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Help your kids learn to make amends for mistakes

Jen Klein — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0800

There are times when a simple “I’m sorry” isn’t enough. It’s hard enough to face this situation as an adult, but it can be even harder for a kid just learning about emotions and hurts and navigating relationships. Everyone needs to make amends at some point -- and your child needs your guidance in learning about this delicate and important part of friendships.

A family's top 10 list

Jen Klein — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0800

As the calendar year winds down, it seems like every publication is putting out a top 10 list. From best songs to worst TMI celebrity moments, top 10 lists are a fun way to encapsulate the year. They don’t tell the complete story, of course, but do offer perspective on your year. Why not create a top 10 with your family?

Is Twitter the new Facebook for teens?

Jen Klein — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:30:00 -0800

First it was texting and then it was Facebook. With each tech development adopted by your teen, you have followed along, learning the technology in an effort to understand, teach and supervise. It's time to add another new technology to your repertoire: Teens are moving to Twitter.

Fun winter sports for the whole family

Jen Klein — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0800

The family that plays together, stays together. From goofing off in the backyard to intense competition, your family is all about togetherness. But does your family bonding time wind down in the winter months? Does the cold diminish your playtime? Don’t let it! Winter sports are for the whole family -- together.

How to teach your kids to fight fair

Jen Klein — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:30:00 -0800

In an ideal world, we would all get along, all the time. But the world is not ideal and conflicts do happen. There are spats and full-blown fights between siblings, friends, partners, strangers, parents and children. Instead of pretending conflicts don't happen, accept that they do -- and take the opportunity to teach your children how to fight fair.

Monday Mom challenge: Fight fair

Jen Klein — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:30:00 -0800

It would be nice to think we could get through life and relationships without conflict, but that's not reality. Disagreements -- fights even -- happen. Whether with someone we love dearly or a stranger, learning to handle disagreements responsibly, respectfully and effectively is an art, and almost a lost one at that. Isn't it time you learned to fight fair?

Helping your kids discern between message and messenger

Jen Klein — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 -0800

Teaching your kids effective communication is a critical part of parenting -- and one we often don’t think about enough. With everything there is to teach, communication is just naturally a part of it, right? Well, sort of. There are elements of effective communication that need to be specifically addressed. Discerning between the messenger and the message is one of them.

Monday Mom challenge: Don’t shoot the messenger

Jen Klein — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0800

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Don’t shoot the messenger,” right? And pretty much know how to apply it to criticism or bad news situations. But does it apply in other situations? Do you dismiss words -- even kind ones -- because of who says it? And what if the manner of communication really is the issue?

How to help your family reduce stress through the holidays

Jen Klein — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:30:00 -0800

Do-it-all moms aren’t the only ones who feel stress through the holiday season. Families as a whole and kids in particular can feel more stress during the holidays due to the high level of excitement and expectation. Your family needs your help to manage holiday stress so all of you experience the full happiness of the season.

Monday Mom challenge: Enjoy the holidays -- without losing your mind!

Jen Klein — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0800

Oh, the expectation of the holiday season! What is supposed to be a time of joy and family togetherness often turns mom into a stressed out mess of gotta do this and no time to do that. This year, instead of getting caught up in the holiday madness, enjoy the holidays -- without losing your mind.

How to help your kids break the screen habit

Jen Klein — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:30:00 -0800

Your kids are just like you: They love technology. Between cell phones, video games, laptops and any number of devices, they are connected. They are digital natives. A world without technology is unthinkable. But perhaps they could use a little time away from those screens. How do you break the screen habit with your kids?

Monday Mom challenge: Go on a technology diet

Jen Klein — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:00:00 -0800

Between your smartphone, your tablet, your laptop, your netbook and goodness knows how many other devices, you are one connected mama! But... do you respond to your phone's new mail alarm faster than to your daughter's wail? You need balance. Time to go on a technology diet.

Monday Mom challenge: Get ready for the holidays!

Jen Klein — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:00:00 -0700

Despite your best intentions, it sneaks up on you every year. The holidays. One day it’s a lovely, relaxing fall day, and the next, it’s all out holiday insanity. Gifts, decorating, cooking, entertaining. It’s a sprint-paced marathon from late November to late December. This year, though, you really can be ready. Start now.

Monday Mom challenge: Write it down

Jen Klein — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:00 -0700

How many times has something happened and you have thought to yourself, “I should write that down?” But you didn’t -- and you lost it. Whether it was a particularly cute trip of language by your four-year-old or a feeling you wanted to remember, it’s gone now. As great as Facebook and other social media sites are for encouraging you to put moments like this out there, sometimes you need to write them down in a more permanent, deliberate way.

Plan a fall weekend away -- with the kids!

Jen Klein — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

The school year and fall sports season are off to a great start. Everyone is in their routines and life is good. Awesome! But do you get then feeling? The one that makes you think you could use a little break from the routine? Your kids probably feel the same way, too. So plan a weekend away -- with the kids!

Plan a neighborhood family harvest party

Jen Klein — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:23:00 -0700

Autumn, the time of agricultural harvests, is also a time many think about the things in their life for which they are most grateful. The Thanksgiving holiday, for example, is all about appreciating. But while holidays often focus on family connections, what about the other relationships in your life: Your friends and neighbors? This year, why not throw a neighborhood family harvest party and show your appreciation? Both kids and adults are sure to have blast!

Enjoying seasonal festivals and fairs with your family

Jen Klein — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:00 -0700

The changing colors of the leaves in the trees, the crisp night air and earlier sunsets are just a few of the signals that fall is upon us. The increase in fairs, festivals, apple pie and baseball playoff games also lets us know that a seasonal change is upon us. This fall, make an extra effort to enjoy the seasonal events with your family. Seek out the festivals and fairs and pumpkin picking farms and make some lasting fall memories with your family.

Monday Mom challenge: Have more fun this fall

Jen Klein — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 -0700

The kids are settled into school and the household routine is chugging along. It’s not quite the November/December holiday crazy time -- yet. You are in the midst of the precious few weeks in fall when you can take advantage of the season and the somewhat settled feeling and relax a little. Let yourself de-stress and have some fun in this transitional time.

Channeling your drama queen into...drama!

Jen Klein — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:00:00 -0700

You know what we’re talking about. Your child was born to emote. You have one of those “dramatic” kids, to put it lightly. Everything is a drama, nothing is ever calm and you and your girlfriends have a regular chuckle over where this over-the-top personality might have come from. You love your child dearly, of course, but the drama is, well, something else. What’s a creative, doting mom to do? Get that child into some drama productions, of course!

Monday Mom challenge: Don't be a drama queen

Jen Klein — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:00:00 -0700

It’s true. Life can be pretty dramatic. You’ve heard the adage: “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Well, real life can be more dramatic than many Tony-winning Broadway productions -- and that’s before we add to the drama with exaggeration and inflating issues for our own attention-getting benefit. There’s enough big stuff to go around that we really don’t need to create drama in our lives. Get some perspective on where you’re at -- and don’t be a drama queen.