Betsy Brown Braun

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

Public Behavior

“It’s the Palisades”…Not!

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

On Friday night after another great dinner at our local pizza place with two of my grandgirls, we went for our requisite fro yo. It’s what we do on sleepovers at “BeeBee and Big D’s” house: pizza and frozen yogurt.  As we sat relishing each bite with a taste of topping, two girls came scooting by.  They looked to be 9 years old-ish. Stopping right in front of us sitting on the bench, the first girl turned and said to her friend, “How much did your most expensive jacket cost?” … [Read more...] about “It’s the Palisades”…Not!

To Post or Not to Post

by on , under Adolescents, Communication, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Public Behavior

Every time there is a school holiday, social media is plastered with photos of families and kids engaged in all sorts of vacation fun.    Then there are those other pictures, the ones that reflect something more than family fun.  This year, in particular, there was a peppering of photos that made me stop and ask, Why did [parent] post that photo? Obviously, a parent posts photos of his child, thinking it will be “liked.” My friends will love this one! No one intentionally … [Read more...] about To Post or Not to Post

Talking to Kids about Racism, Law Enforcement, and Violence (in light of the Dallas Shootings)

by on , under Behavior, Character traits, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting, Public Behavior, Safety, Sensitive Topics

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)

Politicians Behaving Badly: Talking to Kids About the Election

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Character traits, Communication, Elementary School Children, Learning, Parenting, Public Behavior

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

What is the Right Age to….

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Child development, Communication, Environmental influences, Expectations, Parent modeling, Parenting, Peers, Public Behavior

Knowing when is the “right age” to give permissions and allow age related activities challenges all parents, especially with that first born child. After all, it is often the parent’s first experience not only with a child of that age, but certainly with YOUR child of that age. In addition, it may not be something with which the parent hasn't had any experience, and she is traveling blindly. As is the case with most of parenting, there is not one clear cut answer to any question; there is not … [Read more...] about What is the Right Age to….

Putting the Happy Back in Birthday

by on , under Brat-Proofing, Holidays, Parenting, Public Behavior, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

"Amanda is 2!" read the banner draped over the entrance to our neighborhood park.  And that was just the beginning.  A cooking area complete with printed aprons (“Amanda’s  2nd Birthday”) and chef's hats for each child, a craft area with three different creation stations, a pony ride with three steeds awaiting , a bounce house, a child's snack area, and an adult area replete with wine choices and gourmet treats served by men in black. Really? This was not a birthday party; this was a birthday … [Read more...] about Putting the Happy Back in Birthday

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