Screen Time and Junk Food
What do you recommend parents do to get their kids more physically active. My son is only 10 years old but he’s getting a gut and is glued to screens of one kind or another
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Crying
Some children need to “have a good cry” when they are upset. If a parent can let the cry “run its course”, reacting with care rather than interference, sometimes a child can feel and act
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Thoughts for Parents who Work Long Hours
A dad and mom came to talk with me about the eldest of their two children, Marty. He was becoming increasingly stubborn and upset at home. The family had been fortunate in many ways; mom
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“You Don’t Love Me! I Don’t Want to Go to School!”
Dear Sharon, How do you respond to a child who says “You don’t love me…. if you did you wouldn’t send me to school.” Dear Parent, Dramatic statements such as “You don’t love me!” or
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One Way to Avoid Power Battles
“You are a bad Mommy!” “I hate you Daddy!” These phrases are sometimes said when children are upset with their Mom or Dad. Parents of course are often alarmed or hurt by such powerful emotions.
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The Value of Role Reversals
Sometimes playing games that reverse the role of parent and child can be fun and lighten tension producing tasks. For example if your child hates to have their hair washed letting them wash your hair
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An Idea to Help an Uncommunicative Child
If a child won’t talk about something verbally sometimes they are willing to do so “in writing.” Setting up a little mailbox in your home for short “discussions” can sometimes be fun and help. I
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When Can “Time Outs” Work?
“Time outs” can work best when they offer a “cooling off” period for child and/or parent. If someone can get “their head on straight” from a break in the upheaval then usually things get better.
Toast for Dinner?
A Mom and Dad came to meet with me because their 2 year old son was hitting children and arguing with caregivers in his day care center. Both parents worked full time. Their child had
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My Child Doesn’t Want to go to School!
Dear Sharon, My daughter is five and has been to a Pre school where we had no problem. Suddenly she doesn’t want to go to school. Our mornings are crazy. Kindergarten is great! Why doesn’t
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