Blog
Social Media & Youth Mental Health: Understanding the Connection and the AAP’s “5 C’s for Media Use”
A research study published 7/21/2025 surveyed over 1000 individuals who were 18 to 24 years old. They asked them, “When did you get a smartphone?” and about a whole host of mental health symptoms. (See news stories on Good Morning America, CNN, and CBS, Scripps News.) The study found that children who start using smartphones …
How Can Stay At Home Parents Dealing With Loneliness Create Their Own Support Systems?
“Today’s stay-at-home parents are bringing professional skills to one of the toughest jobs out there—parenting. But without the built-in support networks of the workplace or nearby family, many are finding that connection and community are just as essential at home as they were on the job.”
Why Parenting Education Matters (and How You Can Help Make It More Accessible)
Research shows parenting education can prevent and improve many problems families and society experience. Yet, many people don’t know it exists, think it’s only for “bad” parents, that anyone can be a “parenting expert,” or that professionals like therapists and pediatricians have been trained in effective parenting skills. None of those are true!
Are Your Children Lying? Why Children Lie and How Can You Encourage Truthfulness?
Kimberly wants her children to be honest, but sometimes she accidentally models lying or responds to lies in ways that accidentally perpetuate the problem. For example, When a salesperson calls, Kimberly has her children tell them she is not home. When she’s at a restaurant, she lies about her children’s ages to let them eat …
Are Your Children Lying? Why Children Lie and How Can You Encourage Truthfulness? Read More »
The NeXt GenerationZ Parents
Parenting is a lifelong journey of self-improvement. Our children teach us so much, just as did our parents. We have a daily decision to make, to unconsciously parent based on how we were parented, for better or worse, to wait for problems to arise and then react to them with trial and error, or to …
How to Get Kids to Turn Screens Off and Turn On to Life
When you were young, before you had 24-hour access to a cell phone, social media or computer, what did you do? How much time you spend each day outside, doing something physical, or with other kids? Did you ever read a book under a shade tree, fall asleep, and take a nap in the breeze? …
How to Get Kids to Turn Screens Off and Turn On to Life Read More »
Funding for Parents Toolshop® Services in Ohio Sought
The Parents Toolshop® is not just an award-winning book; it’s an evidence-based parent education program with 30 years of outstanding results with over 100,000 parents and professionals worldwide — and continuously in Ohio. Our original funder said of other programs, “Our statistics show that none have even come close to achieving the results your classes …
Funding for Parents Toolshop® Services in Ohio Sought Read More »
Potty Trained or Parent Trained?
Is There a Difference Between Potty Training Boys vs. Potty Training Girls? “Lexi is already pooping and peeing on the potty and she won’t even be one until next month,” Crystal tells the other moms at their weekly playdate. “Well, I’ve heard potty training girls is easier than potty training boys” Valerie pipes in. “You …
BEDTIME IS A NIGHTMARE . . . HELP! TIPS FOR MAKING BEDTIME PEACEFUL
BEDTIME IS A NIGHTMARE . . . HELP! TIPS FOR MAKING BEDTIME PEACEFUL My three-year-old son is very active and gets more so around bedtime. We have a bedtime routine that begins at 8:30 p.m. and includes a bath, healthy snack, storytelling, teeth-brushing and three books. After I turn out the lights, I sit by …
BEDTIME IS A NIGHTMARE . . . HELP! TIPS FOR MAKING BEDTIME PEACEFUL Read More »
What Are Parenting “Best Practices”?
