Betsy Brown Braun

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

Brat-Proofing

Loose Parts

by on , under Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Child development, Environmental influences, Expectations, Learning, Parenting

For years I have extolled the value of empty cardboard boxes—the ones in which your big appliances arrive—in the lives of children. You see cardboard box to be recycled; your child sees secret cave, fire station, beauty parlor, club house. But Caine Monroy has broadened even my wildest dreams. He built Caine’s Arcade (http://vimeo.com/40000072). Caine’s dad George claims that he is no special parent. He says he simply knew his son, didn’t force him to do what he didn’t want, and allowed him … [Read more...] about Loose Parts

Tantrums: Doing What Comes Naturally.

by on , under Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Child development, Discipline, Environmental influences, Expectations, Parenting, Public Behavior, Toddlers

There’s nothing like a toddler’s tantrum or an older child’s melt down to bring a parent to her knees.  It’s one of those behaviors that makes you feel inadequate and helpless, to say nothing of incompetent. Put that tantrum in a public place—a restaurant, the grocery store, the school lobby—and you can add embarrassment, fear, and frustration to your own list of feelings.  The ante is upped. Believe it or not, tantrums are typical of children all over the world, and they look pretty much … [Read more...] about Tantrums: Doing What Comes Naturally.

Whose Birthday Party Is It?

by on , under Brat-Proofing, Child development, Expectations, Holidays, Parenting

I might hold the record for having given the most single birthday parties. Each of my kids (triplets) had his/her own party from age two years old on up. It’s not that I am a glutton for punishment; it’s that there’s not much that is all yours besides your name and your birthday. In the case of triplets, the need is magnified.  So I bought into the whole birthday party phenomenon.  The majority of my kids’ parties happened in our yard because we had the space.  They ran the gamut: Olympics … [Read more...] about Whose Birthday Party Is It?

Be the Person You Want Your Child to Be

by on , under Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Parent modeling, Parenting

(Posted for the second time...that;s how important this one is!) “You will not believe this story,” began the email from a client who had just returned from family services for the Jewish New Year.  She described the mother and three children sitting next to her own family. “She was knitting!”  (Yes, you read it correctly, knitting.)  “And when she was done knitting, she pulled out her Blackberry and began texting.”  I queried as to her guess of the ages of the children. Elementary and middle … [Read more...] about Be the Person You Want Your Child to Be

Want Some Cheese With That Whine?

by on , under Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Communication, Parenting, Toddlers

How amazing is it that all kids seem to whine at some time or other? Seriously, how is it that they all use the same tone? Is that capacity just part of the factory-equipped model of child?  Truth be told, it kind of is…the capacity, that is. Children whine at different ages for different reasons. No one can say exactly when whining will start, but it can even be as young as 18 months.  It is interesting that early talkers seem also to be early whiners.  The toddler whiner often feels … [Read more...] about Want Some Cheese With That Whine?

In Celebration of Parenting Pathways®, Inc’s 10 Year Anniversary: 10 Pieces of Parenting Advice

by on , under Brat-Proofing, Parenting

Ten years ago this month I founded Parenting Pathways®. (This is my business through which I offer parents of children, toddlers through teens, a variety of services including private consultations, monthly parenting groups, and individual topical seminars.)  Who knew I would reinvent myself? Who knew how much I would learn? Who knew how many times in a week I’d address the complaint, My kid doesn’t listen to me!  I took a risk and made something from nothing. Voila!  Parenting … [Read more...] about In Celebration of Parenting Pathways®, Inc’s 10 Year Anniversary: 10 Pieces of Parenting Advice

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