Today’s Boys and Babysitting
I have always counted on my older kids to take care of my toddler, and because I’m working from home now, that has become even more important. My 13-year-old son is saying he shouldn’t have to take care of his…
How to Stop the Squabbling
Like everyone else, we have been spending a lot of time together recently. My two kids (nine and twelve) fight with each other constantly. In the beginning, I separated them early and often, but really, that gave them exactly what…
Kindergarten Readiness and Career Choices
My son will turn five in September, and I can’t decide if he’s ready for kindergarten. Are there any solid indicators in your opinion? The most important skill for your child is not a skill, but a healthy state of…
Enhancing Your Child’s Body Image
Our 14-year-old son is built like me, thin and wiry, while my 12-year-old daughter is the picture of her father – stronger and heavier with very broad shoulders. Unfortunately, she’s getting unwanted attention about this from so-called friends and family…
When Your Baby is a Biter
My 2-year-old son is biting other toddlers at our childcare center and I don’t know where to start. Do you have recommendations to stop this behavior? Ouch! This hurts on many levels, doesn’t it? Thoughts swirl in our…
Parenting Through Gift Overload
Between our families, my wife and I have four sets of grandparents and three siblings on both sides. All of these people will be buying gifts for our two kids (ages six and eight), who are the only grandkids in…
6 Strategies to Maximize Mealtime
Time for dinner!” is a phrase uttered nightly in homes across the country. And in this hurried culture, it’s more important than ever to make time for meals enjoyed together. When I was a child, it wasn’t a choice; it…
Can Your Kids Be Pruned?
A friend of mine is what I call a pushover with her tween kids. It seems like she’s afraid to reign them in for some reason – like she’s worried about how they will respond. My oldest is seventeen, and…
Kids, Parents, and Phones at School?
My 12-year-old daughter is starting middle school and she just received a phone for her birthday. I have heard some schools have policies about keeping phones out of class or at least in the backpack, but I’m not sure about…
Navigating Temper Tantrums
My 4-year-old son is making a name for himself all over Richmond. He has had major meltdowns at the pool, the movie theater, and the grocery store. Do you have any guidance for handling temper tantrums? Welcome to parenting!…
