: North Texas Kids : Your family guide to raising happy, healthy kids

How to Deal with Tween Attitude

Tween Mean: Time to Adjust the Tween Attitude

Making the transition from child to tween can be exciting and anxiety provoking. As children’s minds and bodies march toward puberty, the maturity process leaves many marks. There are the outward physical changes including the appearance of secondary sex characteristics such as pubic hair for both boys and girls. Tween girls may notice budding breasts, while boys may note the growth of their testicles. During these years growth spurts are common and the majority of girls will experience their first period before the age of 13.

How to Parent a Child with Anxiety Issues

Parenting Kids with Anxiety Issues

by Amy Egan

This past year I had a few coaching sessions with a couple of two elementary aged kids. Collin, a fifth grader and Cara, a second grader. Our first two visits we spent mostly working on new, more effective parenting skills when handling Collin. He was a pretty good-natured boy but his parents had typical tweenaged frustrations with him. He was a little disrespectful, a little argumentative and tended to pull them into power struggles. They were becoming beaten down by these things – but more than that, concerned about his anxiety level. Collin was a very anxious boy.

We mostly developed plans for handling his disrespect and the power struggles. After reading suggested materials and a couple of coaching sessions, they began to do the following on a consistent basis.

Forgive Yourself; You are a Great Parent

Learn to Forgive Yourself

by Amy Egan

As a parenting coach I often notice that when a parent or couple first meet with me, they have such guilt that things are less than perfect in their homes. The fact that they yell, are angry with their children, or can’t figure out how to make things more peaceful – makes them feel like failures. I have empathy for them because I can relate. For many of us, being a great parent is the most important thing in our lives. Therefore, when we feel frustrated with parenting it is easy to get down on ourselves for not getting it right.

8 Ways to be a Good Role Model for Kids

Being a Good Parent is Being a Good Role Model

Guest post by Kids ‘R’ Kids DFW

Being a good role model to your children will go a long way in their development. Here are some practical tips to help love and influence your child.

Be Predictable: Children want to know the rules and in a world full of contradictions and change, a parent should be predictable.

Forgive a lot: If a child makes a mistake, they need to know what was expected. Parents’ position should be clear and a few simple rules, firmly enforced, are more effective than many rules loosely enforced.

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Physical and Emotional Health: The Best Gift for Our Children

Dealing with Suppressed Emotional Issues Helps Us be Better Parents

by Amy Egan

I love working with parents on their quests to better relationships with their children, more harmony within their families and more joy in parenting. There are many aspects to reaching these goals such as feeling comfortable saying ‘no’, allowing kids to make mistakes, listening and validating kids’ feelings, realizing you as parent are not responsible for fixing their problems, loving children no matter how happy or sad they make their lives, being truly present with them, etc. But there is another aspect that I realize I’ve not given ample focus. The aspect of getting healthy, yourself, is vital to a child’s well being. Of course, this means physical health, but it also very much means emotional health. A parent who has inner turmoil – issues not dealt with such as, suppressed anger, addiction or emotional scars, will parent their child from a clouded perspective. A parent who is emotionally unhealthy is far more likely to under react or over react to children’s issues and behaviors throughout their lives.

How to Combat the Back to School Blues

Ways to Combat Back to School Blues

by Dr. Jennifer A. Powell-Lunder

While for most folks, the summer symbolizes rest and relaxation, back to school time can serve as a jolt back the reality of routine life. As the first school weeks pass, it is not uncommon to feel as if the outside world is gaining momentum, spinning fast and with more force. School season represents commitment and activity, often-increased stress because there never seems to be enough time.

How can you tell if you and/or your kids are experiencing the blues? Here is a list of some common signs:

Tips for Back to School Transitioning

How to Help Your Kids Transition Back to School

by Dr. Craig Pierce

Dr. Craig Pierce, founder and president of the Southwest Family Guidance Center and Institute, and author of Parenting Without Distraction: The Attunetion^® Approach, is offering tips for parents to have a smooth transition back to school. Preparing for school, and readjusting to the new routines after the summer break can be stressful for parents and children alike.