Here at Empowering Parents, we've received many messages from parents sharing sadness and disappointment over the way their kids have turned out. It's a subject we don't talk about very often, but it's one that really deserves some attention. In The Total Transformation Program, James Lehman talks about parenting the child you have rather than the... Read more »
Parents don't want to admit an ugly truth—that sometimes they don't like their child. If you feel this way and are scared, it's okay. Parenting is challenging and often emotional, especially when our kids are defiant, disrespectful, or not who we wanted them to be. We all have expectations for how our kids should grow... Read more »
Countless parents write to Empowering Parents and say, "I don't know how to make my child behave. He's out of control, and people blame me for his behavior. I feel guilty and ashamed most of the time and very alone. It's the worst feeling in the world." The truth is, you're not supposed to know... Read more »
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 »
You'd do anything for your child, but you feel guilty about admitting the truth, even to yourself. The truth is, sometimes you don't like your child very much. It's a secret that many parents of acting-out kids share but rarely confess to anyone. When parents say they don't like their child, I think that dislike almost... Read more »
I was in love with my baby before I ever met him. And when I first held him, my whole body flooded with love. He was an easy baby as long as he was with me, but any time I tried to do something without him, he cried. I thought it was a sign of... Read more »
With the holidays rapidly approaching, I find myself wondering how many parents are saying to themselves things like: “We spent big money just last year on a new PlayStation and now my son says he wants an Xbox! Why can’t he be happy with what he has?” “My daughter wants the new iPhone. I can’t... Read more »
Guilt and parenthood just seem to go together. Maybe you lost control and screamed at your child today. Or perhaps you’re struggling to give your kids enough. Or you might even be worrying that you’re doing too much for your child. Whatever the cause, most parents experience guilt regularly. I’ve talked with so many parents... Read more »
“My son got sent home from school again for fighting on the playground. I just can’t help feeling like if I was a better parent – if I hadn’t yelled so much when he was little, if I’d spent more time with him, if I’d been more consistent with consequences – that he wouldn’t be... Read more »