We, at Parents Toolshop® — well, actually every parenting division of our parent company, Relationship Toolshop® International Training Institute, LLC — adhere to and promise to only teach you “research-based, trauma-informed best practices” in parenting. Yes, even if your child does not have a known trauma history, it’s important you know and use these parenting …
Table of Contents – The Parent’s Toolshop® book
Acknowledgments ……………………………………………………………………………….. vi-viii Introducing Your Toolshop Tour Guide…………………………………………….. ix-xiv Chapter 1: Touring The Parent’s Toolshop……………………………………………….. 1 Another Parenting Book? • What The Parent’s Toolshop Does • Suggestions for Use STEP A: PREVENTION TOOLBOX……………………………………………………………….. 19 Chapter 2: Foundation-Building Toolset…………………………………………………… 21 Establishing a Common Language • What Are Our Parenting Goals? • Parenting Styles • Parenting as …
How to Talk to Your Children About the Coronavirus without Scaring or Stressing Them
By now, most school-aged children have heard about the coronavirus, whether by overhearing the news, parents talking to others, other kids at school, or from school administrators when they temporarily close the school. Even homeschooling parents must address why they aren’t visiting libraries and other public places and events they frequent during homeschool activities. Everyone …
How to Talk to Your Children About the Coronavirus without Scaring or Stressing Them Read More »
Using Family Councils to Problem-Solve, Make Decisions & Build Closer Relationships
Fred and Tammy are both hesitant about using family councils, but for different reasons. When Fred was growing up, they had family meetings where the kids would vote on decisions. Sometimes he and his two siblings were able to “stack the vote” against their parents, so they’d be sure to get what they wanted. Other …
Using Family Councils to Problem-Solve, Make Decisions & Build Closer Relationships Read More »
Disciplining Children
SO many parents start talking about discipline right off the bat when parenting topics arise. It almost doesn’t matter what someone is talking about, if it’s a parenting topic, just hold your breath and the topic of discipline will come up before you turn blue! When the topic of discipline comes up, it’s a HOT …
How Do I Get My Toddler to Stop Nose Picking?
How Do I Get My Toddler to Stop Nose Picking? Kara smacks down her two-year-old son’s hand down as he picks his noses. “Stop picking your nose,” she scolds him as she helps him put his coat on. This is the third time she’s caught him doing this disgusting habit today. He doesn’t seem …
How Can Do I Keep My Child’s Hand Out of the Toddler Diaper?
How Can Do I Keep My Child’s Hand Out of the Toddler Diaper? “Gross! Stop doing that, Tommy!” yells Julie at her two- year- old son who has his hand down his diaper. Julie is disgusted and fed up with her son’s habit. He continues to put his hands down his toddler diaper no matter …
How Can Do I Keep My Child’s Hand Out of the Toddler Diaper? Read More »
How to Stop Thumb Sucking Ages 3 to 5?
How to Stop Thumb Sucking Ages 3 to 5? “Quit being such a baby,” Jamie scolds her three-year-old daughter, as she pulls her thumb out of her daughter’s mouth. As soon as Jamie looks away, her daughter pops her thumb back in her mouth. Jamie continues to pull out her daughter’s thumb while walking the …
School Topic Article Series
Here are links to the articles Parents Toolshop® offers on school issues: · How Can My Family Get Back Into The School Routine Successfully? · School Age Child Development Stages: What are 10 Tips for Kindergarten Readiness? · What is the Recipe for Success in School? · Back to School Tips for Teens Entering High …
Holiday Tips
Here is a list of all the Parents Toolshop ® holiday-related articles. They are packed with tips to get you through this hectic time of year so you can spend more time with your family creating special memories to cherish for years to come. How Do You Teach Children To Have An Attitude Of Gratitude …
How Do I Teach Children To Clean Up Their Messy Rooms?
How Do I Teach Children To Clean Up Their Messy Rooms? You are cleaning up in the kitchen. You hear your children playing in the family room. You see them run upstairs. When you are done cleaning the kitchen, you go to sit down in the family room to take a break and watch T.V. …
How Do I Teach Children To Clean Up Their Messy Rooms? Read More »
Messy Rooms: How Do I Teach Children To De-clutter & Donate Toys To Charity?
