Parenting Posts

Do you have a "squeaky wheel" in your family?  There is usually at least one.  You know, the relentless child who doesn't let up on you until they get what they want or the weaker of your children who has learned to "work the system."  They come at you with various arguments, they show you pictures, they "squeak" more loudly than their siblings, they have more "drama" about almost e...

Tim Gunn's Guide to Style is a winner!  This show is a wonderful way to educate our daughters (and ourselves) on fit, style and proportion.  Tim Gunn and his partner, Gretta Monahan, are digging into closets and literally guiding women to their best looks.  I'm not sure how we are supposed to learn these things but many of us don't have a clue.  The best thing about the show is...

Isn't it odd that during a time when our privacy is guarded in so many ways it is also infringed upon in others.  For example, the doctor's office is now using pagers to call the next patient so that they don't divulge the name of the person seeing the doctor.  (Personally, I refuse to handle those pagers as they travel from one sick person to another without being sanitized, yuck!) ...

As the saying goes "Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say."  Never is that more important than in parenting.  Children learn at a very young age whether your words mean anything.  They tell by your tone of voice, your body language and most importantly they learn if there are consequences.  How many times will Mommy or Daddy tell me to go to bed before they get angry?  H...

There is a very fine line in parenting children that every parent walks daily.  That line is in knowing which battles are worth fighting and which ones are safely, and probably wisely, left for another time or day.  It is very helpful to be thoughtful about which battles are most important to you and to your child's development.  Remembering that in every situation your child is lea...

With the popularity of "Dancing With The Stars" and other such shows, dancing is hot!  Learning how to dance can increase a person's self-esteem and self-confidence.  Although your teen may balk at the idea to begin with, once they start moving they may find it is something they really like or at least become comfortable with.  Dance is more than just be-bopping around the dance flo...

In today's world there are unlimited opportunities for children and teens to distinguishthemselves and to share and develop their unique talents.  If you have a child who justdoesn't fit the "norm" or is floundering, here are just a few examples to consider as you guide them through their journey:TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES which may or may not fit your childTeam Sports:  football, basketball...

College basketball season starts this weekend with exhibition games throughout the country.  Both men's and women's teams will take to the courts this weekend with their team colors flying, bands playing and fans cheering.  I'm partial to the Women's game because one of my daughters, Jenna, plays Division I basketball for CSU Fullerton.  Although CSUF is a smaller Division I school ...

Teenagers come in all shapes and sizes.  Some are gregarious and some are shy.One of our jobs as parents is to help our children develop their gifts and talents.  Sometimes we don't always know how to do that.  Here are some guidelines and suggestions that may help.Encourage balance for your children and teens.  Quiet, alone time is just as important as social time.  Help ...