Conversations

Is That Your Child or a Wild Animal?

This is a submission in our monthly contest. January’s theme is "Wild." Recently I took the kids to the local zoo. Yep, all three kiddies and me. We thought it would be a nice way to kick off summe...

Why Am I Apologizing For My Outgoing Toddler?

My kid scares people. Actually, she tends to terrify them. It happens almost everywhere we go and generally in the same sequence of events.

A Totally Employable Strategy for Keeping Your Kid's Room Tidy

Telling them they might suffocate under that pile of dress up clothes isn't as effective as you'd expect.

Date A Jerk – And Other Tips on Love for My Daughter

You will fall in love, more than once, in the years to come.

11 Ideals Great Teachers Employ That Also Work for Parents

There are at least two ways in which teaching and parenting are similar: Teaching styles and parenting styles both affect social, educational, and psychological outcomes. Both teachers and parents ...

The Birds, the Bees, and…Tiger Butts?

When she sleeps she looks exactly like she did when she was a tiny tot in her crib. How can she possibly be standing on the edge of puberty?

Can Your Myers-Briggs Type Affect How You Parent?

Know your strengths. And your weaknesses.

How to Survive Parenting With Your Polar Opposite

When I married my husband, I cherished our differences for what they signaled – compromise. Then we had kids.

5 Ways to Shield Your Kids From Your Anxiety

The more anxious you are, the more likely your children are to suffer from anxiety-related disorders.

3 Reasons to Stop Demonizing Our Teens Use of Screens

Parenting teenagers can be hard, especially when they are dealing with stuff that wasn’t even invented in our own teenagehood.

Uh oh. Did I Kill My Son’s Hamster?

“Mom, come quick! There’s something wrong with Champion!” We had just returned home late at night from an overnight visit with out-of-town friends when I heard my 12-year-old son, Tanner, call from...

Will Technology Make My Kid Fat, Dumb, and Mean?

The truth is more complicated -- and a lot less scary.

8 Things to Know About Breastfeeding a Tongue-tied Baby

You're both going to need some help.

Until He's Eight, Seven is the Best Age

At seven, we realize that we must let them grow up, much sooner than we’d like.

What You Can Do Now to Pave Your Kids' Path to College

And no, it doesn't involve winning the lottery.

Harnessing the Power of Yes (in a Jar)

Think about how many intentionally, or unintentionally, negative things you say to your kids daily. Are you offering six affirmations to counterbalance that?

When Time With Your Kids is Quality Over Quantity, Do This

Whether you're busy, divorced, distracted, or all three, there are still ways to make quality time with your kid.

Don't Let My Kid Fool You, She's No Perfect Angel

Have I noticed how well they share with others? I never have any words. I don’t because I can’t even force an answer.

The 20-Second Mascara Trick Every Mom Should Know

Because 20 seconds is generally all you've got.

Your Kid Probably Knows What "The F-Word" Means (And That's Ok)

The more context kids have for profanity, they better they are able to make informed decisions about whether to use it and, if they do, when and how.

When My Son Left the Nest and Took My Favorite Sofa

Just before entering graduate school at our state university, my son abandoned the nest and took our living room sofa. My wife, Shelley, had never liked the sofa — too big, too green, long as a bus...

Forget the Mom Tribe – Find Your Advisory Committee

Consult your Rolodex of subject-specific mentors.

Honesty is the Best Policy For Instilling Compassion

Feeling comes first from knowing.