Sadly and not surprisingly, I have received a rash of emails from parents wondering how to explain to their children the heinous, violent terrorism that happened in Paris. These were parents of children of all ages. How I wish one could actually explain something that is so monstrous and actually unthinkable. None of us can comprehend what went on; we are stick to our stomachs. As little as we understand, how can we expect a child to get it? For all these years your child has been taught to … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Child About the Paris Attacks
Safety
Being Neighborly
Keeping your child safe, (also the name of a seminar I offer), is every parent’s top priority. And each time the internet explodes with news of another abuse to a child, parents are shaken to the core. Fear reverberates across the county, and we ask, “How did that happen?” and “What could have been done to prevent such a nightmare?” Such is the case with the heart-stopping news of Amanda Berry’s, Gina de Jesus’ and Michelle Knight’s abduction and final escape from the living hell of Ariel … [Read more...] about Being Neighborly
Keeping Your Child Safe
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
Hurry Up and Slow Down!
Last Sunday morning I stood on the corner of Sepulveda and Skirball Drive. Ten families with children of all ages in tow and I stood at the red light, eager to get to Milk and Bookies. (The glory of that charity event held this year at the Skirball is for another blog.) There were no cars anywhere in sight. Not a one as far as the eye could see. Yet everyone stood there, waiting for the light to change. Good! I have been trying to process Julia Siegler’s tragic death all week long. Julia, … [Read more...] about Hurry Up and Slow Down!