When a crying child is a sign of good parenting

My daughter was having a meltdown this afternoon when I picked her up from preschool. A friend had ‘taken’ a creation she had made – a plastic bottle and a tube of cardboard, and it had broken. The friend fixed the toy and gave it back to us, but the crying didn’t abate. I leaned…

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The respectful parent’s guide to surviving the holidays

Holidays are a time of family, friends, and passing on traditions to children. The songs, the sparkly celebration lights, families coming together – everything says that this is the most wonderful time of the year. And most of the time, it is. Although at other times it can be extremely stressful! If you have young…

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Why we feel the rage that mothers don’t talk about

The rage lives in my hands, rolls down my fingers clenching to fists. I want to hurt someone. I am tears and fury and violence. I want to scream and rip open pillows, toss chairs and punch walls. I want to see my destruction — feathers floating, overturned furniture, ragged holes in drywall. Minna Dubin, The Rage…

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The Your Parenting Mojo holiday survival guide!

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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An age-by-age guide to teaching your child to share

  Toddler 1: “Nooooooo, it’s mine!” Toddler 2: “I want it!” How many parents have ever heard that scenario? (I’d be surprised if any of you haven’t.) And how many parents are sick of hearing it? (I’d be surprised if any of you who have more than one child aren’t…)   Young children find sharing…

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