Those Who Grieve Read More »
Experts debate on whether or not you can become addicted to social media. An over-reliance on anything can affect your mood and your relationships. Since adolescents are by nature glued or “addicted” to their social network, it can be difficult for parents to know for sure if their tween/teen’s social media use is normal or
How Much is Too Much? Knowing When to Curb Your Child’s Social Media Use Read More »
Eating out offers a communication skill-building opportunity for kids. Kids acting up in restaurants results in bad press from time to time, but don’t let that deter you. While it won’t necessarily be relaxing for you (that’s what date night is for, right?!), taking your children out to eat periodically is an enriching experience that helps them learn important communication
How Dining Out Builds Communication Skills Read More »
Spelling out your family’s principles now can help later. Are your kids a few years away from owning a smartphone and stepping into social media? If so, now is the perfect time to get crystal clear about your family values reflected in the house rules you set. In many ways the online world still seems like the
Put Family Rules in Black & White Read More »
Welcome back to my “Inspiring Moms” monthly blog series, featuring moms who are inspiring connection in their communities! In this second installment, I would like to introduce you to Lara Krupicka, who has integrated connection with other moms as practically a way of life from her home in the suburbs of Chicago. You may have
Inspiring Moms Blog Series: Lara Krupicka Read More »