October 2013

Loving the Candy (Setting Limits at Halloween)

Saturday, October 26 2013 No Comments

My 7-year-old daughter, M, returned home from trick-or-treating this Halloween with a bag of candy that weighed at least 5 pounds. In past years, she would eat a few pieces of candy Halloween night, we would put the bag up away from the dogs, and then she could choose a piece each night after dinner. She would forget it was there after a couple of nights, and then we’d bring the rest into work for the office candy bowl. It didn’t quite work that way this year though.

How I Released My Fear of The Dentist

Thursday, October 17 2013 No Comments

As I was crying the pain began to release in my tooth and by the end I didn’t feel any pain at all. The next day it was also better but it was apparent I still needed to go to the dentist because the tooth needed attention.

Helping My Daughter Feel Capable

Thursday, October 10 2013 No Comments

First I started carrying all 48 lbs. of her in front of me. When that became too much, I shifted her to piggy back. It wasn’t long before that became too much for me. I knew I had to figure out a creative way to help her feel independent and capable but not feel like I was pushing her away. This would be a perfect time for Playlistening.

Playlistening: Play that Lets Children Lead

Wednesday, October 9 2013 No Comments

Every night after dinner, around 7:30 pm I play with my daughter, 4, and my son, 2. They decide where we will play and what they want to do. They have been choosing to play on my bed lately. Before we start, I let them know that I am setting the alarm for 15 minutes.

Do “Consequences” Help Children Learn Better Behavior?

Tuesday, October 8 2013 No Comments

The kinds of consequences we parents favor depend on the culture we’ve grown up in, but we’re all pretty well convinced, when we start out, that a parent needs to exact consequences for a child’s unthinking moments.

Special Time and the Cabra Cabres Monster

Wednesday, October 2 2013 No Comments

“I am the Cabra Cabres. I’ll jump over you and cut you in three pieces!”

Play Eases Grocery Shopping Tension with My Sons