Author name: Jody Johnston Pawel LSW CFLE

Sibling Relationships and How to Avoid Sibling Rivalry

Sibling Relationships and How to Avoid Sibling Rivalry Question: I know it’s normal for kids to fight, but their fighting drives me crazy! It seems that it’s become a habit to get a rise out of each other. I’m tired of reprimanding them, separating them and even taking away toys. This seems to work temporarily, …

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Dealing With Criticism? Immunize Yourself Against Toxic People

Dealing With Criticism? Immunize Yourself Against Toxic People Most parents will attend a family gathering or visit relatives during the Summer, around the December holidays or other time during the year. Many will also endure a chronically negative or critical relative. You know who I mean. Every family seems to have at least one. That …

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USING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES: Behavior Charts, Incentives, Stickers, Tokens. Should I Use Them? If So, How?

USING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES Behavior Charts, Incentives, Stickers, and Tokens.  Should I Use Them? If So, How? Many professionals who dispense parenting advice tell parents to use rewards or create “behavior modification” token systems to teach children a skill, to get children to take on a responsibility, or to curb an unwanted behavior or habit. …

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PUNISHING VS. DISCIPLINING CHILDREN

PUNISHING VS. DISCIPLINING CHILDREN Disciplining children is different from punishing them because it teaches children to learn from their mistakes rather than making them suffer for them. In fact, imposing suffering actually shifts the focus from the lesson that needs to be learned to who is in control. As a result, punishment focuses on the …

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How to Build Teamwork When You And Your Partner Have Different Parenting Styles

How To Build Teamwork When You And Your Partner Have Different Parenting Styles Many of us have a variety of parenting partners: spouses, ex-spouses, teachers, day care workers, relatives, friends and neighbors. Each partner can have a parenting style that differs from ours. When parenting styles clash, parents may overreact, interfere or try to change …

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Is My Child Ready to Be Home Alone? Is There a Legal Age for Children to Stay Home Alone?

Is My Child Ready to Be Home Alone? Is There a Legal Age For Children to Stay Home Alone? The end of the school year brings a tough decision for many parents, “Is my child ready to be home alone?” Many parents answer this question simply by looking at a child’s age or maturity, but …

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Concerns About Teenage Drinking

Concerns About Teenage Drinking Parents, Take the “Prom Promise” Prom night and graduation parties are upon us. Many teens will take the “Prom Promise” to abstain from drug and alcohol use. Parents need to make a “Prom Promise” too, to be responsible parents that don’t intentionally or inadvertently encourage teen drinking. Many parents think teenage …

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