I’m working on a major new parenting show for the fall, called the Great Parenting Show. One of the first experts I contacted was Dr. Daniel Amen, because of his amazing work. He is a psychiatrist and physician, who has numerous popular books on the brain, and how to optimize this pivotal human organ. I [...]
Focus, Choice and a Dead Battery
I wrote a few weeks ago about how common it is for kids to get the message that they are bad (see post here). If you are guilty of this, it isn’t because that is what you want your kids to think, it’s just that it is easy to get stuck focusing on all the [...]
How to Set Your Family up for a Great Weekend or Summer Day
It is summertime! While this is a glorious time of year, it presents unique challenges for parents. All parents work, whether you are a stay-at-home, work-at-home parent or at the office. Summer, like weekends, presents many opportunities to connect with our kids, and often many conflicts with the work that still needs to be done! [...]
Great Parenting is Perfect Imperfection
Striving to be super mom has a powerful dark side, that includes angry moms, depressed and anxious moms, who are raising children without being able to meet their needs. The women who pull off a super mom image are those who are more realistic in their expectations of themselves, and more unconditional in their self-love and love for their family.
Father’s Day: Make it Memorable
As I read so many posts about what books to get dad, or what gadget, I’m struck by how superficial these gifts really are. Yes, he probably will appreciate a thoughtful object, whether a book he’d enjoy, or the latest electronic device. But how about giving him something that he can’t give himself? Everyone craves [...]
You Know You are a Super Mom on Steroids When…
On a radio interview the other day, I coined the term super moms on steroids. At least I haven’t heard anyone else use the term. It seems like a pretty apt description of what is happening on the playgrounds these days. The topic was how we hurt ourselves by trying to be the perfect parent. [...]
Beyond Praise: Building Character, Encouraging Positive Behavior and Increasing Resiliency
Because too much praise has a tendency to promote a focus on outward rewards, praise can undermine these very traits that we want to encourage. Often times, to do the right thing involves being able to behave based on our own internal beliefs and strength. Clearly the rampant problem with bullying and bystanders speaks to the fact that many kids are not developing their internal guidance system.
Praise is the New Criticism; How Hyper Parenting is Backfiring
A young college student said this powerful statement, "Praise is the new criticism," on a CBC special last night on Hyper Parenting. He went on to say that behind every praise is the expectation that the behavior will be repeated. I’ve taught for years that we have to be very careful with praise. This young [...]
Dads with Postpartum Depression, the Bipolar Battle of the Wife of one of Canada’s Former Prime Ministers, and a Common Cure
With Father’s Day coming in a few weeks, you may be especially interested to read that one in 10 fathers experience postpartum depression. Not only is this number much higher than many of us would have guessed, but the symptoms men are different than women, according to a new study. However, the subject does not [...]
Irreconcilable Differences, Part Two!
I received a lot of great feedback, both online and off, from my blog post about my husband and I’s irreconcilable differences. My own thinking on the subject deepened. It’s been exciting to see the great benefits for my marriage and family from what I’ve learned. First though, I’d like to clarify that our marriage [...]
