Step-parenting

Parenting tips

Step-parenting

Remarriage and step-parenting is often a very difficult adjustment for both children and their parents. The suggestions may help stepparents to ease the fears children feel about their new family structure. Be positive in your response. Be understanding of the fear behind the anger. Offer promise of warmth, friendship, and a special relationship that will [...]

Teasing

Teasing is a child-sized weapon used to gain attention, create a feeling of power and superiority, or hurt the opponent with out leaving visible scars. If the child being teased doesn’t seem bothered, then it’s OK to consider it harmless child behavior. Just ignore the behavior, or leave the room for a few minutes. Don’t [...]

What to do about name-calling

Kid’s who are called names are obviously hurt, but those who use name-calling to attack others are hurting themselves as well. For the benefit of both children, it’s best to be persistent in putting an end to name-calling. Avoid confronting the child in front of others and embarrassing him with a reprimand or lecture because [...]

Back Talk

Back talk is a natural part of growing up-another way of testing limits. If you can keep your sense of humor, backtalk will be just one more of those annoying things kids do, and not the end of the world. Who me? Does your child sound like anyone you know? Without meaning to, we can [...]

What to Do When a Sensitive Child Is Being Bullied

Children’s temperaments vary greatly. Some children seem to be more timid and passive while others are quite aggressive and may tend to bully the timid child. Some things you can do if your child is being bullied: Listen to your child and help her identify her feelings. Brainstorm with her about what she can do [...]

When Your Child is the Victim of a Bully

As much as you’d like to step in and solve the problem yourself, it’s probably in your child’s best interest to teach the child how to solve the problem. Once he’s learned the skills to stand up for himself, he can use them in other life situations. Teach your child how to respond to a [...]

What to do when your child is acting like a bully

At first you may want to blame the other kids or the adult who brought the information to your attention. You need to be honest with yourself to determine the truth in the situation. This will be the first step to help your child have more positive interactions with other children. Do not accuse your [...]

Conflict in Family Life

Conflict is a natural part of family life. Conflict can teach young children how to deal with other people, how feelings affect behavior and how to be assertive. Acknowledge your child’s feelings. Your children will not always get what they want in conflict but his/her feelings can always be recognized. Avoid personal attacks and global [...]

Coping with Conflict Between Children

“It’s not whether you have conflict in your life; it’s what you do with it.” —Tom Crum, The Magic of Conflict. It goes without saying that you should never have more children than you have car windows. —Erma Bombeck Any time children are together-at school or at home-there inevitably will be conflicts. Teachers and parents [...]

6 quick tips for managing conflict with your kids

Command. Give clear directions; be specific about what it is that you are asking your child to do. Humor or Surprise. Sometimes non-sarcastic humor or doing the unexpected can diffuse an explosive situation. Offer Choices. Give your child a choice between two options. “You can clean your room now or after supper, which do you [...]