Why You SHOULD Talk To Your Kids About Death

Why You SHOULD Talk To Your Kids About Death

As a parent educator, I rarely use the word should. Matter of fact, I cringe at the idea of giving parents one more SHOULD; almost as much as many parents cringe at the idea of talking to their kids about death. After a spate of violence and random death in Seattle, I realized how few parents discuss the topic of death with their children before they are forced to. This is where the SHOULD comes in. We should because it will help our children and ourselves move through the pain of loss just a little bit easier. For those of us who have lost loved ones, even the tiniest bit easier is worth it.

The Business of Parenting: Great Leaders in the Home

The Business of Parenting: Great Leaders in the Home

How many of you feel confident in the workplace only to melt in to a pile of frustration and fear when in comes to parenting? Why do high functioning managers who lead successful teams come home and turn into autocrats or doormats to their children?

Keep Halloween Happy by Planning Ahead!

Keep Halloween Happy by Planning Ahead!

Halloween is on the way! Have you made a plan with your children for helping them celebrate without turning in to monsters? Often our best parenting comes when we think ahead and involve our children in the discussion. Here's three tips to help your family enjoy the day:

Why Time Outs Don't Work & What To Do Instead

Why Time Outs Don't Work & What To Do Instead

Imagine this. You are about to leave for work and your partner says, “I cannot believe you left your towel on the floor again! I am so angry and frustrated with you, go sit in your room and think about it until I tell you that you can come out.” What would you be thinking, feeling and deciding about your partner and your relationship?

Why We Love PEPS Program for Early Parent Support

Why We Love PEPS Program for Early Parent Support

Seattle area families are fortunate to have an amazing parent support program that starts when your baby arrives! Ask parents in the area what they should do to get ready for baby, and many will immediately say, "Call PEPS!"

Compassion Starts With You: Five Ways to Model Compassion in Daily Life

Compassion Starts With You: Five Ways to Model Compassion in Daily Life

We just finished our first full week of the school year, and like many families, the transition has not been smooth. No matter how much we stick to routines during the summer, keep early bedtimes, and discuss and plan for the new year, we often find ourselves hanging on for the wild ride that ensues during these early weeks. By Friday night, I felt as if I deserved a medal for just surviving, and flipping my lid just a wee bit less than I might have.

Saying Sorry

Saying Sorry

On occasion, we answer reader questions on our blog. We choose questions based on the issues we frequently hear about from families we work with. In today’s post, I answer a parent’s question about how to get her child to apologize.

Big Sister/Brother Boot Camp: 10 Tips For Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling

Big Sister/Brother Boot Camp: 10 Tips For Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling

Is baby number two, three or four on the way? While this is exciting news, many parents wonder how their existing child or children will adjust to the changes ahead. With some thought and planning, we can ease this transition for the whole family. Here are ten tips for helping your current kiddos get ready for their starring role as big brother or sister.

A Parenting Recipe For Raising Healthy Eaters

A Parenting Recipe For Raising Healthy Eaters

“What’s for dinner?” “Ugh, I hate green beans!” “Can I have dessert yet?” “I’m not hungry (but I will be as soon as you clear the table)”…the list of mealtime complaints can go on and on. Not to mention the mayhem that may ensue before your little one can even talk. Not many parents can forget the frustration of thrown food, the mess of the yogurt in the hair, or the game of “watch mommy pick up my bagel over and over again.”

Long-term Parenting: Destination Ahead

Long-term Parenting: Destination Ahead

Today’s post is the third in a three part series on long-term parenting. The first post explored the idea of long-term parenting and the second post offered tools for widening your parenting lens. Today’s post offers specific tools to help move your family toward your goals.

Long-Term Parenting: Broaden Your Horizon

Long-Term Parenting: Broaden Your Horizon

Facing the challenges of daily life, we often get stuck in whatever our current parenting struggle is. It can be quite overwhelming to face some of the wacky behaviors our little cuties present us with. We think to ourselves that if we don't handle this issue perfectly and right away, we are going to screw our kids up, we are failures as parents, their behavior is our fault, they are going to have a meltdown, and so am I!

Cabin Fever!

Cabin Fever!

If you are in the Seattle area, you have most likely been home all week with the kiddos. You may have had a brief break on Tuesday when school started two hours late and ended two hours early, but besides that, most of us have been home since the snow came on Sunday. I have been reflecting lately on how the sheer joy of a snow day as a child can turn us into grumpy parents, wondering when life can get back to normal. So four days in to our Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon or whatever you want to call it, let’s help each other out. Here's 5 indoor activities using things many of us have in the house to help entertain the wee ones. Then it's your turn!