Friendship

The following is a look at what to do when you don't like your kid's friends: Recognize that forbidding friends can backfire on you: Kids have a tendency to do exactly the opposite of what you want them to do.... Continue reading "You Can't Pick Your Child's Friends, Or Can You?"

What you can do if you do not like your kid's friends? Many parents face the dilemma of a child choosing friends unwisely. So, here is how to handle it: 1. Never make a big deal out of it. Usually... Continue reading "When Your Child's Friend is A Bad Egg"

Playground cliques can be hard on kids in elementary school through high school, if you are on the outside looking in, it can be hard on their self esteem. As a parent, knowing what you can do to help your... Continue reading "Helping Your Child Fit In on the Playground"

Your tween probably has a lot to say, and can talk and talk. They will talk to you, to their friends, etc. They will use the phone, the Internet, texting, email, instant messaging, and more to communicate. Sometimes this communication... Continue reading "Keeping Your Tween's Talk Positive"

Gossip can be hurtful, and is not something parents want their child to perpetuate. So, what can you do as a parent to keep your tween's chatter from turning into gossip? One, set a rule against it. If you do... Continue reading "Chatter or Gossip: Your Child's Conversations"

If you want to keep your tween's chatter from turning to gossip there are a few things you can do: First, be the best example you can. From childhood, kids mimic what they see from their parents. When they are... Continue reading "Keeping Your Tween's Chatter from Turning into Gossip"

All of us love games, but most of us also love to go outside and play. We love the warm air and sunshine. Studies show that people are actually much happier when they spend time outdoors in the sun. We... Continue reading "Fun with Friends in Outdoor Games"

With so many extra curricular activities going on with our kids these days, it gets more and more difficult for them to find time to spend with friends. And anyone who is familiar with child development will attest to the... Continue reading "Best Times of Day for Playdate Scheduling"

Sharing toys is never easy for young children whether they have to share with siblings or friends. Playdates are a great place for children to learn and have the opportunity to share toys with friends and a great place for... Continue reading "Tips for Toy Sharing at Playdates"

One of the best parts about growing up (for a child anyway) is being able to invite friends over to the house to play. The difficult part about playing with friends, however, is that with conflicting schedules and so many... Continue reading "Tips for Making Playdates More Successful"

Providing snacks at playdates today has become somewhat trickier than it use to be. Some parents are alright with others providing snacks, others want to bring their own snacks, and then there are parents that have children who seem to... Continue reading "Playdates and Snacks"

Playing today has taken on an entirely different meaning. Children no longer play freely, up and down the block with one another. No, playdates are the way to have children interact and socialize with each other and some can be... Continue reading "Playdate Etiquette"

In today's society, playdates are becoming quite common. Most children don't have the time to just run out and play anymore so scheduling playdates is the popular thing to do. If you are new to the playdate world then there... Continue reading "Outside Playdate Guide"

Playdates have changed somewhat from the old fashioned days. Instead of children just knocking on doors and asking their friends to come and play, scheduled times are arranged for children to play together for a certain period of time. If... Continue reading "Inside Playdate Guide"

Just as adults don't always get along, toddlers and young children don't always play well together. You can, however, help prepare them for successful playdates with some thoughtful planning. Interacting with other children helps improve socials skills and gets them... Continue reading "How to Prepare Your Child for a Playdate"

When children spend time together it is almost impossible for them to go the whole time without a fight or argument breaking out. Whether they are toddlers or teenagers, being together with friends means that disagreements will inevitably occur. But... Continue reading "How to Handle Fighting During A Playdate"

Playdates have become much more sophisticated than they use to be. In fact having a "playdate" was practically unheard of. We have moved from allowing our children to roam the streets freely to busy and hectic schedules; parents carpooling children... Continue reading "Guide to Great Playdates"

Some parents believe the best time to get to know a child's friend is when they enter the adolescent years and are embarking on a independence and more freedom. Although this time is crucially important in knowing who your child... Continue reading "Why You Should Get to Know Your Child's Friend"

It seems that with busy schedules, responsibilities, and work that parents are finding less time to spend with their children. And what's even worse than that, is that they may not even know what their children are doing or where... Continue reading "Parent Involvement in Your Child's Social Life"

As children become more independent they begin to form relationships with friends, siblings, and other adults. Parent involvement in children's relationships is extremely important so children can model and learn appropriate and healthy relationships. Let's talk a little more about... Continue reading "Parent Involvement in Children's Relationships"

Most, if not all, children will tell you that the best part of their day is playing with friends during lunch, recess, or after school. Making friends is probably one of the most valuable things children can do as they... Continue reading "How to Be Involved in Your Child's Social Life"

All of our relationships are multi–faceted, meaning there are many dimensions. It does not really matter what type of relationship it is, love, or friendship, there are going to be dimensions that cause ups, downs, and sometimes lead to the... Continue reading "Relationship Dimensions"

The further you get in school the more difficult it will be not only to understand the subject matter but also to be able to handle the increased demands of different teachers, exams and projects. Now add to this increased... Continue reading "Tips For Staying On Top of Homework, Friends And Fun"