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
Environmental influences
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
My Top 15 Parenting Tips in Recognition of 15 years of Parenting Pathways, Inc.
I have been working with families—teaching children, directing schools, and consulting with parents—for 45 years. Yikes! Accompanying parents on their parenting pathways became my life’s work. As the years have crept by and I have worked with hundreds of families, a core set of beliefs has become clear to me. In recognition of Parenting Pathways, Inc. 15 year anniversary this month, I offer 15 tips about parenting that will make a difference in your children’s and your lives now. More … [Read more...] about My Top 15 Parenting Tips in Recognition of 15 years of Parenting Pathways, Inc.
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
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)