Having an imaginary friend is a normal, healthy part of most kids’ development. Studies show that up to 60 percent of children between the ages of three and eight will invent an imaginary companion at some point. Some imaginary friends are completely incorporeal beings, while others are personified by physical objects, such as a favourite stuffed animal or doll. Regardless of ...
The essence of a thriving family dynamic lies in a healthy parent-child relationship. This bond shapes a child’s future relationships, self-esteem, behaviours, and abilities to cope with stress and adversity. According to the research studies, this is pivotal to not only a child’s cognitive skills but also their psychological and emotional wellbeing. The Foundation of Parent-Child Relationships When ...
We all want to protect our children from disappointment and ensure they have the best possible opportunities in life, but lawnmower parents take these natural desires to extremes. Unlike helicopter parents, who closely monitor their children’s lives and offer sometimes excessive support, lawnmower parents proactively intervene in their children’s affairs. They may take drastic measures to achieve success ...
Raising an adolescent can make you feel like you have a stranger in your home: Your previously polite, obedient child starts to roll her eyes, make sarcastic remarks, and argue at the slightest provocation. Her moods change quickly, and she sometimes shuts you out without explaining why. With all of these changes, you may feel like your bond with your ...
Not every relationship works out. This is true whether the relationship in question is a friendship, romantic relationship, or the ...
Politics has always been a controversial topic, but rarely has our political climate been as divisive as it is right ...
Sometimes classroom behavior problems signal giftedness. Brad and Karen were at their wits end. Their grade school children once again ...
Many parents are reluctant to set limits because they don’t want to upset their children or incite power struggles. However, not establishing clear boundaries is proven to create emotional difficulties for children and make them more challenging to parent. Kids need limits to help them learn how to self-regulate. Without rules, they have no framework for coping with intense ...
With as busy as most parents are, it’s easy to overlook the many small opportunities we have to strengthen our relationship with our kids. Fortunately, building a solid, trusting bond with your child doesn’t require hours of research or complex parenting techniques. Instead, as is the case with any relationship, the parent-child connection thrives on consistent positive attention. ...
Parents try many different strategies in order to encourage their children to behave well: They reason with them, they reward them, they sometimes even nag or cajole them… But what if we’re overlooking the most effective way of connecting with our kids and teaching them self-regulation skills? According to numerous experts on child development, we are—and the answer ...
Many parents who criticize their children have good intentions. They often hope that by pointing out their child’s errors, they can help her (or him) overcome problem behaviours, learn the skills she needs to succeed socially and academically, and develop a strong sense of personal accountability. They intend, at base, to guide their child. Unfortunately, parents don’t always ...
