I think you're really going to enjoy this installment of our column, Parenting Styles. It resonated so much with me and what I've experienced this year with both my 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. I've found that it can go both ways as far as unwanted attention and it's something parents don't seem to know how to address... Something happened a few weeks ago, and I’m still mulling it over. My daughter, a first grader, invited us to her classroom presentation, some goats and trolls … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: When is the Right Time to Start Kids in Sports?
Jessica is back today discussing her parenting style when it comes to extracurricular activities. More specifically, her experience enrolling her son in a martial arts program at age 4. When and where to start enrolling your kids in activities has to be one of the most personal choices of parenting. There doesn't actually seem to be a lot of routinely recited advice on the topic (other than to always, always - Dear God, Always! - be weary of over-scheduling). So I love to see what other … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: Saying No to Tween TV
What's your parenting style when it comes to kids and TV ? It's so much more simple when your kids are really young isn't it? When you can turn on Sesame Street every once in a while and they're happy? Can't we just stay in this place forever? According to our parenting contributor, Jessica, no- no we cannot. But that doesn't mean we're without power. Here she is with her take on the dreaded "Tween TV". She's got some pretty strong feelings on the subject. I'm curious, what's your take? Is … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: Navigating The Eye Roll, Seven Years Early
With all the different parenting styles, it can be no joke figuring out how to discipline a toddler. Jessica is here today with our parenting section, newly re-named Parenting Styles, with some great insight on what to do when your toddler starts acting like a teenager. I read this great article the other day that was wildly reassuring to my future self, the one who's a mom of a teenage girl. It covered the many purposes that the ol’ eye roll serves in the life of an adolescent. And they … [Read more...]
Parenting: The Ongoing Lesson of Appreciation
When each of our four kids was born, we set up a savings account in their names. Every month, we toss in a bit of money – and I mean a bit, especially now that it’s split four ways – with the idea that one day, when they’re older, we’ll gift them each with whatever we’ve managed to put aside in their name. We haven’t thought out the particulars – maybe it’ll help them pay for their first car or part of a college education, or maybe we’ll just surprise them with it after graduation – but … [Read more...]
Parenting: When Modeling Good Behavior Backfires
It sounds like such a great parenting philosophy – modeling good behavior. Treat others as you want to be treated, and show those little hurricanes zooming around the house what it means to live consciously and kindly. Show them what it means to be patient, to be kind, to be generous. Show them how to have a healthy relationship with food and fitness and technology. Show them how to be a happy, healthy, functioning person. It’s what I strive for, and boy, I’m constantly falling short. I … [Read more...]
Parenting: The “Summer Baby” Kindergarten Conundrum
It's January and for many parents that means it's time to start thinking about school registration for next year. Jessica's back today with a parenting topic that strikes close to home for me- when to officially start your "summer baby" in school. Our middle child was born in July so we wrestled with this ourselves and were surprised by the factors that came into play... academic readiness and social readiness, definitely, as well as if kindergarten will be full day or half day. What it … [Read more...]
Parenting: The Santa Question
Image Credit: © Steve Wilson | santa-clause | CC by 2.0 I adore Christmas. I love the lights and the decorations, the music and the good cheer. I get all nostalgic about “the reason for the season,” lapsed Catholic that I am, and I especially love the whole notion of Santa, particularly through the wide eyes of our four kiddos. Really, it’s downright magical. But with an eight year old in the house, I’ve been thinking lately about what I’m going to say the day he stares up at me and … [Read more...]
Parenting: When Kids Dish Out (Your) Attitude
Image Credit: © Donnie Ray Jones | Elsa's Getting Mad | CC by 2.0 It’s a startling thing to see this whole parenting thing – specifically, your whole parenting thing – from the perspective of the kids you’re parenting. Kids are sponges, I know, but it turns out, their innate talent for picking up on your curse word slip (whoops) is the least of it. Our oldest son is eight, and our oldest daughter is six. And we are dealing with all kinds of attitude these days. I’m hip to the testing … [Read more...]
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