Betsy Brown Braun

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

Child development

Do You Love Your Child Enough?

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Expectations, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships

Seems like a ridiculous question, I know. But since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, it feels fitting. One of the lessons our children will learn as they mature is that are lots of different kinds of love… the love for chocolate; the love for your favorite song; the love for your most comfy jeans; the love that grown up partners feel for one another; the love you have for your best pal; …And the deep, enduring love that a parent feels for her … [Read more...] about Do You Love Your Child Enough?

What’s Wrong with “I’m Sorry?”

by on , under Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Expectations, Parent modeling, Parenting, Peers, Relationships

Years ago, I walked into the 4 year olds’ nursery school classroom and watched Mimi, a fabulous, feisty, third born child, collect all the playdough from the other three children at the table. The three were shocked; one protested loudly. Mimi looked up at me and said, “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!”   “Mimi,” I said, “Sorry isn’t enough.” Every time I hear a parent insist that her child apologize to another, I cringe, and I think about Mimi. Sorry is not enough. Teaching a child to say I’m sorry … [Read more...] about What’s Wrong with “I’m Sorry?”

Helping to Smooth the Transition Back-to-School

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Parenting, Relationships, School, Transitions

It’s mid-August… that means summer vacation is creeping to an end, depending upon your child’s first day of school. For some it starts as soon as next week. Summer time and the livin’ was easy. Going, going, gone. For some students the thought of going back to school is exciting.  They can hardly wait to start. For others, just the thought of school and summer ending feels kind of sad.  Different kids, different feelings. On top of that, different age kids consider school-starting … [Read more...] about Helping to Smooth the Transition Back-to-School

The Lessons of the Baseball Wildcard Playoffs

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Learning, Parenting

The camera slowly panned the faces of the St. Louis Cardinals, just moments after the Dodgers squashed their dream of being the baseball champions going to the Playoffs.  Their faces reflected shock, disbelief, sadness, deep disappointment… just all of it.  Back and forth, from the elated winning Dodger players to the dejected losing Cardinals, we saw "big feelings" on faces. What a great lesson this is going to be for so many kids, I thought, especially for those who are just plain old sore … [Read more...] about The Lessons of the Baseball Wildcard Playoffs

Re-Entry: Land the Helicopter!

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Expectations, Parent modeling, Transitions

Finally, our kids are emerging from a hibernation not of their choosing. Variations of in-person school are happening; sports teams are practicing; playdates with friends outside their pod have begun; kids are roaming in the village; parks are open.  Finally, our kids get to stretch their wings…and fly solo. For some, school re-entry has been a challenge. Worries about friends, socializing, academic competence, and even separation surfaced.  But for many, re-entry was a slam dunk.  After … [Read more...] about Re-Entry: Land the Helicopter!

Smoothing the Re Entry into School

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Child development, Communication, Expectations, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting, School, Separation, Toddlers, Transitions

Some children are lucky enough to have already gone back to in-person school.  But, sadly, many have not.  Today the internet was alive with stories of more public schools soon being able to go back to in-person education. Hallelujah! While we would all love our children to run and jump headfirst into school, it may not be so easy for some. For each child and family it will be different.  Age is not necessarily the determining factor. The re entry transition has more to do with your child’s … [Read more...] about Smoothing the Re Entry into School

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