This last fall my son wanted to see the movie The Hunger Games. I had already read the book and knew the content. I wanted him to wait. Gradually, the report came back. Weekly, he ticked off each friend that had been allowed to see the movie. I decided he could see the movie, with conditions. He would watch it with me or his
The indoor soccer bleachers are a great place for me to get my weekly fix of some very favorite parent friends. Today, my friend Kathryn told me about “Does It Matter?” – something her son learned from his 6th grade teacher. She gave an example of how her son, during a game of kick-ball, got hit in the back with the ball after he
I have often caught myself using wants and needs with my son. “Zed, I need you to take out the trash,” or “I want you to stop playing that video game.” These statements seem pretty harmless. They will often jump start Zed into doing what I ask. However, by using want or need, it sounds like I want or need something personal for myself.
Help! My child won’t listen. My child refuses to do what I ask. I have to say things over and over and still she refuses. Many parents are in the habit of repetition when they ask their child to make a behavior change. Hence, the children may perceive that their parents are “demanding” or “nag all the time.” What to do when even the
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Aretha knew what she was singing about. She wasn’t asking for love. She wanted respect. I love my kid to pieces. But when Zed is not listening to my voice and chasing the dog with a paint brush in his hand and the model-airplane paint (permanent, of course) is now on my newly-redecorated kitchen cabinets, I will admit to not feeling so loving. Fortunately,
In a recent post, “Close the Distance,” I talk about the importance of literally closing the distance when communicating with one another. Beth Gillogly is a parent as well as Director of Sierra Foothills Music Together, an early childhood music program. She wrote the following comment: “I find that when I stop and connect with my daughter, eye to eye, the results are much
Not to be feared, those three special words: “I am Bored!” I love it when Zed says this. I know that just around the corner is something amazing – a new Lego creation, an invention, a game out of sticks and pine cones, or . . . ? So when I hear this childhood rant that paralyzes some parents, a little thrill runs through
Kids in Finland attend the least number of school hours in the developed world and get the best results. Why? Here are some key points in this video that give us an idea: Students start school at the age of 7. The idea is that at that age they will be itching to learn. Finland has a culture of valuing education. The first order
“Time’s up. Turn off your iPad,” I yell from the kitchen to another part of the house. “What, Mom?” my son yells back. “No more Minecraft!” I yell a little louder. “WHAT?” I am agitated now. He must be ignoring me. At full-throttle volume: “TURN IT OFF!” Has this ever happened to you? Daily, maybe? One of the biggest changes we made as a
The 3R’s of Positive Behavior is an excellent manual for educators. There are a lot of GREAT classroom techniques that can transfer to parenting as well. The 3Rs are Respect, Responsibility, and Reliability. If you like the idea of Thematic Parenting, this is a “Go-To” resource. This manual is written by my father, Gailen Keeling. I grew up with first-hand experience of many of
