My children see hearts everywhere. Every time, I hear a "Mom? I [point at the heart] you!" I love you , too, my dear sweet ones.
I – you…
be the parent you want to be…
I often come across the question from others about what to do when you haven't parented according to your ideals. When posted on a parenting forum, there seems to be an overwhelming urge for others to tell the original poster that, "It's okay." They regal everyone with posts about their less than stellar moments and... Continue Reading →
monster bed…
When asked one time about sleeping arrangements with subsequent children, I shared with a group about our sleeping arrangements. We have a family bed, which at this time, includes two adults and four children. A young mother exclaimed how she would never have that many children in her bed. That is her perogative. It works... Continue Reading →
bedtime is relative…
We don't have a bedtime at our house. For us, bedtime is literally just the time someone goes to bed. There is no arbitrary time for us. We've encouraged our children to listen to their bodies and point out cues that we notice in order to help them recognize those signs that their bodies are... Continue Reading →
conflict…
Though conflict, we learn to establish healthy boundaries between ourselves and other people. Conflict provides an opportunity for growth and learning. This is true not only for children, but also for ourselves.
setting limits…
There is a difference between wanting to know the limits of another person's acceptance and of having another person set a limit on one's self. The difference is where the power lies. If we enforce our own limits, we exhibit self-control and encourage and enable our children to do the same. When we attempt to limit another person, we are attempting... Continue Reading →
should or could…
The word should is very negative. Its conditional nature breeds guilt and shame. Used about another person, it implies blame. Things we should have done are in the past and can't be changed. Things we should do in the future serve to set up guilt if we don't get them done. Acting how we should limits authenticity.... Continue Reading →
training daughters…
A coworker was relegating to my husband at work about an incident he had experienced with his teenage daughter the night before. He had been yelling at her for something when she said something he felt was in a disrepectful tone - backtalk, at which point he slapped her across the face hard. I can... Continue Reading →
take a deep breath…
Everyone tends to get frustrated at times. Our family is no exception. Whenever that happens, we remind each other, regardless of age, to take a deep breath. Taking a deep breath helps to calm us. The physical act of deeply filling one's lungs and exhaling reduces stress. When stressed, we breathe in short, shallow breaths; deep... Continue Reading →
positive direction…
Everyone likes to feel that they have a purpose in life. Generally speaking, people want to be helpful, needed, and a contributing member of society (or a family). Sometimes knowing how to go about that is difficult. It can be even more so when you are small and have seemingly little to offer. When this need... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 