By Kirsten Nottleson On Thanksgiving morning, my husband and I were both feeling a stressed trying to get the turkey, pie, cranberry relish, and salad ready to pack in the car. We were off to grandma’s house for “the big meal.” “Please, Please, Play” We have two boys, aged 4 and 10, and my four-year-old
Listening Time There’s nothing like raising kids to bring tension into a family. Right from pregnancy it can seem like every decision you make comes under scrutiny, and then feeding, sleeping, schooling, behavior and discipline draw opinions and comparisons. Straying from the parenting path your parents used to raise you can bring up all
Dear Hand in Hand, My daughter’s school is really pushing reading. They constantly say how reading opens the world and makes for a more ready and open learner. I’ve always thought I was quite lucky because my 7-year-old girl just loves to read. She’ll read upside down on the couch, in the car on the
Connection parenting can seem unfamiliar, daunting, and even strange to family members and friends. Unless you have tried the power of play and giggles to ease away tension and stress, joking with your moody child can look to them like you are bending over backwards. Sweet, loving limits can appear like you are being
Books can be a warm route into moments of connection. If your child is facing issues, from separation anxiety, to tantrums or sibling rivalry, snuggling up with a relevant book can be a great way for both of you to connect and explore what’s happening, in words or simply in unspoken comfort. Your child might
Dear Hand in Hand, Since the new year, i’m trying to play more with my children. We’ve been playing lots of hide and seek and roughhousing, and it feels great most of the time, but sometimes I’m just too tired to play! I read your recent post about triggers that might be holding me back from
We know that babies cries alert parents to their needs. How else could we know when they need comfort, food, changing? But children are just as in touch with what they need to survive and feel well, even if we, as parents, might not be as alert to their calls. In this post, Brindusa Milasan
I have done a lot of limit setting and Staylistening with my 5-year-old since learning Hand in Hand Parenting’s five tools, and I’ll admit that Staylistening has been a work in progress. Staylistening comes from the approach that children cry and tantrum to release feelings that are troubling them. Parents might be aware of what
Social exclusion can be painful for the whole family. Here’s how you can help.
Now we’re asking you to spread the word and get “Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges” heard by others that don’t yet know about it.
It’s the most important job we’ll ever take on, but forget about winning awards or recognition when you apply. Parenting is without manuals or certification and there are no real guidelines, except, maybe, to survive.
If you could have a break from parenting, what would it look like? “I imagined myself taking this long, unhurried walk by myself. I made up the scene as it came into my mind: How I would find this one, perfect quiet spot, and just sit there, noticing everything around me.”
Need help getting anywhere with a little one in tow? When our kids first learn to walk, they may be so determined it’s hard to stop them. However once the novelty wears off there may be moments when we’re on our way somewhere and they get grumpy, whiny and don’t want to walk on there own.
We were at an impasse for at least 10 minutes. We tried to wait patiently for her to be ready to leave, but she refused to buckle her car seat and physically prevented us from helping her. Finally, after at least 10 minutes, she allowed me to help her. She was tired and angry and the look in her eyes said, “Help me. I’m in here somewhere and I can’t find myself.”
My toddler slapped me three times in church last week and I did not hit her back. The pastor asked me how I managed to stay so calm. I pictured our Hand in Hand teacher. In spring 2015, the Hand in Hand Parenting community came together to raise $15,000 to provide free Hand in Hand
One mainstream response to ”attention seeking behaviour” is to ignore the bad and praise the good. But this doesn’t address the underlying upset feelings that are always beneath our child’s off-track behaviour.
I’d love to live in a world where my daughter could take her time, where I could just open the back door and she could run out and play with other children all day. Unfortunately our world is not that simple. Most of us out of necessity have to, at least some of the time, get our children out of the house. And we a have a time limit.
Does your child resist trying new things or going places where he or she doesn’t really know what to expect? Here’s how you can boost your child’s confidence and sense of adventure when facing new situations.