The Center For Parenting Education

Families with young children can feel pressure to honor both their own mothers on Mother's Day. In the process, they may ignore the need to recognize all the efforts the mom is putting forth to raise their own children. We hope you can find a way to acknowledge all you do - perhaps you can have your own special day on a different date to do something you would like and when your family can focus on you. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

A younger brother walked into the room and suddenly began to complain that his older sister had MORE of something. She wisely suggested that they count how many they each had. It turned out that he actually had more.

This often happens with kids. They have a gut reaction that they are not getting their fair share. It often has nothing to do with the reality.

Read ways to respond when kids say, "It's Not Fair!" http://ow.ly/e8uC30cI4GP

How Parents Can Respond to "That's Not Fair" "That's Not Fair" - a common cry of children. By responding that fair does not mean equal, you teach your kids that fair means meeting each person's needs.

Parenting Principle: Overgiving to children (or to anyone) can be as detrimental as undergiving. Being given too much, more than one deserves, can make a person feel confused, unnecessarily indebted or guilty. It can make it hard for a person to know how much to give back. By Diane Wagenhals

The Center For Parenting Education updated their address.

If you have a child who gets upset easily, you'll need to balance being understanding of his feelings with helping him to move on and find ways to cope with the situation. This will help him to be resilient. Learn more about the temperament trait of emotional sensitivity: http://ow.ly/oySD30c9yzA

Understanding Temperament: Emotional Sensitivity Emotional sensitivity exists on a continuum and refers to how easily or intensely a child responds emotionally to his own feelings and to others' feelings.

Parenting Principle: A child may be doing things that are developmentally healthy and necessary, but that may still make for very difficult family times.

By Diane Wagenhals

What do parenting and a TV commercial have in common? So much of both involves how you present an idea. For example, if you only want your child to have 1/2 a cookie, do you tell them "Here is half a cookie. That is all you get." This practically begs them to protest. OR do you say as you hand them the half, "Here is a cookie. I hope you enjoy it." Presenting things in a positive light often reduces conflict.

Viewing is not the same as doing. Here are 6 ways to help your children become smarter consumers of media - and maybe become more active in the process: http://ow.ly/HX0f30cbWZ6

The Impact of Screen Time for Kids Over-use of screen time for kids has significant impact on their developing brains. Learn easy steps you can take to avoid these problems.

Even if your child is not a direct player in the a bullying drama, he may still may be traumatized by viewing the incident. He may worry that he is next to be picked on, feel helpless to protect the victim, or guilty that he did not do more. Learn about the important role bystanders can play: http://ow.ly/mNfe30cquTK

An Untapped Secret Force to Stop Bullying Bullying has become epidemic. You can help decrease its incidence by teaching your children to take a stand against cruel behavior when they see it.

Do you see your daughter as an athlete one day and a thespian the next? In order for kids to figure out who they are, they need to try on different roles to see which ones "fit" them best. This is part of the process of growing up and finding their identity. Allow them to experiment and enjoy all the different aspects of their personalities.

We often raise our children how we were raised - for better or worse. It can leave us without a clear road map of how we ideally want to raise our children. However, with a little effort, awareness, and knowledge, we can find a new way. Read "It is Never Too Late to have a Happy Childhood - Breaking the Cycle of Uneven Parenting": http://ow.ly/UCTk30bqNuu

It's Never too Late to Have a Happy Childhood You don't have to repeat unhealthy parenting from your own childhood with your children. You can give your children the happy childhood you may have missed.

Ever hear of the concept of the "good enough" parent? Many parents think they need to be perfect in order for their children to grow up well. But kids actually do better when their lives are not 100% perfect. Learn how to be "good enough" -http://ow.ly/INyp30bDnqb

The Perfect Parent Myth Many people are believe that they can be "perfect" parents. The truth is the perfect parent myth exists. Learn to be "good enough" and be kind to yourself.

Parenting Principle: Growth is a process and not an event. It can take a child (and adults) weeks, months, even years to work through a stage, complete a task, grow to being at a new and more mature place. This means parents need to give children long stretches of growth time, sometimes patiently repeating the same corrective behavior, saying the same socializing phrase hundreds, even thousands of times, before the child is ready to grow into the next stage or task.

By Diane Wagenhals

Even before you become a parent, you have an image of what your child will be like and what type of parent you will be throughout your parenting journey. But life often throws curve balls, and reality may not match your expectation. When this happens, you need to let go of the image, mourn the loss, and accept reality. Only then can you find the good in what you do have; you may end up in a very different place but it may be one that offers great joy.

