Betsy Brown Braun

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

Behavior

“It’s the Palisades”…Not!

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Public Behavior

On Friday night after another great dinner at our local pizza place with two of my grandgirls, we went for our requisite fro yo. It’s what we do on sleepovers at “BeeBee and Big D’s” house: pizza and frozen yogurt.  As we sat relishing each bite with a taste of topping, two girls came scooting by.  They looked to be 9 years old-ish. Stopping right in front of us sitting on the bench, the first girl turned and said to her friend, “How much did your most expensive jacket cost?” … [Read more...] about “It’s the Palisades”…Not!

Smooth the Start to the New School Year … for all ages

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

Just thinking about the start of school can be stressful for kids. New teachers, new classrooms, new friends, new expectations, new routines.  On top of that,  getting back into the school year swing of things-the school day routine-is not only stress producing but it can be a real challenge after the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Researchers believe that the brains of humans evolved to feel calmed by repetitive behavior, and that our daily routines and rituals help us to manage stress. … [Read more...] about Smooth the Start to the New School Year … for all ages

Summer’s Here–Let Your Child Be Bored

by on , under Behavior, Character traits, Child development, Environmental influences, Expectations, Parenting

They made a Book Store.  That was the answer to my question, “What are your kids up do these days?” ‘Wait…what?” I asked.  My client’s 12 and 9 year old kids were out of school with no plans for the week. Left to their own devices—no classes, no team practices, no playdates— they built a book store. First, they wrote the books… a lot of them, pages stapled together. Then they put the store together. Shelves were made out of their building blocks, complete with fiction and non fiction … [Read more...] about Summer’s Here–Let Your Child Be Bored

Gratitude Beyond Thanksgiving

by on , under Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Environmental influences, Holidays, Parent modeling, Parenting

Each year as Thanksgiving approaches, there is an mighty uptick in the gratitude discussions at school. Gratitude awareness fills the mommy blogsphere. And parents begin to think about the need for cultivating more gratitude in their spoiled kids…especially as the season of gimme is right around the corner. But shouldn’t gratitude be a year round attitude, part of our regular lives and our kids’ everyday school curricula? We know a whole lot more about the importance of gratitude, beyond … [Read more...] about Gratitude Beyond Thanksgiving

Talking to Your Child About the Synagogue Shooting

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

How I wish I didn’t have to write about the mass murder of 11 human beings at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.  What a burden it is to have to explain to our children something so heinous, something that I cannot explain.  I am sick to my stomach. As always, I am being asked, "Should I tell my children? How much should I tell my children? How can I make them feel safe in the world and especially when they go to religious school? How do I answer, 'But why?'  How do I explain someone … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Child About the Synagogue Shooting

My Child is a Hoarder!

by on , under Behavior, Character traits, Child development, Elementary School Children, Expectations, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships, Toddlers

"Daisy is a hoarder!" my daughter exclaimed in horror (and frustration).  If I didn't know about kids and their typical development, I might agree with her.  For Daisy, the world is filled with treasures. Whether it is a lost sequin spotted in the driveway,  a set of Halloween vampire's teeth, a singular sticker from a coach, party favor junk, or another piece of plastic cr&p from the dentist's office, it is must be saved.  Castoffs of all categories, shapes, colors, and sizes are for the … [Read more...] about My Child is a Hoarder!

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