Focus on Better Behavior

We live in an age where many kids think they are entitled, believing that they don't need to contribute to the household. I am not a firm believe in giving money for chores and it's important to teach your children that the whole family needs to contribute to keep the house since all of you live there. It helps to create a plan together so that your kids feel that they are involved. Figure out how many chores to give to each child and let them pick the ones that they want to take on. If you can pick a day that you do chores so that all of you are working together to accomplish one goal. Picking a fun activity ...

More about: Teaching Kids About Household Chores

The stage between middle childhood and adolescence is usually the hardest between the ages of 10-12, this will prepare you for the teen years which have been known to be some of the most challenging years of parenthood. Tweens start coming into their own and may begin to back-talk, ignore and roll their eyes at you when you try to discipline or just try and talk to them. You need to stand your ground as a parent and let them know what is acceptable and what is not. Keep your cool when dealing with your tween, you don't to lose control and fly off the handle as they may model the same behavior. When explaining your reasons for discipline be ...

More about: Saving Your Sanity Parenting Tween

I read about a recent poll that asked people if birthdays for kids had gotten out of control. It was an overwhelming "yes". Many believe that in this age, parents go overboard and it's really to show off for other parents, not to have a party for the kids. When I was a kid, we had cake and ice cream and the age I was as a candle on the cake. Maybe 3-4 other kids would come and we would play in the yard. It's best for your sanity to keep it simple. If they are old enough let them choose a few friends to do something, the zoo, the park, a swimming pool, or just have a small party ...

More about: Is Your Child’s Birthday Party Out of Control?

Gone are the days of time-outs, distractions and gold stars when it comes to teens,  new tactics need to be used at this age. However, routine can still work with teenagers, they do well with clear guidelines and limited choices. Kids may bring all sorts of contracts home once school begins, for homework or athletics. It is a discipline that shows their commitment not just because someone told them so. Trying contracts at home for enforcing positive behavior can work well. They spell out what is expected and the consequences when those things are not met. it encourages better behavior and making good choices. When writing up a contract keep the following in mind: Be concise, keep it short or ...

More about: Cracking Down on Your Teen’s Behavior

Sometimes kids go through a time when they don't want ton play "win or lose" games for fear of losing. Some kids can be very sensitive about losing a game especially when their classmates may  be better at some things than they are. At this age they begin to realize that they are moving away from the baby stage moving into the big kid stage, they don't want to feel like a baby. It can be hard to make them understand that it's ok to win or lose, that playing the game is what's more important. This is a crucial life lesson that can be challenging to teach to some kids. As parents we just need to be supportive and ...

More about: When Your Child Hates to Lose

The use of social media by teenagers is on the rise and it's no wonder really, it's the a way. along with texting, that teens connect with their friends. I myself spend a lot of time on the internet and use social media sites. I think as long as there are some ground rules for use then it's a win win situation. Make sure they take care of their other responsibilities and balance their time between surfing the internet and getting homework or chores done. Having a computer for use outside their room is important so you know what sites they are going to and what they might be doing on the computer. Make sure you talk to them about ...

More about: Teens Using Social Media

Adolescence is a challenging stage for both you and your child. It's a stage where your child begins to separate from childhood. By establishing distance from childhood this means distance from parents and finding friends who are going through the same things. Striving for popularity seems so important at this age, that belonging with their peers will make things a lot better. There is a down side to popularity. It requires pleasing, it brings pressure, attracts inauthentic people, and it can go to their head and have them act inauthentically themselves. Popularity and friend ship are not the same. Popularity is political and friendship is personal. More importantly they find find a few close friends that they can trust and ...

More about: Your Child’s Pursuit of Popularity

I read about a new book that has just come out by Betsy Brown Braun Called "You're Not the Boss of Me" that guides you in how to raise honest, self-reliant, respectful and unspoiled children. All parents have dealt with back-talk and fits from their children. Sometimes the way we handle it does not give us the results that we want. Let's look at some of the advice that she has to offer when your children talk back. First don't take it personally. Your child is trying to lay their feelings on to you so don't take their bait. The back talk is fueled by your response so the more you respond, the worse it can get. Save your anger ...

More about: “Brat-Proofing” Your Child

I read about a new social networking site that helps parents organize their children's social activities. It's called socialtoddler.com and it creates a safe space to plan and schedule events and meet other families in your area. You can organize play groups, individual play groups, birthday parties and even adult-only events. This site is great for families that are new to the area that want to meet new people and find friends for their kids. You have a lot of control over your profile as to what information people can see and what access they have to the groups that you set up or are a part of. It can be exhausting trying to keep track of all ...

More about: Losing Your Life to Your Child’s Social Life

Many years ago children did not talk back to their parents, nor did they argue or raise their voices. This is not a very effective way to relate to people. Times have changed and when dealing with conflicts with your children it's important to let them express themselves. Learning that it's ok to be upset and that expressing it will allow them deal with their feelings in a positive way. Listen to them and understand their upset before you say or do anything. It's important for them to be heard. Avoid yelling when dealing with conflicts, try and stay calm and get down to your child's level. Suggest that they calm down a bit before trying to explain their upset ...

More about: Dealing With Conflicts With Your Children