Tag Archives: parenting
Don’t Just Say, “I’m sorry”
When a child has made a social mistake, or hurt someone’s feelings we often automatically tell them to “Say, you’re sorry.” Sometimes the child will say the words, but not connect them with any real feeling of regret for the … Continue reading
Loving Discipline for Babies and Toddlers
Scolding and timeouts don’t work for most babies and toddlers under 36 months. So what can you do? Distract them with a song, story or more interesting object or activity. Redirect their attention by bringing out a new or favorite … Continue reading
“As soon as…”
It is more motivating to tell a child they can do something more desirable, “as soon as” they do something you want them to do, rather than to tell them “not until.” An example is to say to the child … Continue reading
Tattling vs Telling
Most parents know to tell their children not to tattle. It is not always clear what tattling is. It can be helpful to explain that tattling is when the child reports something that doesn’t hurt them and doesn’t hurt the … Continue reading
Unconditional love
Love the child you have rather than wanting him, or her to be like a sibling, or like someone else’s child. Look for the best in your child. When your child misbehaves, be sure to be clear that you love … Continue reading
Competition vs Cooperation
Many children are naturally competitive or naturally cooperative. It is part of in-born temperament. Both characteristics are important and desirable. Be sure to teach naturally competitive children when and how to be cooperative, and naturally cooperative children when and how … Continue reading
Family Rules
1. In our family we keep people, and other living things’, bodies safe. This means no hitting, pinching, pushing; anything that would hurt the body of ourselves, or another living being. 2. In our family we we keep people’s feelings … Continue reading
“Is My Child Autistic, Gifted or Quirky?”
Olivia, at three, has memorized every dinosaur in the book which she is beginning to read, by the way. Eli dresses in a different costume every day of pre-school and will respond if you address him by whatever character he … Continue reading
The Yellow Lego Story
The Dad placed a yellow lego on top of the blue lego tower he and his son had just built, and announced it was a “searchlight.”. The pre-schooler wailed, “No, No, just blue.” What is a good parent to do? … Continue reading
When children misbehave
When children misbehave they are showing you what they don’t know how to do, and what they need to learn. Their misbehavior is not because they are “bad” or “defiant” but rather an opportunity for you to teach them what … Continue reading
Melody M. Lowman, M.A. 