How can a person be so sweetly adorable one minute and so completely exasperating the next? Toddlers may have small bodies, but anyone who has ever parented one knows they have voluminous, moody spirits that can cause tremors in a room and test the most patient parent. Toddlers are fascinating creatures who love to test our boundaries, wherever and whenever the […]
Navigating the Tumultuous Toddler Years 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 »
Raise your hand if you’re like me and have a youngster who loves to play video games. Although screen time is pretty limited in our household that hasn’t dimmed my son’s interest in gaming. Gaming has become increasingly social. Even if kids don’t play the games together, they talk to each other about the games they
How to Evaluate Games and Apps for Kids 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 »
Find the perfect gift idea for mom this year. Mother’s Day is right around the corner. If you need a little help coming up with an idea beyond flowers and chocolate (which are always nice, too), here are a few ideas and products that moms I know say they love: Cooking gadgets. Got a mom
What Does Mom Want? Read More »
Multiple studies find that families who eat dinner together have children who are less likely to engage in drug abuse, experience teen pregnancy and/or drop-out of school. What makes dinner time so special? “There is nothing inherently magical about dinner, but for most families it is simply the most reliable time of the day to connect with one another. It
A Book Review of “Home for Dinner” 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 »
We are often treated to salacious stories about the shadowy side of social media. And while it is true that bad things can happen (and they do, both online and offline), consider the many positive ways kids can use social media. As a space for creativity. If your child has a passion for photography, artwork
The Upside of Social Media Connected Kids Read More »
An old-school communication skill every child needs to master. Eye contact is a critical social skill and a sign of self-confidence. But as we all know, teaching kids to develop good eye contact isn’t always easy. Heck, even many adults struggle with eye contact. And in an era where it is easy to duck behind phones
Teaching Kids Eye Contact Read More »