Lessons in Parenting

Recently someone asked me what to do about toddler tantrums – specifically, toddler tantrums in public places. You know, like when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store. Toddler tantrums in grocery stores are by far the worst, and can be SO embarrassing if you’re That Parent. So what to do when your toddler […]

Be honest, now: Do you try to be the “perfect parent”? Or are you OK with just “good-enough parenting”? That phrase – “good enough parenting” – is honestly something that just popped into my brain a little while ago. Once again, it is way too late and I am finding time to write ONLY BECAUSE

How To Get Your Kid To Talk To You More: I’ve often thought that when a child is born, every parent should automatically get a few bonus upgrades to themselves. Tops on the list is one extra hand per child – how many times, busy Mamas, have you literally wished you have two or three

Easy Tips for Building Memories Over Your Next Holiday Weekend: If you live in the United States or Canada, there’s a good chance your kids got a day off from school today, whether for Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or Thanksgiving. Did you do anything special to mark this holiday weekend with them? Whatever the

Are you planning a huge event for your local school, house of worship, or volunteer organization? dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected homeowner’s claim? about to move cross-town? looking at buying or inheriting a new-to-you, gently-loved piano for your budding musician?? These are all situations when you might be tempted to go it alone

Want your child to grow up with good values? Here’s where to start: In our fast-paced 21st-century existence, everyone’s attention span is getting ever-shorter. As parents, unless you constantly remove distractions from your kiddos’ lives (television, electronics, etc.), you’ll be competing for their attention at every turn. Starting as soon as they begin to play

Your Plan Of Action For When Your Child Locks The Door (Literally!): Anyone who thinks kids aren’t fascinated by door locks either doesn’t have kids, or hasn’t met every kid I know: At first, pushing that shiny button is the “let’s see what this does?” curiosity of a toddler. When your kid hits preschool age,

Becoming a parent for the first time changes you. For many of us, it’s the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to us – eventually. But those first couple of months can be pure torture. It’s hard to fully appreciate how wonderful parenthood is when you’re exhausted and don’t have a moment to yourself. If

Does My Child Have A Learning Disability/Difference? A Step-By-Step Guide For Parents Ah, the joys of going back to school! New Supplies! New friends! And, if you’re a work-at-home mama, more sleep because you’re no longer trying to cram in all those work hours after your kids’ bedtime (as I am while drafting this)! But

I have a confession to make: I was born in the 1970s. When I was growing up, the Little House On The Prairie TV series was in its first run. It was still on the air the Christmas I turned five, when I received my very own 9-volume boxed set of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic

Your Quick-Start Guide to Helping Elderly Relatives: Sometimes it creeps up on us slowly. Sometimes there’s a crisis – one parent’s death, or a serious diagnosis – that makes it clear: Our parents aren’t getting any younger. And as they age, they may need more help from their adult children in taking care of themselves.

Why Grownups Need Bedtime Routines Too: As parents, we spend a lot more time than we’d care to admit to worrying about our kids’ bedtime routines. When they’re babies, we can’t wait for a routine. We look forward to them going to bed at the same time every day and sleeping through the night, because

Do you worry about the summer slide? It’s hard for the average kid not to lose ground academically over the long summer break. Add in a learning difference or two, and summer can become a real threat to your child’s academic progress in the upcoming school year. What’s a parent to do? Slipping learning activities

Creating A Game Room For Your Kids: Do you have an extra room in your house that hasn’t yet found its purpose in life? Maybe it’s the finished area of your basement. Maybe it was going to be your spare bedroom, but never quite got there. Either way, I bet it’s currently filled with all

Quick & Easy Ideas to Banish Summer Boredom: How will your kids spend their summer? Mine have a good mix of camp, music and swim lessons, and family adventures lined up. But there will come a time for every family – some sooner, some later – when your kids utter those two dreaded words: “I’m

Helping Your Kids Make Summer Meaningful: How will your kids spend their summer break from school? Will they laze around the house all day, glued to video games? Or will they make memories, learn new things, and become even closer to the rest of the family? The choice is up to you, and now is