Every child eventually learns to use the potty. Every parent survives and moves onto a zillion other parenting successes. Somehow though, until success is guaranteed, the potty experience has the … Read more
Imagine yourself in the body and the mind of your potty-going child. Your child’s inner world looks and feels very different from the one you know. Sometimes your child gets … Read more
No one wakes up in the morning saying “today I’m going to suck”! Yet, every day we are inches away from an epic fail – saying exactly the wrong thing, … Read more
Halloween is one holiday that, if played “right”, gives children enormous power and excitement, not to mention the candy part. Yes, it just might be fun to be scared! No, … Read more
I believe in monsters! Because I believe in the children who see them, hear them, feel them! As parents, you can expect the monsters. Use books and pretend play to … Read more
Fear is inevitable in every child’s life, because children do not understand cause and effect. In child logic, darkness can “eat” a room and children can get “sucked down” bathtub … Read more
Everything grows from love – confidence, joy, resourcefulness, kindness, compassion, acceptance and peace. You convey brain-boosting love to your children every day in a million ways. Your messages “fill their … Read more
Magic in tantrums? Are you kidding? Any reasonable person would choose to avoid tantrums, prevent tantrums, stop tantrums as quickly as possible. Emotional meltdowns, whether they are colossal storms or … Read more
In high chairs everywhere, parents can see the depth and breadth of baby empathy – a profound ability to know that other people like different things and the insight to … Read more
Toddlers are motion and emotions, power plays and exponential growth. Toddlerhood is a stage unlike any other, with the possible exception of becoming a teenager. Actually, becoming a toddler is … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. No one wants to be the messenger of bad news, especially parents who want to create happy childhoods for innocent young children. However, childhood is more … Read more
Usually you see the first signs of potty training readiness on a Monday. By Friday, you are ready to work with your child and by Sunday, you will be celebrating. … Read more
Every action, every thought, every feeling is your child creating a self-portrait of who they are and what they need to grow. It’s up to us to see, hear and … Read more
Sharing is a very challenging concept for young children. Obviously, sharing is a social skill. Sharing, however, also requires complex emotional and cognitive skills that are not fully developed in … Read more
Endings and beginnings. Change – new ages-and-stages, new learning, new skills, new frustrations, new dreams, new challenges. Anticipation, celebration and uncertainty mark the transition from old to new. Each new … Read more
I’m the parent! I’m supposed to be in control! One of the biggest myths of parenthood is that parents are in control! You teach. You guide. You create routines, plans, … Read more
There’s an old proverb that you have to eat a pound of dirt before you die. Turns out that proverb has some wisdom behind it. According to the Hygiene Hypothesis, … Read more
Big, powerful emotions are inevitable as young children grow into thinking, feeling little people. When the world feels volatile, toddlers and preschoolers need emotionally reassuring grown-ups to help them to … Read more
What do young children “need” when they are bored, sleepy, sad or hungry? How about when they are angry, confused or excited? Kids do know what they need. Babies are … Read more
Babies are born with an innate personality that shapes how they learn, love and experience new people and new situations. As they grow, these personalities shape how each new developmental … Read more
Those “terrible two’s” got their name from the emotional Xtremes of being two. Of course it all starts at 18 months when your child first says “no” and “mine”. And, … Read more
“Stop!” “Be careful!” “Don’t do that!” “Watch out!” Imagine yourself test driving a brand new Porsche Carrera convertible (MSRP $102,930.00) onto a busy I95 while a very nervous passenger reminds … Read more
A one-size-potty-training plan does not fit all potty training situations. Your potty training experiences will be as unique as you and your child. Liberate yourself and your child from external … Read more
Toddlers feverishly defend their piece of the world like little tyrannical monarchs. “Mine! Mine! Mine! Don’t you dare ________.” Parents recoil in embarrassment. Onlookers shake their heads and wave judgmental … Read more
More toys? More things to buy? Not really necessary but supporting children’s play and learning is always worthwhile! Toys on any of the Family Time lists are merely ideas to … Read more
Holiday toy shopping lists…ugh! What do children really need? They need time, space, interesting objects that do interesting and various things depending on who is playing. Each child needs the … Read more
It’s that time again – the season of toy buying! It’s a time to be thoughtful about toys and gifts. Too much is too much because it encourages lack of … Read more
Play IS the work and the language of children. They become what they play so choose wonder, choose fun! Remember, the less a toy does, the more your child does. … Read more
Children’s friendships are unique. They flourish in the moment yet they change unpredictably. Young children’s social and emotional lives are intricately woven together. If a child is happy, friendships are … Read more
