What to Do When Parents Disagree on Parenting

A smiling couple sits on a couch with their young child. The mother is holding the child while the father looks on attentively.

Key takeaways Parents may argue about parenting due to different childhood experiences, stress, and clashing parenting philosophies. The most common parenting disagreements are screen time, bedtime routines, food choices, homework expectations, discipline approaches, and conflicting parenting styles. Parenting arguments get stuck because of the “Four Horsemen” communication patterns: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling make resolution…

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55 Ways to Support, Encourage, and Celebrate Your Child Without Praise

a smiling woman in a white shirt and mint green apron with giraffe designs hugging a young girl with brown hair in pigtails. The child has her arms wrapped around the woman's neck

In a recent podcast episode called Does praise help or hurt your child? What research actually shows, I explored how praise can function as a subtle form of control that undermines our relationship with our children. While well-intentioned, praise often creates dependency on external validation rather than fostering genuine connection.   Below are practical alternatives…

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How to Foster Positive Sibling Relationships

An older child gently interacts with a baby sitting in a walker

Key takeaways Sibling relationships are important because they’re a child’s first peer relationship.  They set the foundation for all future social interactions, affecting development from risk behaviors to healthcare access. While many assume fighting is “just what siblings do,” constant conflict isn’t inevitable. Some anthropologists suggest sibling rivalry may even be a Euro-centric cultural invention.…

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