“When you take a parent’s old discipline tools away, you need to replace them with new tools.” I made that comment during a TV interview many years ago for a documentary about child abuse from a parent’s perspective. I never wanted to hit my children like my parents did but I … [Read more...] about Choices Give Kids Power
Parenting Kids
Appreciate Children’s Efforts
Instructions are important, especially to children doing a chore for the first time. When I was about six years old we lived in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sand was everywhere; on our floors, in our shoes and in our beds. I took it on my own to sweep up the sand now and … [Read more...] about Appreciate Children’s Efforts
Family Camping
Our family was never big on the outdoors but as my children came along I realized we needed to get more active. We started going to parks, hiking and on nature walks. Since we were having such a great time with all our outdoor activities we took an even bigger step as a family … [Read more...] about Family Camping
Chores: Let Kids Do What Works
My grandmother Mur used to say, “There is more than one way to skin a cat,” and she was right. This past weekend I came up with a new way to do my work that will save me time. I was so pleased with myself that I thought about my father and wished he could see what I have … [Read more...] about Chores: Let Kids Do What Works
Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Cards and Peer Pressure
Peer pressure or pack mentality can stir up a lot of trouble for a child who would never think of breaking the law, hurting another person’s feelings or destroying property. A child who obeys parents and respects others may be emboldened to go against everything he knows on a … [Read more...] about Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Cards and Peer Pressure