Being Attuned to Your Distinctive Child

How to Let Your Child Know He is Distinctive How do you know you have a distinctive child? It’s because there’s an invisible thread between you and your child. This is because you know more than anyone what makes him distinctive. You know her strengths and special qualities. Does she know you know them?  …

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The New Silence Between Parents and Teenagers

The Old Days Between Parents and Teenagers Remember the old days, when you were younger, and parents and teenagers had some trouble communicating? Remember when teenagers went to high school, attended classes, socialized, went to after-school activities, visited with their friends and came home? In the afternoons and evenings, they might rush through dinner, close…

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“Bad Behavior” in Good Kids. How Come?

Why “Bad Behavior” From Kids Who Know What Parents’ Expect?  The phrase, “bad behavior” worries me because behavior is complex and has meaning. Children aren’t bad; they’re complicated. So, if a child speaks or acts in a negative way, he or she is not a bad child, but a distressed child.   Finding Meaning in…

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FAVORITE FAMILY VACATION RECIPE: STAYING HOME

Welcome to the July 2014 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Family Vacation This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared their family-travel tips, challenges, and delights. Please read to the end to find a list of links…

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When Resilient Kids Become Anxious Kids

Real Parents Have Resilience I often hear adults remark about their resilient kids when stressors mount. That’s always troubled me because depending on kids’ resilience when they are under stress can strain their cognitive and emotional strength and development.   Resilient kids can become anxious kids.   Premature Development If the pressures in their lives…

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“STAY-AT-HOME” AND “WORKING MOTHERS” UNITE

OUT DATED CONTROVERSY BETWEEN STAY-HOME MOTHERS” AND “WORKING MOTHERS” I’ve noticed lately that there still seems to be a controversy between what are referred to as “Stay-at- Home Mothers” and“Working Mothers.” Since all mothers work at child care, it is a very outdated conflict that needs to be removed from the annals of Motherhood literature…

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THE ANXIOUS MOTHERS CLUB

ANXIOUS MOTHERS FIND ANXIETY EXPRESSES ITSELF IN MANY WAYS   Anxious mothers are devoted to their children but their anxiety makes it difficult to provide the care they want to give. Anxiety can range from unsettling to overwhelming: general all-day-long nervousness, periodic panic attacks, fears, preoccupations, worries, chest pain, butterflies in your stomach, rapid breathing,…

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