Betsy Brown Braun

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

Sensitive Topics

Children and Mistakes

by on , under Behavior, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Expectations, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

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.)

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

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

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

  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

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

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

Kobe Bryant’s Death: Talking to Kids About Premature Death

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

Around the age of 4 years, most children begin to ask about death.  It surfaces in their play, they say things like, “I’m gonna kill you,” they ask if you are going to die, among other questions and references. Unless they have experienced death at a younger age, this curiosity and sometime seeming obsessiveness are age appropriate and typical. It is a part of growing up. The answers to these questions are hard for all parents. No one wants to create fear or pain for her/his child. But … [Read more...] about Kobe Bryant’s Death: Talking to Kids About Premature Death

“Is Santa Real, Mommy?”

by on , under Communication, Holidays, Learning, Parenting, Sensitive Topics

One of the signs (sometimes laced with a bit of sadness) that your child is growing up is when the inevitable question comes, Is Santa real? While it seems so simple, it is one that puts many a parent into a tail spin.  What should I say? Should I tell him the truth? Should I lie? Won’t he be so disappointed?  What if he accuses me of having lied to him when he finds out the truth?  Let me put your mind at ease. You have not been lying to your child if you have allowed Santa … [Read more...] about “Is Santa Real, Mommy?”

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