Betsy Brown Braun

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

Fathering

Fathering is Interactive

by on , under Adolescents, Attachment, Communication, Environmental influences, Expectations, Learning, Parenting, Relationships

On a recent Saturday morning, my husband and I found ourselves at the local park, right in the middle of Little League play offs. Déjà vu!  It was thrilling to relive our now grown kids’ baseball days in the park—cheers echoing across the field, coaches calling out plays, dust from the infield coating our faces, the ecstasy of the hit, the agony of the dropped fly ball. The commissioner of Little League, 25 years in the role, inhaled the moment with us. It’s changed in so many ways, he then … [Read more...] about Fathering is Interactive

Right in Your Own Yard– A Blog for Father’s Day

by on , under Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships

The window at my kitchen sink gives me a bird’s eye view of the happenings on my street. Recently, I witnessed a scene fit for a Norman Rockwell painting.  Five year old Owen was side by side with the gardener, mowing the front lawn. Two guys pushing the mower. And it wasn’t just for a minute or two, as together they mowed the entire front grass field.  My heart swelled. Not only did this guy have to be the world’s greatest gardener, but little Owen was one hard working and very happy boy. What … [Read more...] about Right in Your Own Yard– A Blog for Father’s Day

Join the Family

by on , under Parent modeling, Parenting, Public Behavior

The “perfect” family—mom, dad, and two girls probably ages 6 and 9—sat across from my husband and me as we dined at a local restaurant to launch our weekend As hard as I try, when I am out in the world I cannot help but notice families. It is my passion and my life’s work, and I am just selectively perceptive to parents and kids wherever I go. Knowing them doesn’t matter, (but it is the icing on the cake.) The girls were adorable. The older one, on the quiet side, seemed calm, centered, … [Read more...] about Join the Family

A Father-Son Team

by on , under Holidays, Parent modeling, Parenting

I watched Derek and his son washing my car, as I stood at the sink, molding patties for our bar-b-que that night. They were having an animated discussion about something, lots of back and forth over the top of my car. The son is really tall at 15, just like his dad. Derek does all kinds of work on cars, and on the weekends he and his son keep my car and those of lots of my neighbors in tip-top shape. He’s a really interesting guy. We talk basketball, healthcare reform, the state of LA city … [Read more...] about A Father-Son Team