Why I Let My Child Hit During Her Upsets
“My daughter, who is seven, always wanted to sleep in my bed. She went through a period of crying every night about sleeping alone. I listened to her cry each time, hoping it was doing
Three Gentle Ways to Fight A Child’s Resistance to Bedtime or Sleep
Many children go through phases where they resist sleep, either in the day, at night or both! “How can I get my child to nap?” This question came to us from a parent recently. The mom’s
Belynda Smith
When I became a parent I was besotted! I read everything I could find on how to help my son thrive. Yet we struggled tremendously with sleeplessness, tantrums, aggression and a variety of life challenges.
How To Set Limits That Help Children Sleep
In this post on sleep issues, we talked about using play as a tool that helps children release the minor fears and tensions that hold them back from sleeping well. Sometimes those fears run deeper
Calm and Playful Responses to Help a Child Sleep
When a child resist’s sleep, he or she is not deliberately trying to manipulate or annoy. Bedtime often involves a period of separation between a parent and a child that can be confronting for them. Darkness
A Reconnect Helps When Kids Move Offtrack On the Holidays
I’d been longing to go for some walks over Christmas. We had one planned on Christmas day an hour before we were due to have lunch with my partner’s family. The first ten minutes went
Five Games to Help with Bedtime Refusal
Laughter releases the tensions of the day and lets children relax and feel connected to you. And it’s way more fun than a power struggle! Download this list of quick games to help when your
Is My Stress Affecting My Child?
Dear Hand in Hand, There has been a lot going on in my life at the moment that I’m finding hard to deal with. I’m pregnant, not sleeping and my father recently passed away. Now
My Child Calls Me “Mean Mom.” What Should I Do?
It’s a Monday morning, everyone is grumpy, and your child does not want to get out of bed. “You’re so mean!” your child shouts as you tell her it’s time to get up. “I hate
Why Does Parenting Feel So Hard?
Surely not one of us reading this set out thinking that parenting would be a breeze? We hear about sleep deprivation from the moment we announce that we are becoming parents. We know they’ll be
Tantrums: Should I Talk About Them With My Child?
Dear Hand in Hand I’ve worked really hard to support my daughter when she cries recently. When I hold her and tell her I’m listening she does come to a point when her tears clear,
How Play Helped When My Child Got Scared At Bedtime
My 6-year-old recently asked me to sleep next to her at bedtime. It was unusual because she usually has no problems going to sleep by herself. I thought that maybe she needed some connection time
3 of the Best Ways For Kids to Play
As they move from play dough to playground and from dress up to dodgeball, it may seem like our children spend their whole day playing. And that’s great. But some of the best ways to
Why Does My Child Always Want Mom?
Our son is nearly three years old. He still goes through some separation anxiety when he’s without his mom. We usually put him to bed together, but the other night, my wife needed a break.
Complaining Kids? Try This One Thing To Stop The Whining
One day, we were traveling by car six about hours away from our home town. I got food for the kids so they wouldn’t feel hungry during the ride, and they were soon tucking in.
Hold The Limit, Honor the Struggle: Homework Battles and How to Help
It’s the beginning of the school year, and as surely as leaves will drop, so will the homework. Pages and pages of it. Sometimes whole binders worth. Homework can be the source of many arguments,
Why Our Dog’s Gift To Us In Dying Was Closeness
After 28 years of being together, my husband and I divorced. My son and two daughters were in their teens. The divorce and the years leading up to it had been very painful for each
When I Couldn’t Stop Yelling
I was excited to become a mother, but I didn’t have any idea what I was in for. I thought that parenting would be lots of love and gently guiding my child. I thought that