Growing up with Booger Man

Ice cream was a sumptuous luxury when I was young. Most evenings before bedtime, Mom allowed my older sister Lee Lee and I to dig out a bowlful of this tasty treat. Then, we’d scramble up to the kitchen table, pull out a chair, and sit with dangling legs to consume our cool, creamy delight. Over ice cream we chatted, giggled, and swapped stories that would bond us for a lifetime.

            Lee Lee’s obsession for ice cream was infamous. Mom lured my big sister into doing her chores, homework, or getting ready for bed with the promise of ice cream. When she had ice cream, she wolfed it down like a starved animal. I, on the other hand, slowly and daintily savored each chilly spoonful.

            One evening, the two of us were at the kitchen table eating our ice cream when I noticed – Lee Lee once again had downed hers. Now she was ogling mine. I glanced over at my big sister’s

Better Communication with Teens

    “Dad, are you mad at me?”

         “I’m not mad honey.”

         “Yes you are!”

         “No I’m not.”

         "You look mad!"

           Parents and teens argue. But consider this; sometimes it’s because adolescents don’t “read” facial cues correctly. Often teens translate a parent’s worried or panic expression as anger. Then they respond to that perceived emotion. Thus the vicious cycle of misunderstanding and miscommunication.

Happy, Happy New Year

It's almost here! 

Thanks for reading my blog all year. You’re welcome to share it via Twitter, Facebook, or forward to someone who may benefit too. 

I hope you'll encourage soon-to-be or new parents in 2014 with a gift copy of The Birth to Five Book, available from me - ask for it signed - by mailing $12 (incl S&H) to: P.O. Box 1302 | Mount Vernon, OH 43050 (U.S. Only). Hurry, my price offer ends on January 15, 2014.

When I was a new mom, one of my parenting goals was to practice discipline with an instructive attitude. I didn't adopt the attitude that my kids were in a me-against-you war. Rather I tried to maintain the attitude that they needed my help to know right from wrong, how to gain satisfaction in appropriate ways, and how to succeed in life through appropriate talk and behavior.

Now, what's your New Year discipline resolution? (tweet)

Successful Discipline

Years ago I spoke on discipline to parents who attended a Baby Bonanza & Kid Expo in Columbus, Ohio. One of the things I tried to impress on audiences was, "discipline isn't a 'me against you' approach but, one of instruction."

You are the teacher; your child is the learner. When you confront inappropriate behaviors with this definition, then you're on the right road to successful discipline!

To help you remember this definition, below is a list of successful discipline tips:

• Stay consistent - disasters arise when kids are given mixed messages
• Be proactive - plan ahead how to constructively confront and correct a child's behavior
• Balance rules with relationship - children need both
• Adjust your method to age and development - what works on a 2 year old may not work on a 10 year old

Separate the doer from the deed - love the child, not the behavior

Feel welcome to print out this list and stick it on your frig or filing cabinet as a reminder.