All toddlers throw tantrums, but talk to your pediatrician if the tantrums happen more than three times a day, and if they last for more than 15 minutes. Your child may be feeling sick or uncomfortable (you'd throw tantrums too if you felt pain and didn't know how to say so) or may have behavioral issues. … [Read more...] about How do I know my child’s tantrums aren’t “normal”?
discipline
Why is spanking bad?
Studies show that kids who were strongly and frequently spanked developed self-esteem. But even if you only do it "sometimes" (and with a light hand) parenting expers believe that it's counterproductive. The goal of discipline is to replace an unwanted behavior with an acceptable one, and kids don't get that if all they remember is being hit. The more logical way of … [Read more...] about Why is spanking bad?
What is positive parenting?
Were you ever spanked as a child? Did you follow rules only because you were afraid of what your parents (or other authority figures, like teachers) would do or say? This type of discipline is based on fear and submission: do this, or else. However, many child development experts advocate a more effective approach called positive parenting. … [Read more...] about What is positive parenting?
What to do when your preschooler talks back
Children don't mean to be rude. They don't realize that some comments and behavior cross the line between being cute and funny, and being plain obnoxious. For example, they may have seen a cartoon character roll his eyes or shoot a witty comeback, and then tried to do that with you. Then they wonder why something that was perfectly okay on SpongeBob Square Pants has made Mommy … [Read more...] about What to do when your preschooler talks back
How strict should you be with your kids?
How strict should you be, as a parent? Should you closely monitor where your child goes and what friends he has, or should you step back and allow him to make his own mistakes? Should you insist that your 14-year-old daughter waits till college to have a boyfriend, or do you accept the 'new trends of the times' and even invite that boy she's been hanging out with to join you … [Read more...] about How strict should you be with your kids?