A friend recently posted on Facebook a picture of her three young children helping their dad build a deck. The … More
Tag: Consequences
The Power of No (Part 3)
Young teenagers often “cross the line.” It’s inevitable, so it should not surprise us. Yet, we should not just acquiesce … More
The Power of No (Part 2)
Sometimes a bad example is as motivating as a good one. I had just such an experience last Saturday: Guitar … More
How to Negotiate with Children
In a recent panel discussion about parenting on National Public Radio, “When No Means No” (11 minutes of audio), some … More
The Value of Pain
As I walk through the halls after school, there is a barrage of faces along my path. Some I know … More
Prepare Them for Life
Protection and provision are not enough. “Here’s the paradox: If we protect our children too absolutely, we actually end up … More
Mean Moms
Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them, as … More
Healthy Adults, Healthy Kids
Being healthy as an adult will yield both direct and indirect benefits for the kids in your care. Take care … More
Delayed Gratification
Very few things anymore take a long time to happen. Nearly everything is available in an instant. Instant messaging. Movies … More
Avoiding Alcohol in Adolescence
The following is an excerpt from “A sobering time for parents” by SHEILA WAYMAN (printed in the Irish Times 9-01-09) … More
Teenage Media Addiction
Children of the Screen As much as I like FaceBook and text messaging, I know that it needs to be … More
Training Up Independent Kids
Embracing Mistakes; Developing Problem-Solvers Thomas Edison believed that failure was not a bad thing; it merely directed him closer to … More
The Power of Choice
Children lack power. They can control very little in their lives, until they get a license to drive and the … More
Don’t Baby Them
BENEFITS OF STRUGGLING “A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and … More