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Elementary School Children

Being Neighborly

by on May.15, 2013, under Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Parenting, Public Behavior, Relationships, Safety, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

Keeping your child safe, (also the name of a seminar I offer), is every parent’s top priority. And each time the internet explodes with news of another abuse to a child, parents are shaken to the core. Fear reverberates across the county, and we ask, “How did... Read more...
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Circle the Wagons. How children learn to express empathy.

by on Apr.29, 2013, under Adolescents, Behavior, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Expectations, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

Current research on the topic of empathy in children points to likelihood that infants as young as 6 months have the ability to demonstrate empathy.  Whether or how empathy develops as the child grows is a whole different story. Here we go again, nature vs nurture. A... Read more...
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How Will Your Kids Remember You?

by on Mar.11, 2013, under Adolescents, Attachment, Character traits, Communication, Elementary School Children, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships, Sensitive Topics

I’ve just returned from a funeral. A friend’s husband, father of five, died way before his time was up.   And it was a five Kleenex affair. My mirror neurons, the ones that make you match the emotions of others, were hard at work. (You know when someone yawns,... Read more...
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When A Pet Dies. Part 2 – for children 7 years and older

by on Feb.03, 2013, under Adolescents, Behavior, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships, Sensitive Topics, Transitions

“So, how do you handle the death of a pet when your child is older than 7 years?” asked a client after reading my previous blog, When a Pet Dies.  Good question. As children grow and mature, they begin to understand death differently. Children older than 7 years... Read more...
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The Trouble With “Whyyyyyyyyyyy?”

by on Jan.07, 2013, under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Toddlers

You tell your child it’s time for bed. Instead of the pitter patter of feet running up the stairs, you get “Whyyyyyyy?”  All parents have heard it.  The funny thing is, you know your child isn’t really looking for an answer.  “Well, dear, your body needs sleep... Read more...
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Time Release Gifts

by on Dec.02, 2012, under Adolescents, Child development, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Expectations, Holidays, Parenting, Relationships, Toddlers

Chanukah is around the corner, and there are just three weeks until Christmas. The world is kicking into high gear for the holidays. It’s inescapable. The media, advertisers, merchants are targeting our children and us, pointing us towards their ultimate goal:  buy buy buy. It’s no wonder... Read more...
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Throw Away Your Parenting Books

by on Oct.15, 2012, under Behavior, Child development, Elementary School Children, Learning, Parenting, Toddlers

“I’m almost finished reading ,” the first-time mom confessed, “and I have to tell you, it’s really stressing me out!” “Well, don’t read it! ” I urged. “Just put it away.” (I think I actually suggested that she throw it away.) That’s kind of an odd recommendation from a... Read more...
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Why You Should Watch the Olympics with Your Kids: Olympic Lessons

by on Jul.25, 2012, under Adolescents, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Expectations, Learning, Parenting

Olympic fever is starting to rise, and here is the good news:  There are enough benefits to watching the Olympics as a family that you can throw your standard TV rules out the window.  Beyond sheer entertainment, there’s much to be learned by watching the games on... Read more...
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