The Gun Question
A few of my friends have said they won’t allow their children to play with toy guns of any kind. My 5-year-old son likes to play with guns, and it results in creative and imaginative play for him and his…
Homework Help and Bullied Kids
How do I help my kids with homework? They are eight and eleven, and at the same elementary school. They truly don’t have that much homework, but it’s a constant struggle at our house. This is such a good…
6 Parenting Resolutions from a Pro
Working with families over the years in my role as a parenting counselor and coach, several themes have become crystal clear. While I realize that simply reading it doesn’t make it so, I also believe some of us might benefit…
Can Kids Learn Gratitude?
I have watched kids in my extended family open birthday and Christmas presents over the years, and I don’t like what I’ve seen. My kids are still preschoolers, and I want them to be different. Do you have any strategies for helping…
Parenting Advice
My fifth-grade daughter is in with a new group of girls at her school. A few of these families have two homes. One of the mothers has asked me if my child can go with them on an expensive ski…
Patience in Parenting
My first-grader is not having an easy time learning to read. It seems like everyone in his class is making great strides, and he is struggling to the point of tears when he tries on his own at home. His…
Sibling Squabbling
We just spent a weekend with my brother’s family, and it broke my heart! His kids get along perfectly. What can I do about the perpetual fighting that goes on between my kids (ages seven, nine, and thirteen)? Our house is…
Should He Stay or Should He Go?
My twins will turn five at the end of this month. They are currently signed up for kindergarten in September, but I am concerned that my little boy is not ready. My daughter seems more prepared, but I still have…
Parenting Digital Teens
My 13-year-old is in an awkward phase, and her elementary school friends have left her behind as they continue to be on sports teams, which no longer interest her. She is spending a lot of time online, but it makes her…
Parenting Advice
I feel like my whole day at home with my 2-year-old revolves around food. What’s a good snacking strategy? Should I wait until he acts hungry, or schedule a time for a healthy snack? For a 2-year-old, food is a…
