Betsy Brown Braun

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

Toddlers

Hurrying is the Enemy

by on , under Behavior, Child development, Communication, Expectations, Parenting, Relationships, Toddlers, Transitions

The outing to Starbucks with our two year old grandtoddler was perfect. Not a glitch.   No screaming, no crying, no collapsing into a heap, no refusal to walk, no running into the street, no running away.   And not one single tantrum.  The joys of being a grandparent.  Admittedly, the walk which usually takes 15 minutes each way, took two hours. But it came off without a hitch. Why? I am no special grandparent.  I have no tricks up my sleeve.  (Ok. Well, maybe a few.) But what I do know is … [Read more...] about Hurrying is the Enemy

Empathy is a Two Way Street

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

Cultivating empathy is a hot topic in the parenting world.  Current research has demonstrated that children under a year not only have the capacity for empathy but actually exhibit empathy. (Regarding infants:  http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201306/empathy-appears-in-infancy-varies-age-and-gender   Regarding toddlers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX6krHsZA_w .) But parents, usually not educated to recognize and encourage this trait in their very young children, are … [Read more...] about Empathy is a Two Way Street

5 Tips for Powering Up Your Parenting in the New Year

by on , under Behavior, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships, Toddlers

As the big hand creeps its way toward midnight, most people give at least a fleeting thought to New Year resolutions.  Those usually have to do with eating or exercise or a nagging behavior ripe for modification. And we all know how long those last: Not very.  Instead, let’s talk about resolving to make some changes in your parenting--small adjustments that you can do and keep up, that will make a big difference in your life with your child. Even the best (whatever that means!) of parents,  … [Read more...] about 5 Tips for Powering Up Your Parenting in the New Year

All Kinds of Feelings: A Child’s Emotional Literacy

by on , under Behavior, Child development, Elementary School Children, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

In the video, Emotional Baby is Moved to Tears by Mom’s Singing, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/29/emotional-baby-moved-to-tears-by-moms-singing_n_4173272.html?utm_hp_ref=parents&ir=Parents?utm_hp_ref=parents&ir=Parents, we witness the power of emotion in even the youngest of babies. At only 10 months old, the baby’s deep feelings spill over in the form of tears when he hears his mother’s beautiful singing. Learning about emotions like these is a long process and a big part of … [Read more...] about All Kinds of Feelings: A Child’s Emotional Literacy

Kids in Restaurants, Part 2: Lousy Local Conditions

by on , under Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Child development, Environmental influences, Expectations, Learning, Parent modeling, Parenting, Public Behavior, Toddlers

Kids in Restaurants, Part 2: Lousy Local Conditions On Friday I lunched with a colleague at a “grown up” restaurant. The atmosphere was quiet and refined.  Seated right next to us was a family of three—mother, father, and, in-between them, their adorable 18 month old child. We wouldn’t even have  known he was there were it not for his occasional giggles. Mom and dad quietly spoke to him, played with him, included him in conversation, and redirected when things started to go south.  It was a … [Read more...] about Kids in Restaurants, Part 2: Lousy Local Conditions

Kids in Restaurants?

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

Our dinner at a local sushi restaurant was a bit earlier than we usually dine.  So I casually mentioned to my husband that we might overlap “family time” at the eatery.  But we decided that it wouldn’t be a problem; we both love kids.  Little did we realize it was the parents who would ruin our dinner out on a Friday night. This blog is not about parents who use tech devices during meals. I have previously complained about that. (http://betsybrownbraun.com/2010/10/16/join-the-family/)  Nor is … [Read more...] about Kids in Restaurants?

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