In our travels and work with families we try to tune in to how parents are communicating with their children. At times we just want to hit the pause button and give the parents some feedback on why what they are doing or saying simply won‘t work. Since that is not possible, we decided to summarize the most common declarations of frustrated parents and suggest alternatives ways of approaching a situation. It is important to understand that none of us are perfect and from time to time we might say...
Jan 30, 2012•29 min
Children who are exceptional, either those with disabilities or those with special gifts present unique challenges for families. Today we are going to spend some time talking about parenting a child with a disability. We will follow up on our next show with parenting a child who is gifted and talented. We start with defining what we mean by a disability. A condition – either physical, emotional, cognitive – that impairs an individual’s functioning in such a way that accommodations are needed to ...
Jan 23, 2012•28 min
There are alarming increases in self-injurious behaviors and suicide attempts by teenagers. Today we will attempt to give an overview of the issues and what parents can do to protect their kids. We will show how self-harming behaviors like cutting and suicide attempts are related because they both reflect attempts by teens to cope with emotional overload through self destructive choices. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS However, cutting is not a gateway to suicide. Cutters...
Jan 16, 2012•27 min
We are learning so much about how our children learn and interact with the world from research by neuroscientists that we decided to devote this show to help parents relate this research to everyday parenting. We will be drawing upon a recent book, “Welcome To Your Child’s Brain” for most of what we share. The book is based on current research and authored by two prominent neuroscientists, Dr. Sandra Aamodt and Dr. Sam Wang. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS To best frame t...
Jan 09, 2012•30 min
As we were thinking about how to acknowledge the start of a new year on our show our thoughts turned to the topic of the New Year’s resolution or intention. Either formally or informally we try to look at the new year as a clean slate, a time to commit to making changes in our lives. Unfortunately, unless we really do it in a systematic way our good intentions tend to fall by the wayside. This is especially true for parents who are feeling overwhelmed and are experiencing a degree of dissatisfac...
Jan 02, 2012•25 min
As we think about the coming new year we are going to share more of our suggestions regarding some of the greatest concerns that parents tell us they have raising their children. We begin with a fundamental question, “Is There a difference between discipline and punishment?” Although commonly interchanged there are distinct differences between a punishment approach to child rearing and a discipline approach. A punishment such as a removal of privileges, or a quick spank takes little time for a p...
Dec 26, 2011•30 min
As we think about the coming new year we are going to share our suggestions regarding some of the greatest concerns that parents tell us they have raising their children. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS We begin with, “How can I get my children to follow rules and do their chores willingly and without reminders?” The most important step is the process followed by the family in establishing rules and chores. Many parenting books simply say parents must make rules and have ...
Dec 19, 2011•30 min
Not surprising, the most frequent questions we get from parents revolve around the parenting of teenagers. The teenage or adolescent years present so many challenges for both the youth and his/her parent it is no wonder why this period of child rearing is so stressful. On a previous show with an adolescent expert, Dr. Judith Kaufman we focused on some of the issues dealing with parenting teens however we might not have paid sufficient attention to what parents can do. We decided to re-visit the ...
Dec 12, 2011•27 min
The Penn. State tragedy has certainly brought the issue of sexual exploitation of children back on the front page. Much has been written and discussed in the media and the internet about the horrific acts of the former coach. It also reminds us about past reports of similar activities by members of the clergy and others in position of authority. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS Since our focus is parenting, we will devote this week’s show to what parents can do to protect ...
Dec 05, 2011•29 min
In our show at the beginning of the school year we talked about what parents need to do to prepare for the school year. The school year is nearing half way and for many children the work has become more difficult and problems are becoming apparent. This is a particularly critical time for parents to get involved before problems become overwhelming and the school year comes to an end. Children who do not receive the reinforcement of good grades and recognition by their teachers for positive perfo...
Nov 28, 2011•28 min
It is pretty clear that holiday madness has begun. Advertisements for pre- black Friday sales, seasonal commercials on TV and Christmas decorations and displays blossoming make it abundantly clear that there is no escape from the holiday hype. However, along with holiday excitement it can also be a stressful time for families. The media reinforces idealized images of what the holidays are supposed to be. We see well dressed, happy families with obedient children bearing abundant gifts enjoying e...
Nov 21, 2011•29 min
We have often talked about the importance of our children, especially teens, building resilience by experiencing a broader picture of the world and by overcoming obstacles. Several factors have made this more difficult today than in the past. Suburban life styles, fewer teens working after school, heavily scheduled activities and parents who might be keeping too tight a rein on their kids limit teens exposure to some of the realities of life. In addition, if they live in a community without dive...
Nov 14, 2011•29 min
Most parents try to teach their children to generally follow the golden rule – “do on to others as you would have others do on to you.” There are a number of values embedded in this simple statement. In Family Centered Parenting we talk about a family creating a vision statement which in essence often turns out to be a variation of the Golden Rule. Parents and teachers want to see children work and play together, to show respect, to not bully, to solve problems non-violently and to be understand...
Nov 07, 2011•29 min
We often encounter families punishing children with time outs. Depending on the age, the time outs range from sit in the corner for five minutes to no TV for a week. However, the behaviors often seem to repeat despite these punishments. Still many so-called parenting experts continue to advise parents to use time out as their main disciplinary strategy. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS In this and upcoming shows we will offer alternatives to time out that are based on unde...
Oct 31, 2011•26 min
Child care is a huge issue for parents. From the occasional babysitter to a full time Nanny, parents can’t always be with their children and must defer child rearing to another. It is a big topic, therefore we will break it down and focus today’s show on the more permanent type of non-institutional arrangements. We also have a guest with us, Katie Herrick Bugbee, the Managing Editor at Care.com , an online resource connecting families with babysitters, nannies, senior aides, pet care and houseke...
Oct 24, 2011•30 min
We have often made reference to our Family Centered Parenting process and book yet we haven’t fully explained Family Centered Parenting® (FCP). In this show we will start with an explanation of the general principles of the FCP approach. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS Family Centered Parenting is a parenting program based on the notion that a child is part of a family system where all family members make choices to get their individual needs met within the context of the...
Oct 17, 2011•29 min
We have often made reference to our Family Centered Parenting process and book yet we haven’t fully explained Family Centered Parenting® (FCP). In this show we will start with an explanation of the general principles of the FCP approach. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS Family Centered Parenting is a parenting program based on the notion that a child is part of a family system where all family members make choices to get their individual needs met within the context of the...
Oct 10, 2011•28 min
We acknowledge the dilemma for parents of teens in granting them independence while at the same time monitoring their actions to make sure they are making good decisions. It is clear that in order for teens to mature into responsible adults they have to develop resiliency – that is the ability to bounce back from the inevitable disappoints and setbacks we all experience. However, there is substantial evidence that fewer teens and emerging adults can cope with the stress of daily living. Recent s...
Oct 03, 2011•26 min
In the parenting journey, the child’s parents/caregivers will at times disagree on how to handle a specific situation or on their parenting strategies. This happens often, and has a significant impact on parenting. In our show we will look at what is often behind these disagreements and what can be done about it. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS As we are all aware, children need consistency in their lives. Predictably helps them feel secure and aware of their boundaries. ...
Sep 26, 2011•31 min
More and more children are getting a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to new data from the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The percentage of children with the condition rose from 7% in 1998-2000 to 9% in 2007-2009, for both boys and girls. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS Whatever the underlying reasons for the condition’s rise, a tremendous amount of money is being spent on health care and educational interventions directe...
Sep 19, 2011•35 min
More and more children are getting a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to new data from the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The percentage of children with the condition rose from 7% in 1998-2000 to 9% in 2007-2009, for both boys and girls. In some areas of the United States those figures are even higher. In the past 10 years, ADHD prevalence increased 10% in the Midwest and South. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS Whatever t...
Sep 12, 2011•26 min
This week we continue our conversation with our two experts on child safety. If you missed Part 1, please go to our archives and listen – there’s lots of great information there! Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS No one would disagree that making sure our children, often referred to as our most important natural resource, are safe is the number one priority for parents and for society at large. Therefore, we decided to focus this show and the next on child safety. We presen...
Aug 29, 2011•23 min
No one would disagree that making sure our children, often referred to as our most important natural resource, are safe is the number one priority for parents and for society at large. Therefore, we decided to focus this show and the next on child safety. We present data to frame the core issues involved in keeping children safe and to help us understand the issue of child safety in depth and to offer parents specific tips on keeping their children safe in and around their homes and community, w...
Aug 22, 2011•27 min
Given the displays in stores, ads on TV and the hopeful look on the faces of many parents, school is either starting soon or has just begun. However, we realize that it is a mixed bag for both parents and kids. Parents look forward to the stricter routines dictated by the school calendar yet will miss the more relaxed summer family schedule. Also, if there were school issues that were unresolved at the end of the last school year the new year starting reminds us that they must be re-visited. The...
Aug 15, 2011•27 min
In Family Centered Parenting we have been mindful not to place a set definition of what constitutes a family. Despite the implication on the part of parents listening that we are not talking only about a traditional family defined as children living with their biological mother and father, our message is that whatever way a family defines itself as a family is our definition of family. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS This is especially true given some startling data that ...
Aug 08, 2011•29 min
From toddlers putting coins in their piggy banks to teenagers paying for car insurance, money management is huge issue in the life of a family. When not handled thoughtfully, issues surrounding money can become a constant area of family friction and disharmony. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS Parents need guidelines and suggestions on how to establish and share their values concerning spending, saving and responding to the challenges of living a fiscally responsible lifes...
Aug 01, 2011•31 min
Philosopher Raymond Duncan wrote – “The best substitute for experience is being sixteen.” Then there is an old Yiddish proverb that tells us that, “Small children disturb your sleep, big children your life.” Subscribe with your favorite podcast player Android RSS Today we explore why the parenting of adolescents so fraught with angst for parents and what parents can do to not only survive the parenting of teenagers but actually enjoy the process. To help us we are joined by Dr. Judith Kaufman, P...
Jul 25, 2011•32 min
With so much parenting information and advice now available in books, magazines, internet blogs and “ezines”, parents are feeling tremendous pressure in figuring out how to precisely navigate the parenting journey. In addition, advice from friends and relatives – especially grandparents – makes the experience even more confusing. This week we will relieve some of the pressure parents are feeling to be perfect parents and to alleviate their fears that a parental mistake will have dire consequence...
Jul 18, 2011•28 min
Countless articles on parenting and TV reality shows like “Super Nanny” highlight issues about kids out of control or who rarely listen to their parents. Even early childhood educators report increasing violent or anti-social behavior among their students. Are we experiencing and epidemic on what is labeled by the mental health community as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)? This show will examine the apparent increase in negative behaviors among children and offer explanations as to what is h...
Jul 11, 2011•29 min
A print advertisement for a luxury minivan was titled, “Being a parent doesn’t mean being a martyr.” The implication is that if you do have to drive an un-cool minivan for the sake of the kids at least you can tart it up. A bumper sticker on a passing vehicle stated, “I have no life my daughter plays AAU Basketball.” Again, the message is to equate involved supportive parenting with martyrdom. In general, parents today are highly supportive of their children. There is nothing wrong with that as ...
Jul 04, 2011•30 min
