http://www.sheknows.com/authors/jen-klein/articles Mon, 13 Jun 2011 07:01:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/832515/monday-mom-challenge-make-and-keep-a-deal-with-yourself You don’t have to be The Donald to be an expert deal-maker. In fact, the negotiating and deal-making skills of most moms rival those of Fortune 500 CEOs. We might even be better! Sure, Donald can negotiate a real estate deal to make millions of dollars look like a bargain, but can he get a toddler to eat those carrots? Can he make feuding teenagers reach a compromise? Probably not. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/832515/monday-mom-challenge-make-and-keep-a-deal-with-yourself Jen Klein Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:45:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831583/5-ways-to-help-your-teen-not-give-in-to-negative-peer-pressure The teen years are no picnic -- for your child or for you as a parent. There are hormones, school pressure and mood swings -- and perhaps the largest looming of them all: Peer pressure. Will your angelic daughter succumb to the influence of her peers and start making less than stellar choices? Will your sweet mama’s boy turn into a being you don’t recognize, either inside or out, because of the influence of his friends? While there is no guarantee it won’t happen that way, you can take some steps to try to head it off. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831583/5-ways-to-help-your-teen-not-give-in-to-negative-peer-pressure Jen Klein Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:30:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831581/using-peer-pressure-to-your-parenting-advantage You likely remember your parents warning you about the dangers of peer pressure. “If your friend jumped off a cliff, would you do it, too?” or other some such admonition. But, lo and behold, when the social dynamic was different -- say you were hanging out with the honor society kids -- suddenly your parents were admonishing you to do what they did. Huh? Wasn’t the influence of the honor roll kids “peer pressure,“ too? Double standard, much? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831581/using-peer-pressure-to-your-parenting-advantage Jen Klein Mon, 06 Jun 2011 07:54:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831321/how-to-recognize-when-peer-influence-turns-to-pressure As much as we talk about helping kids to resist “peer pressure,” it exists. Even for the most self-assured, independent-thinking child, social dynamics and peer relationships are an influence on behaviors and attitudes. Your kids may tell you that peer pressure isn’t so bad -- and may actually believe that themselves -- but the role of peers in actions and decisions making is strong, and sometimes almost invisible. When your daughter chooses a specific shirt in the store or your son pushes a little too hard during gym, peer influence likely played a role. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831321/how-to-recognize-when-peer-influence-turns-to-pressure Jen Klein Mon, 30 May 2011 06:50:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831319/monday-mom-challenge-dont-give-in-to-peer-pressure How many times have you had a talk with your child about peer pressure and social dynamics? Think for yourself, you say. Don’t allow others’ actions and pressure to interfere with what you know to be correct, you implore. But at the same time, are you giving in to peer pressure in your social group? Peer pressure isn’t just for kids! http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831319/monday-mom-challenge-dont-give-in-to-peer-pressure Jen Klein Tue, 09 Aug 2011 06:28:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831001/what-to-do-when-your-childs-fear-becomes-debilitating Your child is afraid of something. Big or little, every time your child encounters, or even might encounter this thing, there’s a scene. A big, attention attracting, emotionally exhausting scene. You thought she would outgrow it -- but, nope, it’s getting worse. You’ve tried logic -- but your son manages to twist it to justify his fear. It’s getting to the point you are as afraid of your child’s fear as your child is afraid of whatever -- spiders, birds, lima beans. You’ve got to do something before the whole family’s emotional health is damaged. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831001/what-to-do-when-your-childs-fear-becomes-debilitating Jen Klein Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830999/helping-your-teen-deal-with-life-fears Was your son afraid of spiders when he was little? Did he outgrow it? Did you ever laugh with a girlfriend, expressing relief at not having to manage that little fear, those crazy kid emotions? Well, karmic justice being what it is, those fears aren’t over. In fact, your child may have some bigger ones brewing. Your teen, in particular, may be dealing with weighty fears about life in general — and they are some of the same fears you may have in life: fear of not achieving happiness, meeting expectations, reaching “success” or just figuring the whole adult life thing out. You wish it was just a fear of spiders! http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830999/helping-your-teen-deal-with-life-fears Jen Klein Wed, 25 May 2011 06:07:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830749/how-to-help-your-child-manage-simple-fears It’s that shriek you know well. “Mommy, I’m scared!” What is it this time, you wonder and groan? A dog? A dust bunny? Something else you know to be perfectly fine? But your child is scared. Your child has developed a fear, however irrational it seems to you, and it must be managed -- before it becomes a true phobia. Fear is a very normal human emotion, but helping your little sweetheart figure all that out can be as challenging for you as that shriek. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830749/how-to-help-your-child-manage-simple-fears Jen Klein Mon, 16 May 2011 06:03:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830747/monday-mom-challenge-face-your-fears Everybody is afraid of something: illness, failure, lightning, spiders. Even if a person claims to be afraid of nothing, there’s a pretty high likelihood that person has at least experienced fear in the past. It’s a very basic human emotion -- often a protective instinct and sometimes associated with hope and expectation. No matter what your fears, they are a part of your life, and you have to learn to live with them and manage them. Sometimes, though, fear borders on phobia and holds you back from life. Is it time to face your fears so you can move forward? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830747/monday-mom-challenge-face-your-fears Jen Klein Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:57:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830477/adventure-outings-with-the-family You’ve done the bike rides and hikes and had a great time. But your kids are getting older and they are ready for more. You’re thinking it’s time to take the adrenaline up a level, to have some outings as a family that push the limits. Sure, a little riskier in some ways, but there must be businesses out there ready to offer adventure activities to families in as safe a manner as possible. Yes, there are. And your family is going to have a blast. