Generation Y: How Childhood Praise is Shaping a New Workforce I am not sure if any of you saw the local newscast about Generation Y last week, but I found it SO interesting! Not only did they discuss some of the trends of the group, but also how Gen Y-ers are changing...

Being the dog lover that I am, one of my favorite shows is The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. Lately, as I have been watching that show for insight into my own dogs (Toby and Daisy, two beagles), I have been amazed at the similarities of raising children well and...

The Hidden Dangers of Excessive TV for Kids Many families struggle with finding time to spend together amidst all of the obligations and activities of life. Sports, homework, dinner, baths, clubs and projects leave little opportunity to sit and chat about the day. Now...

Lessons in Parenting from Children’s Play I was recently at the Palm Harbor YMCA for the Healthy Kids Day and learned some interesting lessons from observing hundreds of children and their parents. Isn't it amazing how we can learn so much from children, yet we are...

The Importance of Choosing the Right Toys for Playtime I often encourage parents to play with their children in their homes and discuss the potential benefits of doing so. I have had several parents ask me if any toys are okay, or should there be specific toys chosen...

Many parents struggle with feeling that their children do not listen to them, or "must learn the hard way". It seems no matter how many times you try to teach them something, they don't get it. Sometimes, it can be even more frustrating that kids don't put what they...

Understanding Your Child Through Play: Unlock Hidden Emotions Communicating with your child can sometimes be difficult and frustrating. Children often do not verbally share what they are thinking and feeling, which makes understanding their moods and emotions a...

The Power of Tone: How Voice Shapes Child Communication One of the earliest forms of communication for children is the ability to pick up on cues given by adults. Some of these are nonverbal cues, such as a smile, touch, furrowed brow, etc. Others are verbal, and come...

One of the most common reasons children act out inappropriately is to get attention. Children recognize that when they choose to make poor choices, it usually creates a string of reactions that put them at the center of the issue. After all, negative attention is...

UPDATE: March 2020 This is my 2nd most visited post on my website. Nearly a hundred thousand visits a year come into this post that I made back in 2007. Because of the need I see for parents wanting to help their child build an emotional vocabulary, I worked with a...

As discussed in the February 26 newsletter, discipline remains a very difficult area of child rearing for parents. How do you balance being a parent and a friend? How do you show unconditional acceptance of your child but also set clear limits on behavior? The Power...

Why Helping Too Much Can Hold Kids Back As discussed in the January 22 newsletter, parents often find it easier to do things or answer for their children than to sit back and allow the children to respond in their own way or time. This is a sticky situation as parents...