Bottom line: children involved in household chores learn to share responsibilities, work within a team and become accountable. We taught our kids that we share everything in our home; “the fun…the love… and the DIRT!” However, most kids think it’s just a ploy to get the work done! Which is also true! But…..until they become the parent…this is how it works.
Family Chore Charts…Getting Things Done & Lessons learned!
May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The “NEW” Spring Cleaning
April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Today’s spring-cleaning is not the same today as in our mother and grandmothers’ day. Then the house was literally turned inside out with a schedule including, deep cleaning and polishing of all furniture, fresh wallpaper, painting, rug cleaning, fresh or new slipcovers, and more. If you do not recall all this fuss over winter’s ending, I am sure your elders have not too fond memories.
Increased Stress Puts More Teens at Risk
April 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Spot Early Signs of a Struggling Young Adult
Adolescence is difficult in the best of times. It’s doubly stressful for kids today; they’re experiencing the same worries and insecurities as adults in this troubled economy, and with far fewer coping skills. From families struggling with joblessness and foreclosure to increasing competition for college admissions to the normal fears associated with impending adulthood, they’re particularly vulnerable.
SUMMER IDEA – Summer tips you can work on at home
March 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Summer is just around the corner and its the perfect time to improve upon your child’s manners. During the school year, our schedules get so busy and our drive to ‘get it all done’ has us moving so fast, that there’s not much time left for teaching our children about good manners – and who has time? Between school, homework, extra curricular activities, and our social lives, it’s amazing we get anything done.
Rainy Day Activities!
March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
For those of us who live in “sunny” Southern California, dealing with winter weather is somewhat foreign. It doesn’t have to necessarily be warm outside, but if the weather is overcast or rainy I get depressed! I honestly think that I NEED sunshine. My kids feel the same way about being stuck inside. I think most kids do. Trapped. Suffocated. Bored. I totally get it!
Giving Your Child a Strong Foundation with PCIT
March 12, 2012 By 1 Comment
Children, like all of us, are motivated by positive attention and reciprocity in relationships. Positive feedback from our boss helps us to do our job better. A compliment from a friend or co-worker sets a positive mood for the whole day. A friend who listens to your experience of a bad day helps get you through it. As adults when we feel valued, important and good about ourselves we are motivated to be our best. The same is true for children. This is the foundation of the PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy) program.
Four Tips to Help Children Listen Better
March 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Few things make parents want to tear their hair out more than kids who don’t listen! It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle where you say things repeatedly and your kids don’t respond. The good news is that there are some simple strategies you can implement to help your children listen better.
Get the strategies!
Love, Marriage and Kids…How to Make it Work
February 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Let’s be honest. The relationship we have with our spouse is different than before we had children. Our time and energy is split, we have more responsibilities, and being intimate can sometimes feel like just another chore on the “To do list”.
Although it is true that our relationship is different, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive to make it better; to work on our intimacy and make time to enjoy each other’s company, like we used to…without the kids.
Top Five Birthday Party Themes for Kids in 2012
January 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
What’s popular among kids one year is usually totally unpopular the next year. Remember what a big deal silly bands were in 2010? Now silly bands are completely out of style. And think back to the 90s. Remember the overnight success of Beanie Babies? A few years after the Beanie Babies craze, kids lost interest. Nowadays, Beanie Babies aren’t even on the radar, even though they still exist. So, if you want to throw your child a themed birthday party this year, it’s important to know what kids are interested in. Here are five party themes that won’t disappoint your little one this year:
Child Home Safety Tips for 2012
January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
If there’s one thing that concerns new parents – okay, there are a million things – but if there’s one area that outshines the rest, it’s the safety of a child. There are plenty of things in the home to be concerned about when you bring home a baby, but it gets even worse as your kids begin to crawl, walk, and get into everything. So even if you outfit your entire place with bumpers and outlet covers, it won’t be long before your curious kids find new dangers around every corner. So if you’ve resolved to address safety concerns for your infants, toddlers, or older children in 2012, here are a few home safety tips you may want to consider.
Continue reading the home safety tips!
