Does your child mock or make fun of you? Mocking, imitating, and laughing at parents can be harmless fun, but it can also become an annoying behavior that undermines your authority. Some kids make a game of teasing their parents. There are two contexts in which kids can mock, imitate, or laugh at you. One is... Read more »
“I never suspected my nine-year-old daughter’s inability to concentrate was due to ADHD,” said Diane, the mother of three girls. “She isn’t ‘hyper’ or noisy—in fact, just the opposite. Kayla is the middle child—she’s quiet and tends to daydream a lot. We were frustrated because she couldn’t ever seem to concentrate or get her schoolwork... Read more »
Kids manipulate their parents. It’s part of their normal routine. They learn to use their charms and strengths to get their way and negotiate more power in the family. On the one hand, some forms of manipulation by kids are harmless. For example, if your daughter wants to go to a dance on a Saturday night,... Read more »
What are we responsible for as parents? And what should we—and our kids—consider to be privileges? And why have the two become so confused? It does seem like somewhere along the way, kids have gotten more entitled in their thinking. It’s not enough just to have the basics, they say they need it all. Now! Fast!... Read more »
Ever get stuck trying to give the right consequences to your young child or toddler? Remember, teaching accountability by giving consequences can start early, when your child is still small. In fact, it's one of the most important things you could ever teach them. The key is to do it in a manner appropriate for... Read more »
At EmpoweringParents.com, our online parent coaches love to cook and share recipes. This year's winning recipe comes courtesy of several of the parents we work with. We call it the "Recipe for Disaster" and it's being served in many homes this year: Ingredients 1 or more parents at wits' end 1 child with behavior problems, disrespect preferred Several judgmental... Read more »
When kids act out, they have an arsenal of backtalk they fire at you in order to put you on the defensive—a secret language that's designed to win them control and absolve them of responsibility. If you take those comments at face value—or take them to heart—you'll always be on the defensive, constantly reacting to... Read more »
You may already know the basics of custody etiquette—not dropping your child off late and no bad-mouthing your ex in front of your child. While these are important, there are many other unspoken guidelines you should know about for a smooth and happy shared custody experience. Whether you’re reaching an amicable agreement with your ex, or... Read more »
As the start of the school year approaches, have you seen your first grader go into meltdown mode at the mention of school, or watched your soon-to-be kindergartner regress back to baby talking and thumb sucking? Rest assured that you’re not alone. Each fall, millions of parents deal with their children’s beginning-of-the-year anxiety. For younger children... Read more »
As every parent knows, fights over bedtime can be one of the biggest power struggles you’ll have with your child, whether they’re five or fifteen. The truth is, many kids just don’t want to go to bed at night. For most of them, I think it’s because they’re afraid they’re going to miss something. With... Read more »