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830477/adventure-outings-with-the-family Jen Klein Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:28:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830475/how-to-keep-your-adrenaline-seeking-child-safe You’ve got one of those kids who just loves adrenaline and to push his or herself beyond the comfort zone. Most of the time everything is fine, but you do find yourself gasping every now and again -- and you’ve become quite skilled with the antibacterial ointment and bandages. On one hand you don’t necessarily want to limit your adventuresome child, but you are worried about safety. How do you keep this kind of a child safe -- or at least keep injuries to a minimum? And can you? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830475/how-to-keep-your-adrenaline-seeking-child-safe Jen Klein Tue, 17 May 2011 16:22:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830305/why-is-one-child-a-risk-taker-and-the-other-a-couch-potato Every day mothers across the country and across the world marvel: How can two children from the same home be so different?! Same mother, same father, same household expectations….yet one is a risk-taker and would think nothing of jumping on a skateboard without a helmet to try a major hill and the other is firmly attached to the relative safety of the couch and thinks adventure is trying a new video game. One craves adrenaline and the other fears it. As a mom, how do you handle these two very risk-different kids and their very different comfort zones? How do you help you kids balance their inherent risk-taking natures? http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830305/why-is-one-child-a-risk-taker-and-the-other-a-couch-potato Jen Klein Mon, 23 May 2011 06:27:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830303/monday-mom-challenge-take-a-risk Were you, in your youth, a risk-taker? Before you became a mom, did steep hills on your mountain bike not faze you in the least? Did you actually jump out of a plane? Was adrenaline your friend? And did you, after having kids, drop all that? Are you all about attached to the ground safety now? Has your comfort zone become smaller and smaller? Maybe it’s time to break out of the classic mom mold and get in touch with your inner adrenaline junkie. It’s time to take a risk. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/830303/monday-mom-challenge-take-a-risk Jen Klein Wed, 18 May 2011 09:17:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829795/3-tips-for-helping-your-child-establish-strong-interpersonal-relationships Teaching our kids about relationships -- friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships and professional relationships -- is one of the every day constants of parenting. And it’s one we don’t really think about -- much less talk about -- nearly as much as we should. Kids need a huge amount of guidance in learning how to manage interpersonal relationships: When they're good and when they're not so good, when they‘re new and when they are under repair, and under many other circumstances. And they need it from us. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829795/3-tips-for-helping-your-child-establish-strong-interpersonal-relationships Jen Klein Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:30:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829791/how-to-repair-your-relationship-with-your-child If we’re being honest, we have to admit that sometimes we really mess up in our relationship with our kids. As much as we talk about cutting ourselves slack for not being perfect, there are times we mess up big time, and we end up with work to do to repair and rebuild the relationship with our child. It’s a horrible feeling for both of you, but the sooner you start repairing, the sooner you and your child will be back on track. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829791/how-to-repair-your-relationship-with-your-child Jen Klein Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:24:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829617/how-to-mend-fences-with-your-extended-family While many of us count “family” as an area of primary importance in our lives, many of us also may have a little secret: a rift with a member of that family. Whether over something “little” or “big,” mistakes are made and feelings get hurt in even the most loving and tight-knit of extended families. Rifts happen, sadly, and whether they are short-lived or of longer duration, it takes some effort to repair and rebuild the relationship. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829617/how-to-mend-fences-with-your-extended-family Jen Klein Mon, 09 May 2011 06:17:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829615/monday-mom-challenge-repair-your-romance Every romance has ups and downs. And when a romantic pair is also a parental pair, it can take extra work to keep the romance alive. There’s much you can endure and ride out -- but you may occasionally find you need to engage in a bit of romantic relationships repair. Whether or not a specific relationship mistake has been made, you need to rebuild and restore that lovin’ feeling. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829615/monday-mom-challenge-repair-your-romance Jen Klein Wed, 25 May 2011 09:20:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829163/seasonal-activities-that-build-the-family-bond You’ve got your daily and weekly routine down pat. You even have a couple of monthly activities that are important to your family’s centeredness. While in some ways that may seem like enough, there are a few more opportunities to establish special family traditions. In the effort to create a grounded, connected family on the path of life together, all efforts count: The day-to-day, the month-to-month and the season-to-season. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829163/seasonal-activities-that-build-the-family-bond Jen Klein Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:15:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829161/monthly-rituals-that-keep-the-family-connected Keeping your family together is a full-time job, but that doesn’t mean it’s all work. Planning the regular rituals that become part of the family lore and tradition take effort at the outset, but they are well worth the return in fun and family bonding. Establishing rituals and traditions beyond major holidays creates a shared foundation for the family story. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829161/monthly-rituals-that-keep-the-family-connected Jen Klein Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:09:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829157/weekly-rituals-that-keep-the-family-connected While the early childhood years are often taken over with the need just to get through the day -- and what long, long days they are! -- as kids get older and lives get busier, we tend to look for more and different ways to maintain the family sense of connection. Routine and ritual become tradition in themselves as we look for regular and frequent ways to focus on family togetherness and connection. If that regular ritual has been lost for your family, you can create it anew. Start by creating new weekly rituals. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/829157/weekly-rituals-that-keep-the-family-connected Jen Klein