When parents buy a toy for their children, we have visions of happy, smiling children enjoying the toy. Ideally, all the children in one family will share toys, especially if it would be too expensive to buy one for each child. Too often though, children end up fighting over the … [Read more...] about Stop Children’s Fighting Over Toys
About Jackie Ramirez
Home Alone Tragedy: Five-Year-Old Left Alone
In late June five-year-old Brandajah Smith was taken off life-support machines after she was declared brain dead in New Orleans. Little Brandajah was left home alone by her mother who went to a neighborhood store to buy a few things. While playing alone, Brandajah found a loaded … [Read more...] about Home Alone Tragedy: Five-Year-Old Left Alone
The Powder Girls and My Little Brother
My younger brother Tony had not seen our mother for many years until I broke the news to him she was dying of cancer. He had been separated from his wife for a time but gathered his wife and daughter and made the eight-hour trip to our mother’s home. I waited anxiously with two … [Read more...] about The Powder Girls and My Little Brother
Bribery And Rewards: What’s The Difference?
Parents in my Parents Anonymous Group often discussed bribery and rewards but many confused the two. What exactly is the difference and why does it matter? HINT: Bribes are not planned beforehand and parents are pressured in the moment; rewards are usually planned by the … [Read more...] about Bribery And Rewards: What’s The Difference?
Blame & Shame
“You did it – it is your fault!” Many claim credit for positive things that occur; cleaning the bathroom mirror, feeding the dog or finding the answer to the riddle on page nine but nobody lays claim to anything negative. “I didn’t leave the milk sitting out!” “Those paper … [Read more...] about Blame & Shame
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to