“Every day is a new day.”  That is what my son’s nursery school teacher said to a group of 3-4 year olds as they created a game on the hay bales and excluded one of their school mates.  The morning had just begun and already the children were thinking about the trouble they had in the past with their friend.  It took some explaining, but the children soon realized that everyone can start fresh, with a clean slate - there are no mistakes in this beautiful day!
My ds, at only …

Deep down you know that when you act better as a mom, your child behaves better too.  Despite your knowledge and awareness of this, you may still be trying to change your child’s misbehavior by over-using time-out, yelling out of frustration, or taking away privileges or just the opposite - allowing your child to misbehave and run the show!
The most effective discipline for the young child has to do with the self-education of the adults around the child. (Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, p 108)
In the Kingdom of Childhood, Rudolf Steiner …

One of the ways to help our children learn right from wrong and to reflect on the choices they made that day, is to reflect back with them how they handled situations that came up.  For example, my 2.5 year old is still learning how to take turns and to communicate his wants and needs without screeching and crying.  Today at his preschool Fall Festival he desperately wanted to ride in the wagon that two other children were riding.  I watched from across the yard as he clung to the …

As my daughter’s 6th birthday approaches at the end of this month, I’ve been pondering what gift to purchase that will stimulate her desire to play!  I’ve been reading Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer and it’s been wonderful to explore what kinds of toys engage a child’s imagination.  I am always inspired by the suggestions of simple things from nature and providing the kids with toys that they can manipulate.
For young children, boys and girls, dress up is an all-time favorite.  We have a basket filled with hats, accessories, …

We’ve heard of the “terrible 2s” but doesn’t it seem that 3 is much more challenging??
You’re not crazy.  It is certainly true that 2 year olds can be tough to take since many of them are just beginning to use words in full sentences and to finally be able to ask for what they want.  Two year olds want independence but they are also still wanting to be our baby.

I just had to share a personal triumph of how I went to the library with my almost six year old and my energetic 2.5 year old today without a hitch.  If you have been following my Mom Moments Newsletters and listening in to my parenting workshop calls (especially the one “No More Punishment: What To Do Instead), then you know that I recommend Lynne Reeves Griffin’s book, Negotiation Generation. 

This summer we have had a string of wonderful play dates for each of my children. There have definitely been play dates from H - E - double hockey sticks in the past. I reflected on what makes all of the difference. I came to the conclusion that it has to do with the other mom involved.

You may have read it. This month’s Mothering Magazine has a beautiful article about a mother’s new approach to the age-old time out discipline tool. I’m not crazy about what time out has become either. It’s the new spanking for our generation of moms. It’s become a tool to punish rather than to teach.

As a facilitator of the Virtues Project, a curriculum that helps parents see the amazing potential within their children, I am learning a new language to speak with my family! I want to invite you to try it out and let me know your thoughts about it.
It’s using the Language of Virtues. One of the most powerful ways we can shape our children’s behavior and bring out the best in them is to notice their character qualities and verbally acknowledge their positive actions. Unfortunately, we may be …

It’s so easy to think that a therapist or child development specialist or pediatrician or even your own personal parent coach is a perfect parent. I remember thinking in those pre-baby years that parenting would be a simple task - I mean, I had so much information and wasn’t it just about knowing what to do and then doing it?? This is where God’s sense of humor comes in. I have been very blessed to learn just what a craft and art parenting truly is from excellent …