What is the worst thing a parent can feel, in your opinion? I’ll give you a few seconds to think about that before I give you my answer. From my perspective, the worst thing a parent can feel is “hopeless.” This is when you're feeling like there's no hope for you, your child or your family... Read more »
"Being consistent is the hardest thing of all," many parents tell us. And it's so true—it’s easy to lay down a rule and then let it slide when you’re tired or in a hurry. In this article, Janet Lehman explains why consistency is the key to your child’s behavior—and tells you ways to keep on... Read more »
Does your child ignore your requests to clean his room? Does he seem unable or unwilling to do even the simplest household chores? How do you teach a child to be responsible without nagging and screaming? In addition to being a mom herself, Janet Lehman, MSW, is a social worker who successfully ran residential treatment... Read more »
Do you ever wonder if your rules are too strict—or too lenient? When is it time to reel your child back in, and how will you know when it's safe to loosen the reins a bit? Most importantly, is your child ready for more freedom and independence? Or are they showing clear signs that they're... Read more »
Have you been looking back on the last year, reflecting on how things went with your child? If so, perhaps you feel frustrated when you think about his or her behavior—and your reaction to it. Maybe you feel like no matter what you do as a parent, nothing changes. But understand that positive change can... Read more »
Kids grow up watching you for a living, and let’s face it, they learn pretty quickly how to push your buttons. It might be back talk, or constant complaining or eye-rolling, but whatever the behavior, nearly every parent will occasionally lose their temper with their kids. Many parents control their emotions most of the time. However,... Read more »
"My child misbehaves so much that I don't even know where to start!" This is one of the most common things we hear on the parent coaching team, and it's an understandable problem. Many parents tell me they feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and anxious when dealing with their child or teen's acting out behavior. They wonder... Read more »
Picture this: It’s late and getting later. Jessica was supposed to be home an hour ago and Marie, Jessica's mom, feels her blood pressure ratcheting upwards with every tick of the kitchen clock. Marie alternates between fear for her daughter’s safety, and anger at being late for curfew — again. When Jessica finally walks in... Read more »
The new year gives us a chance to pause and ask ourselves the big questions: “How am I doing? How can I improve?” If you’re a parent, perhaps you resolve to be a calmer one, a more consistent one, a stricter one, a more involved one. Maybe you’re thinking about the gap between the parent... Read more »
Establishing curfews, and holding your children to them, can often feel daunting, whether it’s because you know your child will challenge it or because you know you will experience some anxiety as you let your older teen stay out later as they get older. Here are 6 tips that will help you be more comfortable and... Read more »