In order to be the best teacher and guide that your child needs, you must be able to handle anything your child throws at you — metaphorically, that is. You … Read more
Are girls all sugar and spice and everything nice? Not exactly. Sheryl Sandberg, author of Lean In and COO of Facebook, says “I want every little girl who’s told she’s … Read more
Toddlers and preschoolers are eager to grow and learn. Yet, they often experience clingy periods of neediness just before mastering new developmental challenges like walking, separation, and potty training. They … Read more
Back-to-school is often stressful for children, especially young children. Young children aren’t very good at feeling competent and masterful in new situations. Uh-oh….a new classroom! Where do I sit – … Read more
Alarms are ringing in the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Sleep Foundation (NSF): this is one sleep deprived nation. The … Read more
Setting limits is one of the hardest things parents have to do. And it doesn’t come naturally to most. It’s a learned skill that is acquired only after months, sometimes … Read more
Early childhood is prime time for encouraging optimism and resilience in children. Some researchers have even suggested that optimism, as an “explanatory style” in experiencing the world, may be established … Read more
I want children to grow to their fullest potential! To stretch! To reach for the sky! To discover the impossible is possible! To me, that means find the edges. The … Read more
Learning to play well with others is lifelong skill children learn in early childhood. Toddlers and preschoolers are learning how to express their needs, wants and preferences while accommodating a … Read more
Blue Birds, Busy Bees or Dancing Dolphins – Walk down the hallway of a typical preschool and you’ll see classroom names that inspire a sense of identity and belonging in … Read more
Children live in a media-rich world that’s dominantly visual. Media conditions children to focus on rapid-fire visual images. Parents and teachers want to cultivate a multi-sensory awareness. Tuning into sounds … Read more
Parents are protectors. They create safe, secure lives for little children to learn and grow. They tell stories about the world so that children may learn about danger and take … Read more
Kids, just like the busy grown-ups around them, live in a world of sensory overload. They are busier than ever, spending increasing amounts of time out of the home. Many … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. Toddlers and preschoolers are walking around with a great big new emotional life that doesn’t quite fit yet. When your child feels intense new emotions, you … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. Young children are learning math every day. They count fingers and toes and by rote to numbers that are older than mommy. They compare quantities large … Read more
Learning to play well with others is lifelong skill children learn in early childhood. Toddlers and preschoolers are learning how to express their needs, wants and preferences while accommodating a … Read more
Believe it or not, you can improve your child’s health and fitness, test scores, and social/emotional competence with one simple daily event. Numerous studies all tell us that the family … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. What goes up must come down. And so it is with children’s energy levels. Young children, however, do not always have the skills to ease down … Read more
Toddlers have spent the majority of their lives listening to words and finding optimal ways to communicate their wants and needs. Toddlers quickly discover the power of language, from their … Read more
Once upon a time there was a little boy, a brave and strong little boy. He wasn’t afraid of anything. He rode his bike as fast as lightning. He started … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, the owner of Family Time Coaching & Consulting Warning! Warning! The world is laughing entirely too little. First, the reports claimed it was the adults who had … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. Artists thrive in a studio of their own – a place to dream, experiment, and create. Atelier is the French word for an artist’s workshop. Your … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. Compassion and empathy are powerful feelings at any age. As adults, we have the ability to make a difference in the world by helping others. Imagine … Read more
Backpacks are a tell-tale sign that back-to-school is here. But like teddy bears and bedtime books, backpacks are not ordinary objects. A backpack gives your child magical power – the … Read more
Oh, the anguish of leaving a crying, confused, uncertain child in the hands of “stranger”, even when that “stranger” is a loving teacher reassuring you that “everything will be ok”. … Read more
We love toys and we really love playing!!! In our annual list of favorite toys, we try to find toys that engage children in the all-in fun of being a … Read more
Toy shopping is fun! It allows us to reconnect with play and silliness and hopefully to connect with what is unique and original in the children who will receive our … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. Think back to your childhood for just a minute and remember what you did during the holiday season. What was the weather like where you lived? … Read more
The visual effect of a mountain of presents is dramatic, filled with all the excitement of surprises and wishes fulfilled. Your heart glows when you hear your child “oooh” and … Read more
