Can this really be happening? Again? Every parent I know is feeling the same thing. The anxiety we already feel about our children’s safety when they are away from us is just getting worse and worse. The horror of the school shooting in Uvalde is, simply put, overwhelming. Too many times I have written blogs about how to talk with your child about shootings, school shootings in particular. This difference for me this time is the extent of my anger, my fury, my disgust, and my frustration. … [Read more...] about Oh No! Another Shooting to Talk to Kids About
Sensitive Topics
Your Children and the War in Ukraine
When something “big” happens—a current or natural event-- I always write a blog, sharing with parents how to talk to their children about it. My website is filled with blog responses from over the last twenty years. I came very close to not writing a blog about the war in Ukraine, feeling like I have said it all. But I haven’t. My job is to help you help your children. This war in Ukraine is not going away quickly, as I prayed it would. The whole world is reacting. Children, elementary … [Read more...] about Your Children and the War in Ukraine
Children and Mistakes
Recently, I heard from a parent about her child who over reacts to his mistakes and accidents. The child is highly sensitive about doing something the “right way” or is worried about doing something wrong. Mistakes are a part of life and everyone makes them. Parents have a hand in helping their kids to get comfortable with this reality. What a critical lesson this is. The manner and degree to which a child processes and reacts to his mistakes, accidents, and missteps sometimes can be seen … [Read more...] about Children and Mistakes
TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE RIOTS, RACISM, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT (in light of George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis.)
Today it feels like our kids’ VIRTUAL SCHOOL is a good thing: Classrooms and school playgrounds are not exposing our young children to the shocking riots that erupted across the country in response to the horrific killing of George Floyd. But our elementary school age children and older will likely hear about it. And we must address what is going on. I certainly don’t have “the answer.” I do know that there are many complicated elements to consider, try to explain, and discuss. Too many … [Read more...] about TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE RIOTS, RACISM, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT (in light of George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis.)
Being Coronavirus Cautious in a Bi-Nuclear Family
All families are trying their best to protect each member during these tricky times caused by the spread of COVID 19. Parents in the same home can control their own kids’ exposure—with whom their children come in contact and who enters their homes on a daily basis. They can even control their family’s newly acquired habits of constant hand washing, surface cleaning, hand sanitizing, and cough/sneeze covering. This protection is tedious, but it can be done when you remain pretty much … [Read more...] about Being Coronavirus Cautious in a Bi-Nuclear Family
Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
I have been reluctant to write a piece about the Coronavirus for two reasons: 1) I don’t want to fuel the sense of worry or even panic that seems to be building, and 2) there are many articles on the same topic circulating in cyberspace. But after I received 5 different emails today asking the question “How do I talk to my kids about the virus?” I changed my mind. Talk of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere. People are wearing face masks which is a new sight to many kids. … [Read more...] about Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus