“Empathy is the ability to feel and understand what another person may be feeling but ultimately … it means connection … and feeling understood.”

There are just too many myths about parenting that need to be dispelled.  They are not helpful and only deplete parents’ confidence in how they raise their child.  Once they get called out and we  address them you will feel so much more confident and lighter. So let me share with you some truths to help relieve some of your potential angst.

There are several mistakes I see parents making over and over when they respond to their child's big emotions and challenging behaviors. These are common practices that are pretty “old school” and are not going to nurture the relationship you want or the cooperation you need from your child. But I will tell you what will…

The internet is an incredible tool, but it also comes with its own set of risks. As a parent, it's important to be proactive in teaching your children how to use the internet safely and responsibly.

It is important for parents to take steps to protect their children while they are online. It is also important for children to be taught about digital and media literacy to critically evaluate the information they encounter online, understand how to protect their personal information, and avoid falling prey to scams or misinformation.

I think all parents would like to parent with greater confidence while creating the relationship they want with their kids. In this post, I’m going to make some very frank points about what that entails and how to do it in a way that isn’t painful. (Reader Discretion Advised)

So you thought it best to focus on what your child does well and help them develop those skills. That can be helpful, but if you want your child to be truly successful in anything it requires having the right “Mindset".

Over and over I hear parents tell their kids to say, “I’m Sorry”. And when kids just parrot “I'm Sorry” like they are told many times, the next request is to “say it like you mean it”. Are we just asking them to be better liars? Why do we do it?

The holidays present a variety of opportunities to teach the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills of empathy, respect, and compassion through acts of kindness and service to others in the community. Through giving and volunteering, children can develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the realm outside their own world, as well as the diverse needs of others.

Self-care is not only a gift to yourself, but more importantly a gift to everyone in your life.  You cannot show up as your best self as a parent, partner, employee, daughter, or sister without fully being fueled and cared for.

What parent does not want to be acknowledged and appreciated for their hard work, commitment, and sacrifices? Many parents feel that their children are rude and disrespectful because they do not say thank you.

I was recently reading a piece that a business management expert wrote about being a good leader and boss. As I read this short bite of insight, I realized that all of the principals and ideas that he presented apply to success in parenting. 

 I was interviewed by Mazlo writer, Suzanne Schlosberg, about how to use empathy in response to some common parenting challenges. Suzanne is a talented and witty writer who draws from her own day-to-day challenges of raising 8-year-old two boys. I love her authenticity and how she writes about raising her boys. Enjoy!