We prepare children for all sorts of things in life—a new babysitter, the first day of school, the arrival of a new sibling. Preparation is important because children, like adults, find comfort in knowing what to expect. The same sense of security is critical to helping a child who is entering psychotherapy.
Guest post by Kids ‘R’ Kids of Dallas/Fort Worth
The most frequently ask question among parents is, “When do I start disciplining?” and “How should I discipline?” Childcare experts wish there was an easy explanation to give desperate parents, but that’s just not the case. The answer is both simple and complex. Childcare professionals recommend you start disciplining a child as soon as he’s capable of understanding what you are doing, that way he can learn why you are doing it. Experts say this occurs usually around 18 months, although some children may be closer to 2 years of age before discipline can become effective.
by Jennifer Morrison, Ph.D.
Pediatric Neuropsychologist-Our Children’s House at Baylor
Over the past decade, awareness of autism has reached a fever pitch. Although this awareness is needed, it can bring with it much confusion—especially for the parents of young children who are constantly exposed to media coverage and new research studies about the condition. So how can parents process this information without becoming alarmed or overly concerned? Or more importantly, if their child is diagnosed with Autism, where can they turn for help?
By Amy Egan
Recently, I have been coaching a mother whose six-year-old daughter has a lot of control in their home. Due to the nature of their personalities, both parents were allowing this to go on because they saw it as being better than any conflict that ensued when Meg was not given her way. Naturally, life had gotten very uncomfortable for all three of them. To start with, we worked out a plan to help get Mom and Dad back in charge of the situation. Things like not arguing with Meg, setting a limit once and following through with a consequence, not minding when Meg got really upset with them, all helped tremendously. And while both parents were thrilled with the improvements and new-found harmony within the family, Mom was still puzzled by Meg’s almost constant attempts to control her mother.
Our work together then went on to the next layer of the onion, and here is what popped up.
by Bethlyn Gerard
Depending on the age of your child, ‘back to school’ may land somewhere between elation and dread. We parents know all too well that the student isn’t the only one feeling the pressure of the transition from summer to school days.
Big or small, the start of another school year involves adjustments for the entire household. Routines including eating, sleeping, dressing, shopping, packing and traveling are impacted. With all the forms to sign, supplies to gather, shots and physicals to get, cubbies and lockers to find, it may be difficult to imagine how a person could juggle what needs to get done without feeling stressed.
by Amy Egan
It may be impossible not to hurt when our kids are hurting, but maybe just being aware when we experience it would be helpful. There is almost nothing more painful than watching our kids hurt: most of the time we’d rather do their suffering for them. I am sure it is the “Mama Bear instinct” that takes hold of us when we see our kids in any kind of pain – whether it is physical or emotional, and whether they are the cause of their pain or not at fault.
There are situations when their pain needs to be our business – and there are also plenty of situations where their concerns need to be their own. The focus of this article is not about whether to step in: it is about bringing to light the serious ramifications we can create simply by approaching the child’s concerns with our own perspectives.
