Betsy Brown Braun

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

Parent modeling

Before It’s Too Late

by on , under Adolescents, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships, Teens, Toddlers

The end of life of a very dear friend of mine for 54 years is on the horizon. Needless to say, it breaks my heart.  I have been spending as much time with her as I can.  Last week I sat down and wrote her a long, detailed, and descriptive letter. It was not to say goodbye; it was to say how much she means to me today and every day over the past 54 years.  In fact, it was everything I would say about her at a Memorial. But I wanted her to hear and have it now. Writing that letter reminded me … [Read more...] about Before It’s Too Late

Talking to Children About the Election

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Public Behavior

I awakened today to more than a few emails pleading,  Help! How do I explain the election results to my kids? This processing of the election is not meant just for those who are unhappy with the outcome. It is for both those who are deeply disappointed and those who are ecstatic. There is just no way that yesterday’s election went unnoticed by any child who lives in a family who votes.  Strong feelings have run hot and heavy in homes across America for many months.  Your kids have heard … [Read more...] about Talking to Children About the Election

Turn ON the TV…Lessons of the Olympics

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

Turn OFF the television and spend real time with your children! How many times have I preached this advice to parents?  Today I am doing an about face.   It’s time to turn ON the television … to watch the Olympics. Parents frequently come to me with complaints about their child… who has to be first or best who can’t cope with failure who doesn’t stick to an interest when he isn’t immediately successful who won’t try something new for fear of not being good who gives up … [Read more...] about Turn ON the TV…Lessons of the Olympics

Part II of Kids Don’t Understand Money: TEACHING ABOUT MONEY

by on , under Adolescents, Brat-Proofing, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Expectations, Parent modeling, Parenting, Sensitive Topics

In Part I of Kids Don't Understand Money I shared a story of a parent whose child had not previously seen or paid attention to paying with cash. (Really!) I addressed the reality that children today don’t know about our legal tender:  coins and bills.  It’s shocking to think about. And here is the rest of that story:  The 7-year-old, upon seeing his dad use green money, asked incredulously, “Do you have more of that?” How do kids learn about money?  Where does it comes from? How do we get it? … [Read more...] about Part II of Kids Don’t Understand Money: TEACHING ABOUT MONEY

What DO I Say about the War in Israel

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

“My child just asked me,” a mother wrote, “ ‘Why do people hate the Jews?’ ” Another parent wrote, “I can explain the cause of the war; I can retell history. I cannot explain these atrocities against the Jewish state of Israel. Help me.” A third came this morning. “Thank you for your blog about the War in Israel. It wasn’t enough.” I spent the day today thinking, researching, pondering, digging for answers, talking to colleagues.  I even called Rabbi Steve Leder. Rabbis are teachers, … [Read more...] about What DO I Say about the War in Israel

Talking to Your Children About the War in Israel

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

I absolutely hate that I have to write this blog. There is a war in Israel, and this is the reality of the world in which we must raise our children. But my job is to help and support parents and children. And so I write...again. Wasn’t it only yesterday that I wrote about talking to your children about the War in Ukraine? Having to explain an act of terror or violence or trauma to a child of any age is just plain daunting.   As much as we try to shelter them, our children get exposed … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Children About the War in Israel

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