If a parent punishes a child, what does a child learn from that? ‘Punishment’ is a very ugly word and I wish parents would take that word, write it down on a sheet of paper, then wad it up and throw it in the trash because that is where it belongs. The word itself feels heavy … [Read more...] about Toss Punishment – Keep Discipline
Parenting Kids
Fear As A Parenting Tool
In Parents Anonymous, we talk about parenting tools, fear isn't one of them. “You better get it done before I get back!” “I better not hear of you monkeying around in school!” “You better not iron clothes sitting down!” “You better bring those grades up or we’ll mix!” “If … [Read more...] about Fear As A Parenting Tool
Validation Is A Valuable Gift – If You Get It
If your children were magically put in charge of you, how would they treat you? Many years ago I attended a workshop at the Parents Anonymous conference and, as always, I was ready to have fun. I met parents and facilitators from other groups across New Jersey and learned more … [Read more...] about Validation Is A Valuable Gift – If You Get It
Nightmare Solutions For Children
Nightmares have frightened us all at different times in our lives and that is as normal as waking up in the morning. From what we know now, nightmares can occur as early as one year of age. Reassurance and being responsive to a child’s needs can go a long way to helping them to … [Read more...] about Nightmare Solutions For Children
Thanksgiving at Age Six
When children are little, the holidays all seem to run together somehow. Looking back, I was a pretty scrawny kid at six and my older brother was two-years larger than me. We lived with our parents in an 8-foot by 45-foot trailer in Daytona Beach, Florida, two blocks from the … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving at Age Six
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to