How to Raise a Wild Child

By Jen Lumanlan | March 24, 2019

How do you feel about getting outdoors? Do you look forward to it and love every minute of it while you’re out? Or do you dread it…the cold (or heat, depending on where you are…), the bugs, the dirt (the dirt!)? And what about the endless questions that you don’t know how to answer: “What’s…

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Six Things Parents Should Teach (and Learn!) During Black History Month

By Jen Lumanlan | February 10, 2019

As a white parent, I feel very conflicted about wading into a debate about Black History Month.  Plenty of people have argued that we shouldn’t confine our study of Black history to just one month (and that it has failed to bring about any improvement in race relations, and it wasn’t intended for White people…

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How to talk with your child about Valentine’s Day (whether or not you celebrate!)

By Jen Lumanlan | January 28, 2019

It seems like every holiday has an aftermath when you’re a parent. Dressing up in costumes can be fun at Halloween, but then you have to deal with the negotiations over how much candy is too much candy. Our children receive gifts on their birthdays, but then we’re embarrassed when they refuse to thank the…

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Eight things you must consider before choosing a preschool

By Jen Lumanlan | January 14, 2019

Notes: This is a guest post from Evelyn Nichols M.Ed of Mighty Bambinis and explains the reasoning behind the questions found in the YPM Preschool Visit Checklist, which you can download and take with you on preschool tours – it’s relevant for children ages ~1-5. Also, check out the recently released podcast episode that explains…

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How (and why!) to set family goals

By Jen Lumanlan | December 30, 2018

The new year is (almost!) here and that means one thing: new year’s resolutions. Some 68 percent of us set a goal (though we often give them up, too), and most of us vow to eat healthier, exercise, and save (more) money.  But since 91 percent of Americans surveyed say that family is the most…

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The Your Parenting Mojo holiday survival guide!

By Jen Lumanlan | December 2, 2018

Everyone’s favorite time of the year is almost here: big family gatherings; beautiful holiday decorations; lots of delicious food… Everyone’s most stressful time of the year is almost here: big gatherings of family members with different political opinions; beautiful holiday decorations that need to be kept out of the toddler’s grasping hands; endless treats to…

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Q&A: How to stop using rewards to gain your child’s compliance (and what to do instead)

By Jen Lumanlan | October 23, 2018

  I hosted a webinar this week on how to stop using rewards to gain your child’s compliance, and judging by the number of people who showed up and how many questions they had, this is a hot-button topic.  Seems as though a lot of parents really want to find a better way to work…

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Why does parenting advice seem to change so often?

By Jen Lumanlan | October 7, 2018

by Jen Lumanlan of Your Parenting Mojo and Lee and Elise Procida of Parentifact     Only a few generations ago, it made sense to ignore expert parenting advice. Most of it was nonsense.   In the early 20th century, parents were instructed by books and manuals to always keep their childrens’ heads pointed north,…

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Five practical steps for parents to break the Kavanaugh cycle

By Jen Lumanlan | September 28, 2018

  (Photo credit: Saul Loeb) I don’t normally write political posts.  It’s not my expertise, and while four of my top five StrengthsFinder strengths are related to learning the fifth is Harmony, which means that while I enjoy a conversation about ideas, I can’t stand feeling attacked.  Political discussion just seems to often bring out…

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Social Exclusion: What to do when a child says "I never want to play with [Friend] again!"

By Jen Lumanlan | September 22, 2018

The new school year is now well underway; my daughter moved up to a new preschool class this year and we certainly seeing some changes. She’s in with the fours, fives, and some sixes now and relational aggression is rearing its ugly head.  Almost every day we’re hearing some version of “[Friend] said she didn’t…

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