Messy Rooms: How Do I Teach Children To De-clutter & Donate Toys To Charity? The December holidays are coming to a close. As you come to from your turkey-induced drowsiness and look around, you feel a spark of motivation to use your few days off work to tackle some household chores you’ve been meaning to …
Messy Rooms: How Do I Teach Children To De-clutter & Donate Toys To Charity? Read More »
Is The Family Bed An Option For You?
Your child starts out the night in his own bed, but usually gets up while you are still doing things on the household chore list. Instead of finishing the chores, you go to his room and lay with him until he falls asleep. You are up later to get everything done. After you are asleep, …
How Do You Respond To Passive Aggressive Behavior? Tips For Dealing With Difficult People
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 …
How Do You Teach Effective Communication Skills To Your Children?
“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 »
What Can Be Done When There is A Bad Role Model Within Sibling Relationships or Among Peers?
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 …
Effective Problem Solving Strategies: How Do You Teach Children To Responsibly Solve Their Own Problems?
“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 …
Children and Divorce: How Do You Ease A Teen’s Resistance to Divorce and Remarriage?
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 »
How Do You Respond When Your Child Presents You With a Report on Best Family Dogs and Begs for a Pet?
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 …
Your Child’s First Crush: Is it Puppy Love?
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 …
Teen Dating: When Does Puppy Love Become More Serious?
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 »
Child Development Stages: Is it the Terrible Twos or the Demands of a Spoiled Brat?
“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 »
Can Terrible Twos Defiance Be Avoided?
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 …
How Can You Promote Healthy Sports Competition?
“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 …
How Can My Family Get Back Into The School Routine Successfully?
Come on, admit it. You intended to keep a schedule this summer, but when the kids slept in you liked the extra quiet time. Then the daylight lasted so long it was often later than you realized when the kids finally hit the sack. Not living by the clock was a refreshing change of pace, …
How Can My Family Get Back Into The School Routine Successfully? Read More »
School Age Child Development Stages: What are 10 Tips for Kindergarten Readiness?
The new world of school brings many changes. Even for children who have been in child care or preschool, starting kindergarten will be a new world that is quite different from what they’ve experienced. The school’s rules might be different from your rules, so children must learn flexibility. Children need to sit still for longer …
School Age Child Development Stages: What are 10 Tips for Kindergarten Readiness? Read More »
Age Regression During Child Development Stages: How Do I Deal with My Child Regressing and “Acting Like a Baby
Jessica’s four-year-old just doesn’t seem to want to grow up. At daycare, he will go into the infant area and ask for a bottle. The other children mostly stare at him as if he is weird. At home, he tries to get Jessica to rock him to sleep at night and is practically glued to …
How Do I Bring Diversity Awareness into our Homes?
I took my four-year-old granddaughter, Evelyn, to an indoor playground. A little African-American girl, Amani, who was a few years older, invited her to play with her and they became fast friends. Amani held Evelyn’s hand, guiding Evelyn to the different play areas, taking turns, and sharing prizes they won at the games. Evelyn’s preschool …
How Do I Bring Diversity Awareness into our Homes? Read More »
Dealing with Toddler’s Separation Anxiety: How Do I Get My Toddlers to Stop Their Pacifier Use
Rhonda took her son in to the dentist for his annual exam and afterward the dentist brought her into the room to show her that her son was developing an overbite and asked Rhonda if her son was still using a pacifier. Rhonda replied, “Well, yes, but not all the time.” The dentist then suggested …
Can Road Trip Games be the Cure for Boredom?
Stacey and her family cram their van with suitcases, snacks, and sunscreen, as they get ready for their anticipated vacation to Disney World. Ten minutes down the street Stacey hears the inevitable “I’m bored” from her four-year-old son. Stacey realizes this is going to be a long ten hour drive for her and her family. …
How Can My Children Do Extra-Curricular Activities Without Creating More Family Stress?
