Schedule / Routine
It always started with an explosion of whining before dinner time each night. As a parent I wanted to raise independent children, but I found myself in rut with a child who wanted everything done for him. Naturally, there was incessant whining. I would stand at the stove cooking potatoes, vegetables or [...]
toddler
Raising KidsThe Day I Quit Dinner Time Battles
Tall and skinny. Those are two words that perfectly describe our preschool-aged son. At 6 months old his weight dropped from the 60th percentile down to the 16th percentile. The nurses and doctors at the clinic expressed concern that perhaps he wasn’t getting enough to eat. Back then I was a new mom and this worried the [...]
20 Most Popular Toddler Stocking Stuffers for Under $10
Buying toddler stocking stuffers is one of my favorite things about the holiday season. Whether you gift a stocking stuffer for St. Nick or Christmas, these small and simple gifts can really make a toddler feel excited about the holiday season. Because our son was so young last Christmas, we really didn't buy him many gifts. post [...]
How to Stop a Power Struggle in Public without Bribing, Threatening or Yelling
I don’t know why a trip to the grocery store with my oldest always results in a public temper tantrum, but it does. For the longest time, he would exhibit something close to a mental breakdown over the kiddie shopping carts. Whomever invented those is the bane of my existence. My son is a strong-willed child, who struggles with [...]
2 Year-Old Sleep Schedule That Works Every Single Time
Let's face it, the right 2 year-old sleep schedule can take each family member's sleep and daily routine from completely off tilt to pleasant and enjoyable. That's because when 2 year-olds aren't happy, it tends to spill over into everyone else's emotional space. I remember when my daughter went through her 2 year old sleep [...]
One Simple Trick to Help Your Kids Fall Asleep Fast
My in-laws were recently here visiting us in Japan, which meant it was time for another round of our son sleeping in our room again. My husband and I had a whole plan of action ready to go. He would sleep in our bed. This seemed like a great idea, but I was secretly dreading it. I know some parents are great at co-sleeping and room [...]
What No One Tells You About Parenting Toddler Boys
I’m probably the last person who wants to make a distinction between parenting toddler boys versus girls. There are too many gender stereotypes that create foreshadowing in life. Boys play with trucks. Girls play with dolls. Boys wear blue. Girls wear pink. Boys are rough. Girls are gentle. Sometimes we use these [...]
How to Handle Back Talk and Disrespect Like a Parenting Warrior
Inside: Wondering how to handle back talk and disrespect at home? 3 simple steps will immediately shift how your approach, bring understanding and create peace. The back talk, disrespect and whining started the second he got into the car with me. “I’m not eating that!” he scowled. Apparently, the snack I brought [...]
Wish Your Kids Slept Later? This Mom Trick Will Change Your Life
Inside this post: Whether you have a school-aged, preschool-aged or toddler waking up too early, you’ll learn how much sleep kids need and how to use a kids wake up clock to stop kids from waking up too early. The first time it happened, my husband was deployed. At exactly 3:37 am my son was exactly 3 inches from my face. I [...]
Siblings fighting? Try This Magical Tip to Help Siblings Get Along
Inside this post: Helping siblings get along is easy with this one simple tip. It will stop sibling fighting and improve the relationship between parents and kids too. It started out the same way it always does—everything is going fine between the kids, and then, BAM, tears burst from every direction like a sprinkler on steroids. I’m [...]
