A boy in my son’s preschool said some nasty comments to him this morning. I knew it was just a power play by an older kid who craves attention, but I became enraged and then sad.
This was not the first time I witnessed children making other kids feel less than, but since the election this type of hurtful language has been validated. It is no surprise that bullying in the aftermath of the election has risen.
Like many, I cried the day following the election. Like many, I felt scared and confused about issues I valued, about rights that would be taken away from myself and others. But even more than those issues, I cried because the election result made me feel that my fellow Americans were laughing in the face of my parenting values; spitting in the face of the thousands of parents who dedicate so much time and energy raising kids with empathy, compassion, resilience, and confidence. America is not just divided on politics, we’re divided on how we want to raise our children – the future of this country.
The morning after Trump’s win, I posted this message on Facebook: “We are still the teachers to our children. The ones who model right and wrong, show them how to treat others, and how to be empathetic. We may need to try a little harder now.”
So how do we teach our kids about right and wrong? How do we teach them to be empathetic but also to stand up to mean kids?

​Read the rest of this article at Parent.co.

Most toddlers go through periods where they’re trying out new behaviors to test your reaction. Our instinct as parents is to tell them “no” and to stop the behavior immediately, either because we think it’s wrong or other people think it’s wrong and we’re embarrassed in public.
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The more you tell a kid that their behavior is wrong, the more they want to do it. After all, they’re getting a reaction from you – which is all they really want. To change the behavior, you need to connect with your child and shift the “bad” behavior into a fun and silly behavior.

Screaming
 If your child likes to scream loudly and this is bothersome to you because you’re in a public place or because it simply hurts your ears, teach your child to scream with no sound. Together, open your mouths really wide as if you are screaming but teach him or her to be silent. Silent screams are silly to kids and you can do this together.

Hitting parents or siblings
If your child goes through a hitting phrase as many kids do, you can suggest that instead of hitting, your child tickles you in the chin and when they do, you let out a huge laugh. Toddlers will find this hilarious and it is a redirection from hitting and a way for you to connect instead of reprimand.
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Find out how to change your child's 7 most annoying behaviors on Parent.co.

So, you've finally decided your child is ready to be out of diapers? Congratulations! Using the toilet is an important skill that further develops your child’s independence and increases their confidence. The purpose of toilet training is to teach your children how to recognize the sensation they feel in their body before they need to use the toilet. The most important thing to remember is that potty training is a process and your child will have accidents, but stick to this method and your child will be using the potty consistently in just three days.

Is Your Child Ready?

​Before deciding to take the leap and potty train, you should get your child familiar with using the toilet. Let your child come with you to the bathroom and show him what big boys and girls do. Most kids are excited to learn about bathroom etiquette. Show them how toilet flushing works and how to wash their hands. Does your child seem excited to use the potty? The three-day method will only work if your child is on board, so look for signs of readiness and excitement, such as your child telling you when he has to pee or poop, asking you to use the potty, or feeling bothered by a dirty diaper.

Read the rest of the potty training tips on Verywell

As parents and caregivers, it is our role to protect our children and teach them about the world. So, what should parents and caregivers tell kids when tragic events occur? How can parents comfort kids when they also feel scared and lost?The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents, teachers and child care providers to filter information about the tragedy and present it in a way that their child can understand and cope with.

​Read the rest of the article on Verywell.

Most parents will tell you that the most important part of raising a kid is that their child finds happiness. So what makes children happy? One of the top things that make both adults and children happy is having meaningful relationships. The happiest people spend time with people they love including family, partners or friends. Spending quality time with loved ones fulfills two basic human needs: 1.
the need for social connections with others and 2. the need for personal growth which makes us feel fully alive.
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Children model their parents and learn from their parent's verbal and non-verbal communication. It is your job as a parent to teach your child how to react to situations and how to treat others. One way for parents to help children make friends and foster meaningful relationships is to parent according to the lessons in Dale Carnegie’s book, How To Win Friends and Influence People.

Learn the 7 ways on Verywell.

It is 8am and you put on your shoes to leave for work; you grab your coat to go out to dinner; you zipper your suitcase to catch a flight for a work conference; or you simply get up from the couch to go the bathroom. Your child becomes hysterical. Crying, screaming, clinging to your leg. Begging you not to leave.  

Most parents have experienced this scenario in some form. You need to leave your child with a caregiver (or another parent), but you can't help feeling sad and guilty leaving your child in hysterics. Maybe you even feel a little embarrassed in front of the sitter or another family member. This situation is stressful and upsetting for parents. 

Below are some tips and other useful information to help parents ease the problem of the dreaded goodbye meltdown. 

The Behavior is Normal
As sad as you may feel watching your child cry, it is important to remember that your child's behavior is normal. Separation anxiety starts as early as 8 months. It is at this time that young children can understand that parents are separate individuals and can leave. However young children cannot yet grasp the concept that a parent will return. It is your job to help them understand that parents come back.

Introduce Other Caregivers
The first step to easing separation in children is introducing other caregivers. By the time your child is 6 months, parents should introduce other caregivers so the child can practice being without the parent. Another caregiver will act and speak differently than the parent. Being around other caregivers will minimize separation anxiety when the child goes to school or other times when the parent is not around.

Read the rest of this article at Verywell.

Does your child engage in rule-breaking, sabotage themselves or others, or act aggressively in front of you, but behaves like an angel with a nanny, sitter or teacher? This can be very frustrating and confusing for parents. There are a few reasons why your child may be misbehaving for you but not a sitter or teacher:

Unmet Needs
Children may misbehave because of an unmet need. Parents deal with daily stress, undoubtedly lose patience and sometimes do not take the time to listen to what children are asking. Many times parents ignore their children. Parents are too busy or say “no” because they are dealing with their own adult problems. If parents take the time to listen to their children's request, they will most likely will see that the request is simple and reasonable. Giving into the request will not hurt the parent; it will only strengthen the parent/child relationship by instilling confidence in the child and showing them they can rely on their parent to meet their needs. 

Read the rest of this article at Verywell.

Do you dread getting your kids out the door in the morning? Are your weekday mornings filled with kids throwing clothes, refusing to eat and begging to watch tv?  Don't worry...you are not alone!

Getting your children out the door in the morning can be a major challenge for parents. By 8am, parents are left feeling stressed, tired and angry. Sticking to a routine and prepping the night before can save a lot of time and stress, but for many parents, it is impossible to get out the door without nagging and yelling. Here are six ideas that will make getting ready in the morning a more positive experience and will also get everyone out the door on time.

1. Music Playlist. Create a playlist of your childs favorite songs. Every task (use the bathroom, get dressed, eat breakfast) is connected to one song and must be completed by the time the song is over. Your kids will happily sing along; just make sure they don't get distracted having a dance party.

To read the next 5 ideas ideas, go to Verywell.

Does this popular question, asked by everyone from family members to supermarket strangers, make you feel like something is wrong with your child? 

Read my article on Mommybites which  explains why "The baby’s development is not the problem – our society is."