No Wimpy Parenting, Part III
Sometimes there’s not enough of something, like discipline or relationship-building, as discussed in the previous entries on wimpy parenting. But here’s a case where there’s too much of something in raising our children. The whole notion of “express yourself and share your feelings” has gotten out of hand. Where is the line between allowing kids to express themselves and teaching them to respect us as their parent? I think it might be getting blurry,... Read More
Enjoying life just because….
I was driving my 11-year-old home from school the other day when she asked if I would let her out so she could run the last four blocks. It was a cool spring day as she ran to the house, laughing and carefree while I drove alongside her. It was all I could do to choke back the tears as I watched her run, partly because she seemed so happy and partly because I wanted to freeze the moment. I want her to always feel free to run… just because she wants to and just because she... Read More
Affirming words can go long way
Clean your room. Study. Go to bed. Cut the drama. Hurry up. Why’d you get a C on that test? Clean your room. Study. Go to bed. Cut the drama. Hurry up. Why’d you get a C on that test? (I tend to repeat the same phrases when I talk to my kids). However, I’ve discovered that I often don’t repeat the phrases that should be repeated. Recently, someone told me that my older daughter doesn’t seem confident. I tried to figure out why. Then I thought about... Read More
Children need to cope with variety of teachers
As a teacher, I promise you most of us don’t have time to sit around and think about how much we hate individual students. That’s not to say we don’ t enjoy teaching some students more than others, but I digress… As a parent, I feel your pain and frustration when it comes to teachers you don’t like or don’t understand. For parents who are inclined to think a teacher dislikes her child, consider it a teachable moment. When kids make this claim it’s often... Read More
Study habits take work
Go study. Just study. All you need to do is study. Good grades don’t just happen, you have to study. If I had a dime for every time I uttered some version of those words to a student or my own children, I’d have a nice little slush fund. The reality is most kids are not born with a study gene. I hate to admit that I’m having a bit of an epiphany. How many of us can say someone actually taught us how to study? I’m thinking back on my childhood and I’m sure no one took... Read More
Say No to Wimpy Parenting
I believe I am the disciplinarian in my home. You would agree if you could see the slight grin on my husband’s face when he “scolds” our daughters. Although I have to admit that saying I’m the disciplinarian is not saying a whole lot or at least as much as I want it to say. I figured that out when I was talking recently to one of my best girlfriends about how she disciplines her son. One year he was slacking off on his schoolwork and she decided he would have a gift-free... Read More
Mothers: Get off the rollercoaster
Any mother who is parenting teenage girls knows it can be challenging to say the least. Somewhere around 12 or 13, things have a way of changing. Suddenly your little girl is telling you you’re ruining her life or you don’t understand or just leave her alone. It kind of creeps up on you and if you’re not careful your hormones will be swinging with theirs. I really am convinced that part of it is hormonal and no matter what you do, there will be mood swings and all... Read More
Less Than I Had: My Children’s Definition of a “Good Christmas”
3-year-old Logan Littlejohn plays with a new toy. I want my children to have less than I had. I know that sounds counterintuitive; each generation should want more for their children than they had themselves. Right? I suppose so. On the heels of Christmas, I’m in a strange place, pondering what it means to internalize our culture of consumption and force that on my children. After all, they’re only toddlers and they have years to make up their minds about this. Before... Read More
Safeguard Your Child for Asthma Attacks at School
The beginning of the school year is stressful for most children and their parents. But if your child has asthma, the new school year becomes even more nerve-racking. It doesn’t have to be that way. With some preparation and organization, you and your kids can have a problem-free year. “Asthma is a serious problem in schools and the #1 chronic disease affecting absenteeism in the U.S.,” says Mike Tringale, Vice President at Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA),... Read More
Children and Family Finances
Q: How do I talk to my children (all younger than age 10) about what’s going on with the family finances? My husband and I are stressed by this situation, and the children know something is wrong. How much information is too much? A: Our financial problems can influence how our children view money in the future if they realize the tension in the household. Several recent studies have also pointed to adverse emotional and social effects on children in families stressed by... Read More
