I was talking to a friend of mine who is a waitress here in town, and she asked me to give parents some tips about taking children out to restaurants. It seems this is a particularly challenging time of the … Continued
“I hate you!” Really? Did you hear that right? No – can’t be. But, actually… you did hear that right. That little person, your child, just yelled at you and said “I hate you”. How, and in what moral universe, … Continued
This week, I recorded a podcast where I talk about the interactions I’ve had with parents who took the time to personally respond to my recent blogs on Stress in Young Children. I talk about 3 separate conversations I had … Continued
This morning, before I sat down to write my weekly blog, I opened my email to find this message: Subject: It worked! Sally at 4.5 years is very emotional and tempestuous. She was lying on the floor and screaming because … Continued
“It must be the four-month sleep regression. She just suddenly started waking up a lot more. I can’t figure out what to do about it. I should probably start serious sleep training.” “My six week old starts flailing his arms … Continued
Did you love Halloween when you were a kid? I did. I loved dressing up, but I don’t remember any of my costumes. I do know that they were pretty simple back then. My mother was a dreadful sewer – … Continued
“When my parents check their phones while I’m talking to them, I feel like I’m not important.”Those were the words of a ten-year-old boy. He was interviewed for a study on the effect of parental use of smartphones on their … Continued
The way you raise your boy now will strongly impact the kind of father they will become. Have you ever wondered about how your father became the way that he is? Last week, I had an experience that confirmed with me what I’ve observed to be true … Continued
We dread them, we hate them, we get thrown off our game when they happen. Sometimes they seem to come out of nowhere. Sometimes we can see them coming. We all experience them as parents and I’ve yet to meet … Continued
It’s almost time for the beginning of the school year. And for many children, it’s not “Back to School”, but “Beginning School, or preschool, or daycare” for the first time. This is a momentous time for children and for their … Continued
Remember life before children? You’d see a child screaming in the supermarket and you said… “I’d never let my child do that!” Or you’d hear a parent say “If you just sit quietly for a few more minutes I’ll buy … Continued
When it comes to caring for a baby, I’m always amazed how moms are surprised that other moms are having the same experiences. This past week I was the guest presenter at a Parents’ Support Group. They wanted me to … Continued
80% of the world’s children are spanked. Think about that. 80% of the world’s children are spanked! This is based on research conducted worldwide by Unicef in 2014. By most of the world’s population, physically hurting children is an accepted … Continued
“My daughter and I are so much happier now. I finally learned that it’s ok to say “no” sometimes and to guide and direct her behaviour. We actually get along much better. I can’t believe it!” These were the words … Continued
“Every time he talks back to me, something in me just snaps”. Those were the words from a grandma who told me about the challenges she was having with her 10-year-old grandchild who was visiting her. Every time she was … Continued
Having a baby is a great act of faith. We believe, hope and pray that these precious little beings that we bring into the world will have a good life, that they’ll be healthy and happy, find work that they … Continued
I took a much-appreciated vacation this past week, going to the beautiful, some say magical coastal town of Tofino, BC. The road to Tofino wound dizzyingly through glorious snow covered peaks, sparkling mountain lakes, lush rainforests, and along the mighty … Continued
From the moment our children are born, we are checking the charts, comparing our babies with the “shoulds” of whatever age they are. We constantly compare with other parents, with our relatives, with other kids in our children’s classes. We … Continued
Parents regularly experience shame around parenting. I see it all the time… “I love nursing her to sleep. I know I shouldn’t do that.” “I love tucking him into bed with us and snuggling up with him. It’s just so … Continued
This week, the news media were having a feeding frenzy over one new baby sleep research study out of Australia. The headlines were short, big and bold. Let Babies Cry To Sleep? Study Says It’s Not ‘Emotionally Harmful’ – Time Magazine … Continued
“If you do that, you’ll ruin your kids for life.” How would you feel if someone said that to you? If you are a strong and confident parent, you’d hear it, think about it, maybe do some research, or file … Continued
“Be careful to step away from the water spray,” the mom said to her 3-year-old daughter. It was a very hot day and the store next to the crosswalk where we all stood waiting to cross had its water mister … Continued
This week a dear family friend passed away. He was a husband, father, grandpa, friend, as well as a loved university professor, His wife, a mom and a grandma, and a devoted reader of my blog asked me to write … Continued
The issue of “spoiling a child” is obsessive in our culture. And now, seeing as it’s summer, a lot of people have family visiting. So even though the weather is lovely, moms have been telling me they are having a tough time … Continued
“Don’t be such a momma’s boy.” “Careful you don’t turn her into a daddy’s girl.” When it comes to the development of young children, there is such a strong push in our culture to force kids to be independent, even … Continued