Do you have a little tattletale on your hands? @themominitiativ @loriwildenberg Click To Tweet Do you have a little tattletale on your hands? Is tattling driving you CRAZY? When I was teaching elementary school, I found my first grade students had the potential to be Master Tattlers. In order to get through the day, especially recess time, I needed to develop some sort of system to reduce the annoying drone of the tattle. In class, we discussed the difference between being a Reporter or being a Tattler. Once we had the definitions down, the tattling decreased. When tattling did …
5 Common Ways Parents Breed Sibling Rivalry
“My kids fight all the time!” “I can’t stand the arguing.” “I just want some peace.” Does this sound familiar? Do you want your kids to get along? Do you want your quiet back? Or even better… Do you want your kids to be friends not foes? Do you want your kids to be friends not foes? @loriwildenberg Click To Tweet It seems times where attention is directed toward another sibling due to a celebration, like a birthday, or another’s success can stir the pot of envy, jealousy, or discontent. Sibling rivalry is the result. Sibling rivalry is as old …
5 Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Family Ties
No offense Peyton, but I loved watching the Broncos the year Tim Tebow was the quarter back. You never knew what was going to happen. The follow up interviews were almost as good. Even though the reporters wanted to focus on Tim, he kept his focus on the team and God. I liked that. When I lead my parenting classes, one of the things we talk about is family unity, being a like a team, having the same main focus while appreciating each others gifts. I don’t want to run a boarding house or a taxi service where there is …
Don’t Be Held Captive by HOMEWORK!
It’s coming. The feeling of being held captive by… It’s coming. The feeling of being held captive by… @themominitiativ @loriwildenberg Click To Tweet Your Child’s Homework! AHHHH– I’ve sat there in the cell alongside you. Chained to my kid, his paper, and his book. So before your jail sentence begins, make an escape plan. No matter if the child is a high achiever or a struggling student, his homework often becomes mom or dad’s. Parents can get emotionally attached to their kid’s school work. We want our kids to succeed but…#Backtoschool #RaisingKids Click To Tweet Most of us would say we …
Are Power Struggles Your Kryptonite?
Are power struggles your kryptonite? Kids are in it to win it, aren’t they? They are all in when it comes to fighting for their way. Power struggles are exhausting for the parent. Exhilarating to the child. It has helped me to understand why power struggles occur. Then I am better able to avoid my parent kryptonite. So WHY? Just ‘cuz. Just ‘cuz that is how we are all wired. One of our most basic needs is the need for freedom and independence. We need opportunities to make decisions for ourselves. Of course as parents we know our end goal …
Busting 4 Common Mom Myths
Moms, here are a few myths we are tempted to believe … and the truth that busts them: 1. Correction Crushes a Child’s Spirit. TRUTH: No. Correction is training. Kids need training. Criticism is the thing that crushes a child’s spirit. Correction motivates and encourages a child to do something better. It is training. Criticism sounds like: Your room is always a mess. You are so disorganized. How can you find anything? (negative, personal attack, shaming) Correction sounds like: Your room needs some TLC. I will show you how you can organize it. I …
How to Build Resentment in Your Child
The goal: Keep the child happy. (seems good) The trend: Be the child’s best pal. (sounds pleasant) BUT…the reality is relationship without rules breeds resentment. relationship without rules breeds resentment. Click To Tweet Here are the top 6 ways to increase bitterness in a child’s heart by being his all time best chum. The best bud parent: 1. is over-indulgent: Says yes to every material item and whim under the sun. The child never has to earn anything and doesn’t experience the chance to say, “Yes I worked for that.” 2. is unable to make a decision: An indecisive parent …
Words are Powerful
Our words can bless or curse. Wound or heal. Build up or tear down. Words. Are. Powerful. I came across an article the other day about a seventh grade boy who posted on Instagram that he was planning on committing suicide on his birthday. This young boy had been severely bullied. He had been wounded by other students’ words and actions. While being hospitalized for treatment, the boy’s mom got an idea. She asked people on Facebook to send her son words of encouragement. He received THOUSANDS of responses. All uplifting and hopeful. The words of affirmation, affection, and love all …
Why Heroin?
Just over a year ago, actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died of an apparent heroin overdose. This brought the topic of drug use back to main stream attention. We have become aware of kids using prescription drugs, but now we hear heroin is making a comeback; reminiscent of the 70’s and early 80’s drug culture. Heroin is making a comeback Click To Tweet In one of the parenting courses I’m teaching, I asked, “Why heroin”? A mom and dad who are sadly intimately knowledgeable about this issue answered, “It’s cheap and easy to use.” After doing a little research myself, …