People don’t talk about having an angry child (I mean a child who is very angry, very often.) At least I don't see it too often. In this piece, which I originally published in 2012, I'm sharing my experience as best I can, because it has been one of the most isolating experiences in parenting for [...]Continue Reading
dealing with anger
Relationship Repair: Six Ways to Rebuild Connection with Kids and Teens
Stress can take a serious toll on our relationships. We can get into a painful cycle of rupture and reaction that feels impossible to get out of. Is repair even possible at this point? YES. Best selling author Rachel Macy Stafford tells us how. This post contains affiliate links and I may be [...]Continue Reading
3 Simple but Not Easy Keys to Less Conflict With Your Strong Willed Child
As a mom to a strong willed child I really WANT these to be 3 simple and easy keys to less conflict, but that would be dishonest. If you've parented a challenging child for any length of time, you've tried every "easy" trick out there to reduce conflict in your family. Sometimes we find things that [...]Continue Reading
‘Get the Mad Out’ Cookie Baking Activity – Emotional Learning for Preschoolers
In honor of National Cookie Day on December 4, PBS KIDS is excited to share an educational and delicious cookie recipe that encourages children to communicate how they’re feeling. Talking through a range of emotions like happy, mad and sad with children through fun activities can help them develop [...]Continue Reading
How to Deal With an Aggressive Toddler – 3 steps that promote healthy emotional growth
There are few behaviors that bring up so much emotion and potential confusion as aggression in our kids. We want to keep our cool, but often inside, alarms bells are ringing, flinging us into a less than helpful emotional state ourselves. Especially when your dealing with aggression in a toddler, [...]Continue Reading
6 Super Games that Teach Social Skills (for 6-12 year olds)
When it comes to teaching my kids about social skills and graces, I know I could do with a little help! It can seem like a daunting task, but remember what the wise and famous Mary Poppins said: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a [...]Continue Reading