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
Character traits
My Child is a Hoarder!
"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!
Whose Decision is it?
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?
Talking to Kids about Racism, Law Enforcement, and Violence (in light of the Dallas Shootings)
How I wish I weren’t writing this particular blog…again. How I wish you didn’t need this blog…again. How I wish I actually had an explanation for this madness. I don’t. There is no explanation. So how in the world do we explain it to our children? Too many times in the past I have posted scripts and caveats for talking with kids about the tragic events that keep happening far away and too close to home. There are 23 blogs on the topic under the category SAFETY on my website. All of the … [Read more...] about Talking to Kids about Racism, Law Enforcement, and Violence (in light of the Dallas Shootings)
Do As I Do, Not As I Say!
“I’m going to punish you” admonished the 4 year old “mommy” to her 4 year old “daughter,” both children at play in the “Housekeeping Center” of their preschool classroom. That is my favorite place to observe kids at work, reenacting scenes from their lives. “Playing” out their real life experiences is not only a way that children process and make sense of their lives, but it is also an example of how children mimic their parents’ behavior. Regardless of age, your children are watching you, … [Read more...] about Do As I Do, Not As I Say!
Politicians Behaving Badly: Talking to Kids About the Election
Kids of all ages are getting a whiff of election politics at its worst. It’s unavoidable. I'll bet you think I am going to say, “Shelter them! Turn off the radio, TV, computer.” Not this time. This 2016 presidential election (which seems interminable) is an opportunity. It is filled with important lessons for our children, elementary school age on up. Remember, children learn a great deal by making mistakes and by seeing the mistakes of others. It is what I call “ambient learning.” So, … [Read more...] about Politicians Behaving Badly: Talking to Kids About the Election