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
Adolescents
Do You Undermine Your Discipline?
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?
Grappling with Presidential Prose
Whether you hate or love President Trump’s politics, most parents agree that his behaviors and style of communication are not very presidential. With all the different goals parents have for their kids, there is one thing most parents share: wanting our children to behave respectfully, politely, and within the bounds of propriety. We want them to live a life defined by the morals and character traits we value. To that end, we model the language, the behavior, the actions, and the values we … [Read more...] about Grappling with Presidential Prose
Talking to Your Kids About the Election
Certainly the outcome of the election gives new meaning to the words parents have told their growing children forever: “You can be the president; anyone can be president.” What an election surprise. Regardless of for whom you voted, many parents are wondering how to explain the election to their kids. Not only must parents deal with and explain their own feelings, but you need to deal with your children’s questions and expressions of their feelings, fear and safety included. A parent … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Kids About the Election
Unanticipated Lessons for our Kids from Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s latest lewd, (accidental?), hot-mike comments, his objectification of women, and his repeated out-of-control behaviors, his bullying have left us all scratching our heads mainly in disgust. How does anyone process this man? And what is a parent to do when her kids are exposed to him and his antics? The answer? Rejoice! Donald Trump exemplifies many of the lessons for our kids we have been hammering home for years. He is the gift that keeps on giving! In my parenting groups, … [Read more...] about Unanticipated Lessons for our Kids from Donald Trump
How to Parent a School Age Child
School has begun (at last!) Every parent wants to help her child get off to a good start. Every parent wants her child to have a great school experience. Every parent wants to be the best parent of a student that she can be with her child’s successful year in mind. I am going to cut right to the chase. Here’s what you, the parent, can do in order to help your child have a good school year, get the most of his school experience this year, and cultivate in him the traits that will help him … [Read more...] about How to Parent a School Age Child