Whether you’ve planned a laid-back vacation at the beach, or whether you’re expanding your child’s horizons with a trip to a new city or country, you know that new experiences and family time will be on the itinerary. As much fun as this can be for kids, keeping their schedule intact and setting the same expectations for their behavior as …
Showing Respect to Young Children: Four Practices to Consider
Parents are often very focused on directing their children so that they learn manners, kindness, thoughtfulness, and respect for the adults around them. And these are important lessons to learn. But a piece of the pie that is often missing is showing respect for your young child in order to model respectful behavior and to allow your child to feel …
Five Tips for Managing When Your Partner Goes Out of Town
Many parents know the sinking feeling that occurs when your spouse comes home at the end of the day to announce that they are taking a trip for work in a few weeks, leaving you home to watch the kids, make dinners, walk the dog, do the dishes, and, of course, do your own job. Following are some tips for …
Selecting the Right Extracurricular Activities for Your Child
The sheer quantity of activities your child can become involved in after daycare and on the weekends is staggering. From classics like swimming and ballet to newer favorites like STEM-oriented classes and yoga, there is a lot to choose from. Check out our suggestions on how to choose the right activities for your little one, and you may find yourself …
Navigating Transitions: Helping Young Children to Switch Gears
As an adult, making a transition from one activity to another feels like no big deal. It can be jarring the first time you realize that your little one has a very hard time moving from crayons to dinnertime or from brushing teeth to using the potty. Kids have a tough time with transitions both at home and at daycare. …
Making Drop-off and Pick-up Smooth for Your Child and You!
How much thought have you given to your child’s daycare drop-off and pick-up each day? The way you part with your child in the morning and the way you reunite in the evening can make a big difference when it comes to your child’s day. How to Make Drop-off a Breeze: Prepare the night before by picking out and laying …
Five Strategies for Being a Productive Work-at-Home Parent
No commute? No gratuitous meetings? Being a work-at-home parent can cut down on a tremendous amount of stress and can actually boost your productivity! But there are some common mistakes that many work-at-home parents make, and our five strategies can help you to avoid them and become as efficient as possible, even from home. Create a Schedule Think about your …
Fostering a Love for Animals in Your Young Child
Young children who develop a loving and positive relationship with animals grow up with a more developed sense of kindness, empathy, and consideration. You don’t necessarily need to have a couple of family dogs or a beloved cat in order for your child to feel positively toward animals. There are many ways to incorporate animals into your child’s life. Here …
What Does “Typical” Look Like? Monitoring Your Child’s Speech Development
Many parents wait eagerly for those first words, for more fluid communication with their child, and for those early adorable phrases and mispronunciations. Along with that eagerness can come some concern. Is my child learning to speak and communicate at a typical pace? There are general guidelines that will help you to identify possible concerns, but remember to review your …
Raising Kind, Generous, and Respectful Kids: Five Key Tips
Attention to kindness and thoughtful behavior is essential to raising a child with strong moral character. While parents rightfully focus on academic achievement, physical fitness, and an interest in arts, music, and language learning, kindness is often overlooked, but should be practiced consistently by kids and their parents in order for children to truly learn what it means to be …