Betsy Brown Braun

Child Development and Behavior Specialist. Parent Educator. Best Selling Author

Blog

Whose Decision is it?

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Character traits, Child development, Elementary School Children, Expectations, Parenting

Self-Reliance is a hot topic in the world of parenting these days.  My Self-Reliance seminars fill right up, standing room only.  Actually cultivating self-reliance and its myriad component parts is not so easy.  In fact, I believe it is harder for parents than it is for children. And I think it’s parents who undermine a child’s development of self-reliance in so many ways. High on the How-To list is allowing kids to make their own decisions. The ability to make decisions for yourself is a … [Read more...] about Whose Decision is it?

Tips for Dealing with Scary Current Events with Children

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting, Safety, Sensitive Topics

Whether it is the horror of a violent event, an act of terrorism, or a natural disaster, the news of  such things can have powerful impact on  children of all ages.  It can cause tremendous fear and anxiety, or it can just raise some questions. Each child will react differently. But no one goes totally unaffected. In dealing with your child, here are some tips that will help you to help your child process what has happened. First of all, take care of your own feelings. Children take … [Read more...] about Tips for Dealing with Scary Current Events with Children

Extinguishing Fire Worries

by on , under Communication, Elementary School Children, Parenting, Safety, School, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

Not only is the prospect of a house burning down terrifying to a child (and everyone!), but so are many of the accompanying variables disruptive and disconcerting. The fires in the Los Angeles area have driven home this reality.  Fires are destroying homes; the wind is the enemy; the air is unbreathable everywhere; the road closures make it impossible to go anywhere; and schools are unexpectedly closed.  What’s a parent to do? Manage your own feelings. Of course parents are not only terrified … [Read more...] about Extinguishing Fire Worries

Watch Your Words: A lessons for kids

by on , under Behavior, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Parent modeling, Parenting

My client was mortified. She had just received a call from the teacher saying that her 8-year-old son called his good friend a “butt hole” while on the playground. Even though the teacher had only overheard the comment, the parent had to be told how inappropriate her son had been. Days later a different client wrote to share that her 5-year-old son’s teacher called with similar news. When it was his turn to introduce himself to a new teacher, her son stated his name and added, “and I have a … [Read more...] about Watch Your Words: A lessons for kids

Good Medicine in Difficult Times

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Safety, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

Each day I awaken wary of the new bad news that day will bring. I know I am not the only one who feels like we are living in apocalyptic times. Fires are ravaging California; Harvey, Irma and Maria made landfall and decimated parts of Texas, Florida and much of Puerto Rico; then came the earthquake in Mexico; the Las Vegas shooting was horrifying; the threat of a confrontation with North Korea is ever present; the unpredictability of the leadership of our nation unnerves (and disgusts) me to my … [Read more...] about Good Medicine in Difficult Times

Do You Undermine Your Discipline?

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Communication, Elementary School Children, Expectations, Parenting

For forever Lisa has been cutting my hair every 4 weeks. I have watched her two kids grow up, hearing her many tales and dishing out my advice. My hair looks great, and Lisa is a terrific parent. The proof is in the pudding. Today I got my haircut, and here is Lisa's story.   Lisa’s teenage daughter was granted her permission to host a friends’ party at their house, one that would include her boyfriend and his family, too. Mom consented but only with this deal:  Lisa does the food and her … [Read more...] about Do You Undermine Your Discipline?

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