Here's a great resource to understand your children's common fears and anxiety. It includes the reasons for each and how to manage them. http://ow.ly/p0sA30bwSqO

Fear and Anxiety - The Reasons for Each and How to Manage Them It is very normal for all children to have specific fears at some point in their childhood. Even the bravest of hearts beat right up against their edges sometimes.

Parenting Principle: There is no material item in one's house or in the world that is worth as much as a child's self-esteem.

By Diane Wagnehals

When your children are little, you may wonder if you really need to worry about following through on every safety rule. After all, it may be cute when your toddler jumps off the back of the sofa. Is it really such a big deal? The answer for now may be "no," but think about the future.

If they learn that you mean business when they are little, they are much more likely to take you seriously when the stakes are a lot higher - such as, not riding their bicycle in the street, not going off with strangers, not drinking and driving, not taking other people's medication . . .

There is a fine line between helping your children and doing so much for them that you undermine their belief in their own abilities. For example, your child may get an "A" on a school project, but may not feel any sense of accomplishment if you were too involved in it because she does not view it as her own work. Read more about over-indulgence: http://ow.ly/wRI030c0mne

Instilling an Attitude of Gratitude: How to Avoid Overindulgence Overindulgence can fall into three main categories. Learn why children may appear "spoiled" and what parents can do to increase gratitude and appreciation.

According to Harvard Psychologists, parents who raise "good" kids do 5 very important and basic things with their kids. Find out what they are and how you can put them into practice: http://ow.ly/OiTe30aLrST

According To Harvard Psychologists: Parents Who Raise Good Kids Do These 5 Things Times have changed greatly and with new times come new habits, sets of behavior and attitudes that seem very different from the ones we were used to when we were kids. Today’s generations are all geared

Prepare your children for the new school year by having them identify their strengths, using this worksheet by Leah Davies. This self-awareness of their of skills and talents can help them deal with the inevitable ups-and-downs of life. And it can also increase your understanding of how your child sees himself. Read more: http://ow.ly/rkrM30g3Ze6

Kelly Bear Activity - My Strengths *The process of children identifying their strengths contributes to their self-awareness. This worksheet also serves to increase an adult’s understanding of individual children’s perceived attributes. Those children who are unable to rate themselves as being “Good” at any characteristic list...

Parenting Tip: It can be difficult to get kids to do the things they need to do. By using clear instructions, praise, and encouragement, you can help them get the "job" done. Learn more: http://ow.ly/xfr130hMxJo

Parent's Corner - The Center for Parenting Education The Center for Parenting Education's blog Parent's Corner works with our parenting classes online to educate and support parents.

As you plan for this school year, it is easy to get caught up in all the wonderful activities there are to help your kids grow and develop. For some families, this high level of activity is great. Others need more down time. Find a balance that works for you and your kids. Read more: http://ow.ly/qpTE30bBbbn

After-School Activities - Less May be More There is a lot of pressure to involve children in multiple after-school activities. But does this fit with your child's, your family's, or your preferences?

Parenting Principle: The years seem to fly, but the days can drag! By Rosemary Melnick

Does the sight and sound of your toddler having a melt down make you want to scream? Temper tantrums are a "normal" part of toddlerhood, so what's a parent to do? Learn more: http://ow.ly/s03s30fXwe2

How to Handle Toddler Temper Tantrums The intensity toddlers show during temper tantrums can leave parents confused and frustrated. Find out what is behind the tantrums and what you can do.

When kids are upset, parents are often quick to step in and try to make it better, taking on problems that their children really ought be handling on their own. Learn how to decide whose problem it is. http://ow.ly/R1V530bqHw2

The Skill of Problem Exploration Use problem exploration skills with your children when problems arise. Help them to see problems as challenges, not something negative or destructive.

Parents often feel pressure to keep their kids constantly entertained. When little Jimmy complains, "I'm bored!", parents often jump into action mode. Instead, it can be good for kids to experience a bit of boredom and use it as an opportunity to be creative. Read more: http://ow.ly/asYq30cI1Te

"I'm Bored!" Boredom can be used as an excuse to avoid responsibility. Learn how you can help your child use feeling bored as a way to take action in their lives.

In honor of International Friendship Day, read a book with your child about being a good friend. Learning social skills is a buffer against being a bully or a victim later in life. See our list of recommended children's books on this topic: http://ow.ly/sN7K30gDY3R

Recommended Children's Books Find recommended children's books to help your kids deal with common issues such as anger, fears, going to the doctor, potty training and much, much more.

