Whether you are recently divorced or have been for some time, don't worry that you have ruined your child's life. You haven't. While divorce can be a big part of your child's life, what will determine their ultimate quality of life is still in the hands of each parent. Can children be affected negatively by... Read more »
Why do so many kids act entitled? No matter what they get—clothes, sneakers, toys, gadgets—they seem to want more and don't understand why they can't have it immediately. It can be incredibly frustrating when your child reacts with a bad attitude or acting-out behavior when you say 'no' to a request. You think to yourself:... Read more »
When someone has Oppositional Defiant Disorder, age is irrelevant. The sibling roles, even as adults, are ingrained after a lifetime of training. Both of my children are back home now -- my daughter having graduated from college and now working to pay off student loans, and my son working his way through school to avoid... Read more »
Recently, there have been several stories in the news about violence in children and what can—and should—be done about it. A five-year-old boy was taken out of his Kindergarten class in handcuffs in Indiana, and the same thing happened to a six-year-old girl in Louisiana. Talk shows and the news media have been hosting shows on... Read more »
This is the story of James Lehman, my husband, and my partner in changing the lives of thousands of parents and kids worldwide through The Total Transformation® program. His story is both incredible and common. It's a story of struggle, triumph and always looking forward to doing the next thing right. It's a story of hope. Imagine... Read more »
“I can’t take it anymore. My child is so disrespectful to me—especially in front of other people. I feel like a failure as a parent.” “My teen is failing three classes. She’s throwing her life away. I’m so worried about her I can’t sleep.” “My kid makes me crazy. He’s so angry and hardheaded. He always has... Read more »
Kasey* was a fifteen-year-old girl who arrived at my adolescent treatment center with a rap sheet and an attitude. She was beautiful, she came from a very wealthy family—and she was way out of control. When we met, I began to lay down the usual ground rules. Kasey, who towered over me, screamed, “F--- you,... Read more »
"It started out with my daughter yelling 'NO' whenever she didn't get her way when she was a toddler. Then when she got into elementary school, she started throwing things and slamming doors any time she didn't get what she wanted. I thought it was just a phase. Over time, it got to a point... Read more »
The documentary “Bully” follows the lives of five children who are the victims of verbal and physical cruelty at the hands of their fellow students—and it’s getting people to sit up and take notice of a problem that just seems to get more pervasive and toxic as the years go by. In spite of all of... Read more »
Recently I met a frazzled mom at a conference about special education. “I’m so worried about my 16-year old daughter,” she confided. “She is defiant, hates school and won’t let the teachers help her. She is really struggling.” As she went on literally wringing her hands, I finally had to ask her, “Does your daughter... Read more »