Special Time and Face Time
Friday, February 3 2012
I had been having a harder and harder time carving out regular Special Time for my two sons. During the day, when I am the only adult present, neither of them can stand to be
Tag: Special Time
This Supersize Game Melts Sibling Struggles
Saturday, December 31 2011
Introducing The Great Sumo Play! My most recent fun idea for dissolving sibling struggles between my 6 and 12 year old is (drumroll): Sumo wrestling shirts! We get two of dad’s big t-shirts, stuff the
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
Why Limits Are Vital for Young Children
Thursday, November 10 2011
Words don’t work well in setting limits with children of any age! Move in close, offer a tone of generosity and warmth, and gently but firmly stop the unworkable behavior.
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.
How Special Time Can Keep Kids Honest
Wednesday, October 19 2011
As I was making the food, she came and sat on the counter right next to me and said, “I’m such a bad girl. There you are doing all those nice things for me, and I always act terribly, not even thanking you, and lying to you all the time…”
Try A Weekend of Special Time To Help Problem Behavior
Wednesday, October 12 2011
Often times my son will walk by his siblings and push them down or punch them on their backs or yell in their faces. If they are doing something that irritates him, he will get extremely close and ball up his fists and visibly shake with anger.
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.
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
Special Time Leads to Connection
Tuesday, October 26 2010
I am absolutely amazed at the powerful effects that Special Time has on my relationship with my daughter, and also in helping her address things that are bothering her.
Tantrum Training Class Helps a Family
Wednesday, October 13 2010
First I would like to thank for your support. I am so glad that I could attend the Tantrum Training seminar. I have a 2.5 year old son and a 16 month old daughter. As
Biting, Pushing, Pulling Hair – Helping Children with Aggression
Friday, July 9 2010
Has your child ever lashed out and hurt someone? Has another aggressive child ever bothered him?
Happy Hiking
Monday, July 5 2010
A part of me just wanted to push through and get it over with, but then I thought maybe a little impromptu special time might shift the mood.
Special Time Helps with Teethbrushing
Sunday, June 6 2010
Whenever I caught a break from his rigorous brushing, I begged, “no more!” in vain. He would put more rigor into his brushing laughing and really enjoying this role reversal.
Emotional Project – Help for Nail Biting
Friday, April 30 2010
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.