Your mother-in-law suggested doing a gift exchange this year, at her house. Her instructions we were to give gifts only to the person whose name you drew. Any gifts you wanted to give to other family members we to be given another time, just with those people. As the gift exchange gifts were being passed …
Effective Communication Skills: How Can I Use Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Skills To Talk So Children Listen? Jennifer has 3 children ages 8, 12, and 16. She struggles getting any of them to listen and cooperate. Any time she tries to have a conversation with one of them about what needs done, they mumble or …
“How was your day?” Rebecca asked her twelve-year-old when he came home from school. “Ok,” he responds. “Did you learn anything new today?” she asks. “Nope,” her son plainly says while staring out the window. “Well, what did you do today?” she asks. “Nothing,” her son responds in a tone of voice that was clearly …
How Do You Teach Effective Communication Skills To Your Children? Read More »
Debbie’s thirteen-year-old, Darren, is a poor behavior example for her younger children. She is constantly telling Darren to keep his hands to himself and let the younger children do things on their own. She tells him, “You’re not their parent,” because he tells the younger children what to do and tries to punish them. The …
“I don’t know what’s up with my friends lately. It seems they never have time to hang out and do anything I think will be fun,” David complains to his mom, Chloe. “Well there is so much you can do on your own, David. What do you need your friends for? Why don’t you go …
Brad’s fiancé, Rebecca is 40 and he is 46. Brad is divorced without kids and Rebecca has a fourteen-year-old son from a prior marriage. When they moved into Brad’s home, Rebecca’s son became difficult. He has rejected all prior suitors, not because he wants his parents to get back together, but to be the man …
Children and Divorce: How Do You Ease A Teen’s Resistance to Divorce and Remarriage? Read More »
Jessica’s daughter, Lucy has been begging to get a pet. Lucy has spent time researching “best family dogs” and “best dogs for children” on the internet. She has even compiled a list of “why you should adopt a pet” and has been sharing it with her friends. Jessica and her husband both grew up with …
Susan is shocked as she picks up her seven-year-old daughter at school and sees her holding hands with a boy. “Who was that?” Susan asks her daughter as she gets into the car. “Oh, that’s my boyfriend, Robert” her daughter replies. “Your boyfriend!” Susan responds. “Yeah mom, we’ve been dating for three days now and …
While doing the laundry, Kelly discovers a folded up note in the pocket of her thirteen year old daughter’s jeans. She unfolds it and sees that it’s a note that a boy named Bobby was supposed to receive, but never did. Kelly folds it back up and sets it on her daughter’s dresser. Later that …
Teen Dating: When Does Puppy Love Become More Serious? Read More »
“I want more juice!” demands Eric, Ashley’s four-year-old son, from the dinner table. Ashley politely replies, “Please don’t talk to me like that. Say ‘please.’” Then Eric starts to whine, “But Mom, I’m thirsty! I want more juice!” Ashley tries to be patient and says, “Honey, I know, just say ‘please.’” Now Eric’s whining becomes …
Child Development Stages: Is it the Terrible Twos or the Demands of a Spoiled Brat? Read More »
Karen is so annoyed. Her 2-year old daughter, Tina, is constantly telling her “no!” or becomes defiant and refuses to cooperate with even small requests she typically went along with just last month. Karen’s friend tells her, “Oh, this is normal for 2-year olds. She’s just going through that terrible twos defiance stage.” Even though …
“I made more goals during my game than you did in yours,” Bill remarks to his brother, Tom. “Well, I kick the ball better and overall I’m a better soccer player than you,” Tom states defensively. “No way, everyone knows I’m the better soccer player” replies Bill “Who are you fooling? You know I’m the …