Help preschoolers take responsibility for their behavior by pointing out the connection between what they did and the resulting consequence. For example, ask him, "What happened BEFORE the coach took you out of the game?" Learn more about guiding your child to realize his part in what happens to him - both those things that turn out how he wanted them to and those that don't: http://ow.ly/70V9309rhf1

Consequences for Preschoolers Parents feel pressure to set consequences for preschoolers when they misbehave. However, the goal is to teach children that their behavior has consequences.

A mom of two young children admitted to her mom that she sometimes dreaded long days at home with her kids. She was shocked and relieved when her mother shared that she had felt that way at times too when she was raising her children. The young mom said she never knew that and certainly never felt anything but love from her mom.

Parenting is hard and it is normal to sometimes feel trapped by all the responsibilities. It doesn't mean you are not a good parent or that you do not love your child.

"Your not the boss of me! If you are going to tell me what to do, I'm going to tell you what to do." That is such a refrain from 4-year-olds, who care a lot about exerting their power, especially within the family. Learn more about typical behavior by age: http://ow.ly/uRcH30eOiPD

Child Development by Age Understanding Child Development by Age: Learn about typical behaviors of children according to their age so that you can have realistic expectations.

Does your little one try to do everything his big brother or sister does? This can be an opportunity for you to encourage your older one to be on his "best" behavior.

One mom encouraged her son to be kind to his little sister by saying, "You're doing such a good job in showing Sara how we treat other people in our family. She really looks up to you."

It's a win-win-win. You win with less fighting, Sara learns good behavior, and the big brother feels special and is motivated to be nice to his sister.

Learn more about the sibling relationship: http://ow.ly/u26K30eKLrK

Sibling Rivalry - The Center for Parenting Education If there is more than one child in a family, you will usually see sibling rivalry. Learn when to step in and when to let your kids work it out on their own.

Parenting Principle of Complaining: Parents benefit by knowing it is perfectly okay and even beneficial as a release to complain about the job of parenting. It is freeing to other parents as well who may have thought that complaining should not occur, or that complaining means you wish you weren't a parent. It just means you have the right to verbalize your dissatisfaction with certain parts of the job. By Diane Wagenhals

Toddlers clamor to be independent, which can lead to your own home-grown fireworks! Learn more to understand your toddlers growth and what you can do to manage the revolt: http://ow.ly/IvMw30gDXtB

Happy 4th of July!!!

Discipline for Young Children: Setting Limits Limit setting is the first step in using discipline for young children. Learn how to set limits in a way that keeps your toddler safe and keeps your sanity!

It can be hard to know what the "right" parenting decision is. Sometimes parents try one thing and it doesn't work, so they swing in the totally opposite direction. Often that over-reaction doesn't produce the results they want either. Usually, the best answer is to make small, thoughtful adjustments and get feedback before making other changes. That way you are more likely to find an approach that will work for you and your child.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is to spend time, giving them your full attention. At times that may mean tuning out distractions or things you would rather be doing. For example, your child may really, really want to you there while he opens his birthday presents, even though you'd rather talk to the other parents at the party. This is a time when it would be important to show your child that you value him more than outsiders. Your actions send powerful messages.

Parenting is draining and exhausting. Kids demand and need a lot of attention. In order to meet their never-ending demands, it's really helpful to carve out some time for yourself - individually and as a couple (if you are a part of a couple). It will enable you to come back with renewed energy and perhaps a bit more objectivity and joy.

Parenting Principle: Stress is cumulative. What seems like a little thing that a parent is somehow "overreacting " to may simply to the last straw to a lot of previously unresolved hurts, frustrations, and drains. By Diane Wagenhals

Ever feel like you need to get away from your kids for a little while or else you will blow your stack? Parents may feel guilty acknowledging that, but it is actually a great way to give you both a little space. And with a little breathing room, you may be able to change the angry "dance" you and your kids are trapped in. Read more to understand anger and tips for turning down the heat in your home: http://ow.ly/vZ7u30946zm

Anger Management for Parents: Turn Down the Heat Anger is inevitable in any relationship. How you handle your anger determines whether it is destructive or helpful. Learn anger management for parents.

Looking for a great activity to do with your kids? Check out your local library. Often there are special programs geared to different ages. Even if there isn't one, you can search the books together for ones that match their interests. You can build a life-long love of reading, while enriching your connection with each other.

Does your children's whining drive you crazy? Read this parenting tip to learn how to end this annoying way of talking: http://ow.ly/UcoK30hrUfe

Parent's Corner - The Center for Parenting Education The Center for Parenting Education's blog Parent's Corner works with our parenting classes online to educate and support parents.