Betsy Brown Braun

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

Sensitive Topics

Children Should Be Seen and HEARD

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

The horror at Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles has my blood boiling, to say nothing of my stomach turning in disgust. The story is still unfolding, layers added every day.  (A 30 year veteran third grade teacher, uncovered by a photo lab technician who alerted police to photos of children blindfolded and/or gagged, some with cockroaches on their faces, being fed a white milky substance found to be the teachers’ semen, was arrested after a year’s investigation.) Each aspect of this … [Read more...] about Children Should Be Seen and HEARD

“Mommy, What is 9/11?”

by on , under Communication, Parenting, Safety, Sensitive Topics

As the ten year anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the media is heating up with programs and references to that tragedy. Ten years ago already. Wow!  As was the case when Kennedy was shot, many can easily answer the question, “What were you doing when you heard the news of 9/11?” That’s how big it was in our lives.  To children fifteen years and younger, 9/11 is another event in American history to be learned. But learning about it from history books is quite a different story from seeing graphic … [Read more...] about “Mommy, What is 9/11?”

Little Boys and Nail Polish

by on , under Behavior, Child development, Parenting, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

On my son Lucas’ second birthday, he wanted to wear barrettes in his hair just like his sister Jessie wore. I am reminded of this episode daily as I read the headlines about the trial of Brandon McInerney, the teen who shot Larry King, the boy who wore a dress and heels to school. (As an aside, the defense claims that the shooting resulted from Larry having made passes at Brandon, the shooter, not from his cross dressing. We will never really know what went on. But the trial, per se, is not … [Read more...] about Little Boys and Nail Polish

Keeping Your Child Safe

by on , under Communication, Parenting, Safety, Sensitive Topics

Every time I offer my seminar, Keeping Your Child Safe, I am reminded that this is the number one job of every parent on this planet. I know that all parents try to do so, but what a daunting task this really is.  Look around and you can see that dangers lurk everywhere. Your job is just never done; it’s 24/7…or is it? There was an article in the paper last week about a family of five piano virtuosos, siblings who perform together as the Five Browns.  It was a fairytale story about these … [Read more...] about Keeping Your Child Safe

Revisiting 9/11: Talking to Children About Terrorism

by on , under Communication, Parenting, Safety, Sensitive Topics

Following the news of Bin Laden’s death, I received a rash of calls from parents wondering how to explain 9/11 to their elementary school age children.  Most of these children were a mere twinkle in their parents’ eyes on September 11, 2001.  Referencing that horrible event was part of many parents’ and teachers’ explanations of the reason for needing to rid the world of Osama Bin Laden.  Little did they realize how difficult – indescribable, scary, anxiety provoking,—the explanation would … [Read more...] about Revisiting 9/11: Talking to Children About Terrorism

Talking to Your Kids About the Disaster in Japan

by on , under Communication, Safety, Sensitive Topics

     As we all try to grasp the horror of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, you might be confronted by questions from your child.  Children of different ages will require different responses from you.  For all children, especially those six years and younger, I urge you to refer to the Chapter 11 in my book, Just Tell Me What To Say, which addresses how we answer young children’s questions about natural disasters.  For older children, see below.      The single most important message for … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Kids About the Disaster in Japan

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