How should You respond when your child says, “I’m bored.”? It was finally here. After a long, cold winter and barely-there spring, I was so happy to welcome summer. The day was as pretty as a postcard, with spotless blue … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Playful Parenting
Mindful Play: How To Be Present When You Play With Your Child
Kids are the masters of play. When kids play, they are truly living in the moment. They are open to possibility. They focus all their senses on what they see, hear, smell and touch. And when we hold back from … Continue reading
A Love Letter to Parents
If you were to see a job description for a role where non-stop, around-the-clock care was compulsory, and there was no training and no overtime, would you take it? Probably not! Yet, it’s what we all sign up for when we … Continue reading
Setting Boundaries on Behavior: Why Humor Works Where Harshness Doesn’t
Humor is an uplifting strategy to use in setting limits if your child isn’t too upset. Kids love nothing better than a good laugh, and using humor to pry them out of their behavioral ruts can lift your whole family’s … Continue reading
What To Do When The Kids Go Wild!
Imagine this. Your kids are on a playdate. Everything is fine. There are a few giggles. Some stomping. The next minute? The kids are laughing manically, and the house is so trashed it looks like it has seconds until it … Continue reading
Try This When You Come Home to A Cranky Toddler
You’ve had a hard day and you walk through the door, ready to see your child and find out what you missed. Except that when you walk into your home, your son or daughter gives you a sour look. You … Continue reading
Dealing with Whining: Getting From Angry to Happy in 20 Minutes or Less
A Guest Post by Michelle Pate I picked up my seemingly happy seven-year-old from school one day, but by the time we got in the car to drive home, she was filled with frustration and tears. She was whining about … Continue reading
When Playing Poop was Suddenly “OK”
One point of difference between Hand in Hand and other parenting approaches is recognizing laughter and play as a way to relieve tension. So often, play is overlooked as a parenting tool, but here we see the amazing way … Continue reading
Why Has My Little Boy Become Violent?
A Guest Post by Michelle Kokel Dear Hand in Hand, Please help. My 4-year-old son has had a turbulent time at pre-school and has become very aggressive. I am seeing this as an issue around separation. We have increased Special … Continue reading
How to Set Limits with Laughter
A Guest Post by Stephanie Parker My daughter is about to turn nine and I’ve been thinking recently that I’d like her to do more around the house. I haven’t spent enough time making this happen in the past, I’ve … Continue reading
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