The Wisdom of Silence: Why You Should Pause Before Reacting
There’s an old saying that goes, “Be silent or say something better than silence”. It’s a perfect phrase to remember when we feel frustrated by our children’s behavior. If we don’t have something constructive to say and are about to lose our cool, it’s better to take a deep breath and just stay quiet. By […]
Change Is Hard, But It’s Worth It
As a parent coach, I know I often challenge you to consider making significant changes at home. It’s essential to remember a key truth: children aren’t born with a full set of emotional and social skills. They don’t have the innate ability to control impulses, delay gratification, or motivate themselves to do homework or chores. […]
Parents Misbehave Too!
As parents, we are in a constant cycle of teaching and reinforcing values. While we can guide our children, ultimately, they are in control of their own behavior. Sometimes, they will make mistakes that require correction, but our response to those missteps is the key to meaningful change. Being firm and consistent while showing understanding […]
From Curiosity to Collaboration: Instilling Habits in Children
When children are young, they are naturally curious and eager to imitate the adults in their lives. While it might seem time-consuming, this is the perfect opportunity to nurture their innate desire to learn. What a child is capable of is incredible, and the Montessori method offers a wonderful example of this. At a Montessori […]
The Antidote to Screens: Why Kids Need Free Play
Lately, much has been written about the negative impact that screens and internet access are having on children and adolescents. One of the biggest problems for their development is precisely what they stop doing while in front of a screen: playing with real kids in the real world. In other words, the most effective antidote […]
Beyond “You’re the Best!”: The Power of Specific Appreciation
As parents, we often show our love and approval with general, enthusiastic praise like, “You are the best!” or “You’re so awesome!” Our intention is always good—we want our children to feel seen and loved for something they did that was kind, helpful, or a personal accomplishment. But while these generic phrases can make a […]
Gratitude Starts at Home: A Lesson for Life
Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to give children a simple yet powerful lesson in gratitude. The key is as easy as thanking each other—with the kids as witnesses—for the daily support you provide, even for the smallest things. In our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to take each other for granted. We often talk about our […]
Is your child ready for preschool?
When you’re searching for the right preschool, you’re likely asking yourself, “Will this school be good enough for my little one?” But there’s another, more critical question to consider: “Is my child prepared for school?” In my experience, most of the problems young children face in a new school are related to their conduct. If […]
Keys to Coexistence: How to Teach Your Children to Get Along Peacefully
Getting along is a challenge even for adults. So, it’s not realistic to expect your children to naturally get along, share, and play for long periods without conflict. Nor is it realistic to assume they will know how to manage their anger and frustration on their own. But the good news is that you can […]
Responding to Their Fears: The Key to Providing Security
All children experience fears and worries at some point, and these change with their age. Imagine your daughter comes to you crying because she’s afraid to be alone in her room. Do you know how to respond effectively? Parents often react in ways that, although well-intentioned, don’t help to calm them down. Responses That Don’t […]