Question: Our 10-month old still does not sleep through the night. He goes down for bed at around 8:30 pm and wake up starving at 1 am. He will drink … Read more
Question: I have a 13-year-old and a 7-year-old that are at each others throats all the time. At first it was just arguing now it has progressed into hitting, kicking … Read more
Question: My 11-month-old daughter has been waking up at various times in the night for the past month. She has not been able to put herself back to sleep, without … Read more
Ahhhh, the unhurried play of playing alone with nowhere to be and no one telling you what to do! Solitary play is one of the mainstays of childhood – a … Read more
Question: My girl is 3 1/2 and she has been toilet trained for about 1 1/2 years about eight weeks ago she has started pooing her pants again. She doesn’t … Read more
Question: My wife and I have a home daycare one of our children has potty trained themselves into there diapers. We will put him on the potty during the times … Read more
Question: I need HELP. I have a two-year-old who seems very aggressive. She beats on her 8-year-old sister with whatever toy she may have in her hand at the time. … Read more
Question: My son is 4 1/2 years old and he is being disruptive at pre-school. He plays up in quiet time and sometimes hits other children or jumps on them. … Read more
Question: My son is almost three and he started pre-school a few weeks ago. He does well saying goodbye, but as soon as he steps into the classroom and I’m … Read more
Question: My 3 and a half year old does not speak at preschool, unless directly spoken to and often then only whispers or shrugs, nods, etc. Her teacher has expressed … Read more
Question: I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter who bites. She seem to bite her self and other childern. It doesn’t seem to be just one child it’s all.I … Read more
Question: Our just-turned 4 yr. old continues with defiance, “no!”, running from me, etc. I try to be consistent, use withdrawal of privileges,etc., but still having difficulties. A major problem, … Read more
Question: I’m a recent widow and have recently changed jobs and my son three-year-old son and I moved. My son has turned into a monster. He has never misbehaved…but all … Read more
Question: Dear Karen, I blame myself for this problem. My daughter is almost 12 years old and will not sleep in her own bed. She has never slept in her … Read more
Question: My son is 33 months old, but he is totally out of control. One day last week he awakened at 5 am and went to bed at 11:30pm, no … Read more
Question: I have a room I use both as guestroom (which has a daybed with trundle), and a playroom. The room is not large. What ideas do you have that … Read more
Question: My son only wants mommy. When Daddy tries to put him to bed, he tells him he wants Mommy. When we go somewhere where he doesn’t know everyone he … Read more
Question: At what age should a child be beginning to read? My daughter will be five in April and she is beginning to read, with assistance. Also, by what age … Read more
Question: My child, just under 2, stays with me during the day while I work from home…would she be better off to go to a day care part time for … Read more
Question: I have a 7 yr old daughter who has recently started doing the “sleep over” thing. At least.. trying. All of her friends seem to have no problem whatsoever … Read more
Question: Is there a certain age where it is better for a mom to go back to work? I have a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old and I am trying to … Read more
Question: We have recently moved. My daughter is only 15 minutes away from our old home, but the move required a new daycare facility. She is five. My husband has … Read more
Question: How can I get my 3 year old boy to stop sucking on his finger (versus his thumb). He sucks on it when he is tired or for security … Read more
Question: Please advise on any resource books for explaining the facts of life for a 10 year old and one for a five year old. K.H. Answer: There are many … Read more
Question: I have an 18-month-old. My question is in relationship to the things that he do. He shows good reasoning skills and other things for his age. He will use … Read more
Question: What are some positive approaches to discipline of a 5-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl. Is spanking ever an option? What is the best type of approaches when a … Read more
Question: My 27-month old son’s general disposition is calm, happy and secure. I know form speaking with other parents that I have it pretty easy and that he is about … Read more
Question: My daughter has recently started getting up at night and will only go back to sleep if a parent sleeps with her or if she is allowed to sleep … Read more
By Karen Deerwester, Ed.S. You’ve seen this year’s toy-buying lists in all the popular parenting magazines, age-by-age suggestions of must-have toys. Unfortunately these can lead to a houseful of forgettable … Read more
Question: Since the day my 4 month old’s umblical cord fell off and he has been ready to bathe. He screams the entire time, he hasn’t had a bad experience … Read more
Question: I am writing about my 12 month old daughter, Rhane. She has started whining very loudly until she gets what she wants and it is turning into a noisy … Read more
Question: What can I do about my three year old son? He is so hateful to my 11 month old. We do not know what to do. He will not … Read more
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