The Broken Vase
Thursday, April 5 2012
One evening when my son was about three, we had a big dinner party. Â In all of the commotion a large vase broke. Â My son was very close to the vase when it broke and
Tag: Hand in Hand
Holding A Limit Can Make Bathtime Much More Fun
Wednesday, December 7 2011
When my kids were about 16 months old and taking a bath, one of them pulled up the shower knob and doused them both with cold water. Both of them cried a long time.  Several nights after this
The Good Tantrum
Wednesday, November 16 2011
Hi Hand in Hand Parenting, My almost 3 1/2 year old is having an especially hard time right now with family coming to visit. He has always had an extremely high need for connection. He
Helping a Toddler with Biting
Monday, November 7 2011
I had cared for one toddler at my day care center throughout his infancy and we had shared many good and close times together. He began biting other toddlers a few months after he had
Little Ones Have Big Feelings
Thursday, November 3 2011
Help! My 5 year old seems to be out of control these days. He throws toys, he’s very physical with me and our nanny, hitting us (and friends) as hard as can. He’ll be sweet
Three-Step Plan to Help Your Picky Eater
Thursday, October 20 2011
You can’t pour honey on a fear, or dress it up, or talk a child out of it. A fear is a feeling, and no logic or trick can pry a feeling out of a child.
Offering Support to A Challenged Infant
Thursday, October 13 2011
My grandson kept having life-threatening emergencies–it took a good while to get him stabilized. I stayed right beside him, talking him through it all. Drugged up on morphine, he kept one eye open finding my eyes. I talked about what was happening, what people were doing to help him, how we would not leave him alone and would help him fight,
A Game to Help Children with Shyness in Groups
Saturday, October 8 2011
Hi Patty, Group settings, especially large group settings, are very difficult for my daughter. I see a little girl who has some real fears of these situations, and it really hurts to see others judging
I Want to Go to the Park! Now!
Thursday, September 22 2011
he was stuck in “I want to go to the park” land. He whined, cried and begged to go to the park. I tried playing games with him to distract him, to no avail. I made up a song about “I want to go to the park.” He laughed a bit at that silliness, but soon returned to, “I want to go to the paaaarrrrk!!!” I ran around him in circles and tried to get him to dance with me. It only upset him more. His responses to all my questions and actions were, “I want to go to the park!!!” That was when I realized that it was not about going to the park. He was setting himself up for emotional release.
Starting Kindergarten
Thursday, September 15 2011
My five-year-old started kindergarten last week and he is almost finished with his second week. It wasn’t an easy transition for him and here is how we supported him using Parenting by Connection tools. Through
Transform Hair Washing Upsets
Monday, August 1 2011
When my son was about 21 months old, he started to hate having water poured over his head when I washed his hair in the bath. He would scream and scream every time, even when
Wanting Mama
Friday, July 29 2011
My daughter is 3, and she’s going to pre-school now. My husband and I have recently separated. Ella loves school. She talks about it enthusiastically when she’s at home, and she likes being there, but
How Does Connection Play Help with Homework?
Thursday, July 28 2011
Halfway through the first grade, my 7-year-old did not want to write or spell at home or school anymore. This was new for him. It seemed to me like the expectations for the first graders
Transitioning from TV
Saturday, June 25 2011
I believe the studies that suggest that TV isn’t really helpful for children because such passivity occurs for the viewer. Yet, I’d let the viewing get out of hand during a difficult few weeks. So,
The “Wrong” Sippy Cup
Wednesday, May 18 2011
Last night, my son (27 months) was having a typical evening, in a pretty good mood generally but, as usual, resisted having his teeth brushed. I brushed them just a little bit, let him brush