Kari pulls into the fast food restaurant’s drive-thru for the third time this week to get her and her three children dinner before she drives her youngest to baseball practice. She almost never has time to cook and meal for her family, anymore, between soccer and baseball practice for her two sons and dance and …
How Can My Children Do Extra-Curricular Activities Without Creating More Family Stress? Read More »
Children Nutrition Concerns? How Do I Get My Picky Eaters to Finish Eating Everything on Their Plate?
Pleading with her seven year old son, Ann feels discouraged when begging him to eat just one more bite of carrots. Instead, her son just continues to play with his food and stare at it. She can’t begin to count the plates of food that have gone to waste because her son does not finish …
How to Develop Healthy Eating Habits and Get My Picky Eaters between 5 and 13 to Eat a Variety of Foods?
Julie opens the freezer to fix dinner and is bombarded with a mountain of chicken nuggets, her son’s favorite. “Can we have chicken nuggets, again?” asks her six year old son from across the house. Sighing, Julie responds, “Yes” and reluctantly pulls out the box of chicken nuggets. Julie knows it’s not healthy for her …
How to Develop Healthy Eating Habits: Can Changes in Children Nutrition Reduce Child Behavior Problems?
The screams coming from her six month old daughter’s crib launches Jill to her feet and into the bedroom. Jill witnesses her six year old son yanking on his little sister’s hair through the crib. Instantly, Jill pulls the two apart and drags her son to the hallway. After asking her son his reasoning, …
How Do I Get My Picky Eaters to Try New Foods?
After an exhausting and repetitive week, Erin finally makes it home late Friday night. Wanting a change, she decides to fix something new for dinner. Erin cooks cauliflower and carrots and adds them to her four-year-old daughter’s plate, next to the macaroni and cheese and hamburger. Instantly, her daughter turns up her nose to …
Are You An Exhausted Parent Looking For Tips On Parenting Without Power Struggles At Bedtime?
Each night it is the same thing — a bedtime battle with children, every step of your bedtime routines. First, your child refuses to put on pajamas, then doesn’t want to brush teeth. The more you remind and push, the firmer your child refuses to cooperate. You end up raising your voices at each other …
Rewards & Bribes
“Come on, Johnny! P-L-E-A-S-E!?” … {PAUSE} … {repeat 3-10 times} … “I’ll give you a ______ if you do it!” Many parents reward children’s good behavior or use bribes to entice children to cooperate. Such rewards can easily turn into bribes. Bribes are gifts or payments which manipulate or influence someone to take a particular action. Rewards …
Why Kids Misbehave… and What You Can Do to Prevent and Stop It
When children misbehave, our gut reaction is to do whatever we can to stop it and stop it fast! There are three big problems with this approach: Misbehavior is only a symptom of a deeper core issue that the child is expressing in a negative way. If you only try to stop the misbehavior but don’t identify …
Why Kids Misbehave… and What You Can Do to Prevent and Stop It Read More »
Discipline, Punishment and Abuse
If you like this article, check out the related resources listed below. CHILD ABUSE OR DISCIPLINE: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? Child Abuse is at epidemic proportions. The cause is the use of punishment, instead of discipline. While all abuse uses punishment, not all punishment is abusive. This does not mean “mild” punishment works or is okay, because …
How Do I Express Concerns and Build Teamwork During a Parent Teacher Conference?
Stephanie’s son is in first grade. He comes home from school crying almost every day. He loses his recess and is told to stay on “the wall” because he doesn’t finish his work. Stephanie asked him why. He said he didn’t know how to do all the work and is afraid to ask his teacher …
How Do I Express Concerns and Build Teamwork During a Parent Teacher Conference? Read More »
What is the Recipe for Success in School?
Rob and Linda have a son in third grade and daughter in fifth grade. Their son has a hard time organizing his desk and getting the correct subject book out during class. Their daughter has a hard time getting homework assignments back to the correct teacher and has received several missed assignment slips because she could not find assignments …