PARENTING ISSUES

When I was a child, it seemed like every adult in my zip code had an uncanny skill for making a “mountain out of a molehill.” In other words, of taking the smallest shred of negativity and amplifying all the tyranny and rottenness that shred of negativity may have implied. Before I go any further, let me give credit where credit is due. Exaggeration—the ability to weave a grand story out of next to nothing—is a very creative endeavor. It takes a keen eye, creative determination, and a lofty ability to wax poetic on all that is wrong.

By Talking Teenage, Jennifer A. Powell-Lunder, Psy.D., for GalTime.com 8 ways to focus on gratitude and giving back with kids  

So what are the chances that overt anger and power struggles between divorced parents won't be painful for the kids? Close to zip.

Hanukkah (or Chanukah or one of many other spellings) is a Jewish festival that comes around the time of Christmas.  Many people know it for the progressive lighting of the candles on its nine branched menorah, for latkes or potato pancakes, for gift giving, for singing and for dreidels.

By Dr. James G. Wellborn, for GalTime.com Like so many parental expectations and requirements, getting your kid in the habit of doing chores will help prepare them for the real world (if you can ever get them to move out).   Here are some of the most important benefits kids derive from assigned chores.   Responsibility (or “I’m not your maid!”)  

By Michele Borba, Ed.D., GalTime Parenting Pro No matter what time of year it is, how many toys are in the bin or how often we splurge on the big-ticket products kids think they must have, most parents want to believe we are raising our children to be centered and kind. But are all those times we give in and just buy the American Girl doll or giant Lego set adding up? Are our own spending habits modeling behavior we don't want kids to learn?

by Meg Akabas, for GalTime.com Surefire Ways to Help Your Kids Get Along “Mommy, Ava pushed me!”   “Jake is bothering me again!”     “Can’t you get Alex to stop annoying me, Dad?”

All children experience bullying.  If they are not the target of a bully, or engaging in   bullying behavior themselves, they will witness bullying and be affected by it.  As a witness, the child will either identify with the target and feel shame, fear, and vulnerability, or with the bully and be tempted to seek the status associated with the dominant bully.  

If you are a stepparent or entering a relationship where blending with the kids is important, there are important things to remember, especially during the holiday season. These suggestions may help you build a bridge of peace with the kids.

by Amy Hoglund, for GalTime.com How parents can work together better, even if they disagree You both want the best for your child. There’s only one problem; actually agreeing on what the “best” is.

There is a quiet despair among so many loving, smart, and deeply caring parents. They so desire to see their children manifest their greatness, to use their intensity well instead of having it go awry, and too often they see their best efforts to inspire respectful and responsible choices slip away to further levels of frustration.

Picture your child on the playground.  Is she involved with the other children, participating in the games and activities?  If not, do you wonder how you could help her to develop confidence and courage to overcome shyness? Discover Unique Ways To Build Confidence

We've all experienced it...the dreaded parenting guilt.  You blame yourself whenever you see your child fail or if they are unhappy or struggling.  You beat yourself up after you lose your cool when your child misbehaves, you wonder how you have failed your child when they come home with a bad test grade, and you are sure iti is your fault that your child hurt themselves when under your care.  There's always something to feel guilty about when you are a parent!

There are no secrets to being a ‘good’ parent. There are no truly “new” ideas out there. It’s all about a few basic principles: respect, responsibility, truth, flexibility, resilience, courage. Show it in words and actions so your kids know exactly how it looks and sounds. Those are the building blocks. Do them with greater and greater frequency and watch things change.

In this video, author, life coach and YourTango Expert Kiva Leatherman explains why your wife won't accept your offers to help with the kids.

by Josh Burrell, for GalTime.com   As the father of a son and a daughter, I have had the pleasure of experiencing many expected – and unexpected – milestones in my children’s lives. One of these milestones has always struck fear in me: potty training.