Communication with Kids can sometimes be tricky. This has become our springtime ritual on school mornings: Lily: Mom? Me:  Yes? Lily:  I don’t have to wear my coat today, do I? Me: Why would you think that? Have you checked the outside thermometer? Lily:  Yes! It says 80! Me: No, it actually says 30. And […]

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What’s a Great Parent? I can tell you what it isn’t. My children and I got into the van late. Again. We raced out of the driveway, headed to town, 16 miles away for a doctor’s appointment. I glanced in the rear-view mirror to confirm that everyone had seat belts on. Locking eyes with the […]

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Before we get into the serious topic of sibling abuse, we want to offer you a free tip sheet on “Five Things Successful Kids Know About Bullying.” It’s FREE. Download it now and get it into your teens’ hands before they need it. Click the button and let us know where to send it. Five […]

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Take My Breath Away (Or Knock the Wind Out of Me) The Difference is Resiliency A vivid childhood memory involves a bicycle and a sunny day, ingredients for a carefree summer afternoon in my hometown in Ohio.  I recall sailing down the sidewalk on my new, beloved green Schwinn bicycle. Who knew I would come […]

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It had cooled down to about 80 on the patio and Lily wanted to play “restaurant.”  She put on her skates, grabbed a tablet and pen and skated around “taking orders” from make-believe people.  Very soon I will be reminded that I am parenting strong-willed children. Me:  I think I will  stop for a cold […]

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Little People Land was interesting last week.  We thought we might be looking at some loving discipline for a few minutes when this happened: Little Person:  I am going to leave. Me:  Leave? Little Person: Yes, run away. Me:  Oh.  Well, I will miss you terribly. Little Person:  I am going anyway. Me:  That makes […]

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“Hurry!” my grandmother instructed my mother as she held a tissue to my nose, “get my scissors from the icebox.”   She slapped those icy metal scissors on the back of my neck and told me to put my head between my knees.  “There. Those scissors should cut the nosebleed!” she announced authoritatively. I was awed […]

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I Can Help with That Tantrum Would you be surprised to find out that there are five things your children hope you never discover about that tantrum? There are, and I know them! I have parented 16 children of all ages and am a Certified Parenting Coach. I have also become an expert on tantrums. […]

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Do you have children in your home with few verbal boundaries?  I sympathize with you! I also have a challenge on my hands as I teach communication skills to children. A Classic Case for Teaching Communication Skills to Children I dearly loved this little girl entrusted to me by the state foster care system.  However, […]

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Young child, with anger all over her face:  I hate you! I don’t want to be here! You’re not my mom, and I hate you! Me:  I understand you are upset. Remember that if you keep going, you will end up writing an apology note. Young child:  Never! I will never write an apology note.  […]

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