The Morning Grumpies Turned Around
Monday, May 10 2010
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I moved us over to the couch and pulled him onto my lap and held him while he cried away all the cluttered emotions that were getting in his way.
Tag: Hand in Hand
Setting Limits with a Pre-Teen
Friday, May 7 2010
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My wife and I also had to process our feelings: it didn’t feel good to hear how painful it was for us to limit her social life in this way. She felt badly, we felt badly.
The Car Seat Sessions
Tuesday, May 4 2010
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Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, my son turned into Houdini and escaped from his car seat. It was now taking an average of two hours just to get a few miles.
Emotional Project – Help for Nail Biting
Friday, April 30 2010
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I talked about nail biting, how I feel about it, and how I feel about my sons doing it. It felt to me as if nail biting was one of those habits that was almost impossible to shake off. I felt that my sons were doomed to live with the habit for the rest of their lives.
Using Listening Tools at Home and at School
Friday, April 16 2010
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Later that day, when, once again, he did not get the chair he wanted, he STARTED to reach out and hit, but with pause, he stopped, and at the suggestion of another teacher to sit in another chair, he complied!
Special Time is for Parents Too!
Wednesday, April 7 2010
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I decided that we had to do some Special Time (whether we wanted to or not!)
Listening Time Helps a Mom Move Into Action
Friday, April 2 2010
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I was able to speak clearly and assertively about my feelings and what I had witnessed. He was very open to hearing me and shared some common concerns.
Setting Limits To Keep A Child Safe
Monday, March 29 2010
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We talked about holding hands crossing the road and I pointed out the safe places for him to ride on his own. That was good for awhile.
I’ll Help You Wait
Tuesday, March 23 2010
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I have been working on how to wait when someone else has something my son wants. It all started with hoping to teach my son how to share and play with other kids without my son hitting. Someone would have something he wanted or other way around. So, I have learned to stay close to help him during these times and hold the limit.
Recording our Success Stories
Thursday, March 18 2010
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Take some time to write down your success stories and when you’re having a rough day pull them out and remember what a good parent you are.
Connecting When the Door Is Closed
Friday, March 12 2010
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I quickly grabbed a small notebook and pen, scribbled, “Dear Owen, I love you, Love Mommy” on a sheet of paper, and shoved it under the door.
Laughter Eases the Way to Brushing Teeth
Sunday, March 7 2010
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Now, that it was time to brush teeth and go to bed, they were not in the mood.
Talking Snow Boots
Wednesday, March 3 2010
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I asked her if she could tell me what was bothering her about the boots. She took the boots and threw them.
Emotional Project – Toilet Troubles
Saturday, February 27 2010
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The next time I saw him on tippy toes, with a worried look on his face, I moved towards him and put my arms around him. I said “Hey mate, it looks like you need to do a poo. I’m going to help you”. That was all he needed to start crying – he fought hard against me as he cried, “No, No, NO! I don’t want to.”
Supporting a Child – and her teacher – in School
Tuesday, February 23 2010
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After the listening time I began to think of how the teacher must feel. If she was calling the children crybabies, she must not be feeling very good herself.
Helping a 10-Year Old Give Up Thumb-Sucking
Sunday, February 14 2010
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I spent some “Special Time” with her, playing until we felt like we knew each other. Eventually, she told me that she wanted to stop sucking her thumb. I said that I would stay with her while she tried to think about taking her thumb out of her mouth, but that I wasn’t going to make her take it out.
My Child Stopped Drawing: How to Help a Child Regain Confidence
Monday, February 8 2010
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I knew that she was judging herself harshly, and I wanted to see if she could work through it.
Helping My Son Sleep in His Bed
Thursday, February 4 2010
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So, the night before last seemed the perfect night to put my limit setting to the test. When my youngest woke up and wanted to come to our bed, I said in a loving tone, “No. I’m going to go sleep with Aba (dad), and you are going to stay here in bed with your brother.”