Nosebleeds

Although they can be scary, nosebleeds are rarely cause for alarm. Common in kids ages 3 to 10 years, nosebleeds often stop on their own and can be treated safely at home.

Nurturing Your Child’s Creative Mind

Ever notice how kids often have more fun playing with an empty box than with what was inside of it? That’s their imagination at work, and as parents, we should not underestimate how vital it is to nurture this creative spirit.

Nurturing Your Child’s Independence

There’s a saying that the two gifts we give our children are roots and wings — a sense of connectedness to family, culture, and community and the confidence to move beyond what they know so they become their own person. I’ve seen this happen in my own life. The baby that my husband and I once nicknamed the “barnacle” (because of her desire to be held at all times) moved across the country to start college this past fall. As parents, we’re so busy with daily routines and responsibilities it can be easy to forget that part of our job is supporting this essential growth — with us and beyond us.

On Parenting: It's OK to Need a Break

Social media is abound with messages to parents that their love and attention is all their kids need during this stressful time. These messages are no doubt intended to be empowering.

On Parenting: It's OK to Need a Break

Social media is abound with messages to parents that their love and attention is all their kids need during this stressful time. These messages are no doubt intended to be empowering.

Parenting during COVID - 19 - Six tips to keep children happy and healthy.

Parenting in the 21st Century: Recognizing the Signs of Cyber-Bullying

A generation ago, bullying seemed to occur primarily on the playground, but in the 21st century, this intimidating and unacceptable behavior is as likely to come through a digital device as on the swing set. Cyber-bullying may take place in the online world, but it is no less damaging than its real-world equivalent. In fact, cyber-bullying often extends into the everyday lives of children, and it’s critical for 21st-century parents to be on the lookout for the early warning signs.

Positive Parenting Solutions

...Start with 10 tips for better behavior

Sometimes, when tasks and schedules get overwhelming, it’s helpful to make a to-do list to make things feel more manageable and focused. If your children’s behavior problems have you feeling overwhelmed and not knowing what to do first, start with these 10 tips for better behavior.

Positive Ways to Talk and Listen

As parents we spend so much of our time talking to our kids  and then wonder why they don't seem to hear us. In heated moments, we find ourselves stuck in power struggles, but can't figure out what to say to stop the fighting. Sometimes we just don't know how to answer a tough question.

Preparing Your Child for Visits to the Doctor

When they know they're "going to the doctor," many kids worry a bit about the visit. Whether they're going to see their primary care doctor or a specialist for a routine exam, illness, or special problem, kids are likely to have fears, and some may even feel guilty.

Some fears and guilty feelings surface easily, so that kids can talk about them. Others are kept secret and remain unspoken. Here's how to help your child express these fears and overcome them.

Pressing Pause: How Mindfulness Helps Kids

When it comes to parenting, some mornings are easier than others.

Raising a Can-Do Kid

How to encourage your child's independence, from birth on up

Raising a Courageous Eight Year Old

Courage involves making good choices in the face of fear or obstacles. It’s another term for bravery. Remember: Bravery doesn’t mean fearlessness. It means we do not let fear hold us back from exploring new opportunities, developing our skills, and doing what is right. For an eight-year-old, courage might look like reaching out to a peer who needs help, sticking with a challenging academic problem, or performing on stage for the first time.

Raising a Courageous Five-Year-Old

Courage involves making good choices in the face of fear or obstacles. It’s another term for bravery. Remember: Bravery doesn’t mean fearlessness. It means we do not let fear hold us back from exploring new opportunities, developing our skills, and doing what is right. For a five-year-old, courage might look like starting a new school, trying a new activity that stretches them, and learning new skills that take effort.

Raising a Courageous Seven Year Old

Courage involves making good choices in the face of fear or obstacles. It’s another term for bravery. Remember: Bravery doesn’t mean fearlessness. It means we do not let fear hold us back from exploring new opportunities, developing our skills, and doing what is right. For a seven-year-old, courage might look like reaching out to a peer who needs help, presenting in front of other people, or trying a new activity that stretches them.

Raising a Courageous Two Year Old

Courage involves making good choices in the face of fear or obstacles. It's another term for bravery. Remember: Bravery doesn't mean fearlessness. It means we do not let fear hold us back from exploring new opportunities, developing our skills, and doing what is right. For a two-year-old, courage might look like trying a new food, saying goodbye to Mom or Dad when a babysitter comes or trying a new activity.

Raising Grateful Kids: Why Giving Thanks Is Good for the Soul

Gratitude is good for you — and for your kids.

Raising Includers: 5 Tips to Help Your Kids Be Kind and Compassionate

Observing a group of mixed-age early elementary school students at play during recess, I quickly noted a pattern of behavior. The oldest kids took charge with confidence, telling the others what to play and where to line up to form teams. Captains rotated between the same four kids and the same two kids were chosen last each time. The other kids didn’t question this; they followed the script.

Reading: Helping Your Two Year Old Become a Reader

Young children are all "pre-readers" who pick up clues about reading from their environment. This is great news for parents — you already have everything you need to help your child succeed. Two-year-olds have exploding vocabularies and are eager to explore their world with you. Every time you read to and talk with your two-year-old, you build their early literacy skills. As children's author Emilie Buchwald wrote, "Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

Resilience Try, Try Again: Helping Your Four Year Old Develop Grit

Grit involves sticking with something until you succeed. It’s another word for perseverance or resilience, and it gives us the strength to try, try, try again. Grit supports a “growth mindset” — a belief that our intelligence and skills can grow with effort. Kids with a growth mindset thrive on challenges and view failure as part of the learning process. At age four, grit might look like working on increasingly complex block structures, crafts, or puzzles; learning their letters and numbers, and remembering to use their words and strategies when they feel frustrated.