Emotions

Are you emotionally neglecting your kids?

Michelle Maffei — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:00:00 -0800

You know you love your kids, but are you being emotionally neglectful and causing damage that will last long into your children's adult life? Before you turn yourself in to CPS, discover tips on how to meet their emotional needs to raise happy, healthy kids.

Raising a sensitive child

Maria Mora — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:00:00 -0800

Does your little one burst into tears at the drop of a hat? Does he always feel like someone’s laughing at him? Learn how to nurture your sensitive child and when you should talk to your pediatrician.

Mommy meltdowns: Make it up to the kids

Lisa Steinke — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Let's face it, motherhood has its moments. And every mom has been there — lost her cool with the kids and wished she could take it back. But obviously there's no time machine or you'd be changing a lot of things. So all you can do is learn from what happened and, as you'd tell your kids, try to do better next time. If you haven't had your proudest mommy moment, don't beat yourself up — you're human. Read on for tips on how to make it up to the kids this time and handle it better next time .

Battling a moody tween

Tiernan McKay — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Some parents may think that major moodiness doesn’t surface in full force until the teenage years, but tweens can definitely push the patience when it comes to moody outbursts.

I let my kids curse. Yes, I (*@$&%) do!

Jen Klein — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0700

You’ve cursed in front of your child. Not intentionally, but you called out a name in vain after hitting your thumb with a hammer, or when you were so angry nothing else fit. Congratulations! You taught your child to curse -- in context. Don’t be surprised when your daughter lets loose. Seriously, don’t be surprised. Or horrified. Or react.

Helping your teen deal with life fears

Jen Klein — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0700

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!

Help your child understand emotions

Maria Mora — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0800

Most children go from zero to temper tantrum without pausing to express feelings in a rational way. While there’s no fool proof way to teach kids to communicate, you can work with your child to understand feelings like anger and frustration. Learn to how your child overcome bad feelings and move on to better times.

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.

Emotional fallout: The crisis after the crisis

Jen Klein — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:43:00 -0700

The emergency is over. The crisis done. So why are you so on edge? Why does a siren make you flinch? Why does your daughter hide under the bed every time the wind blows? Why does your son cry when it rains -- and almost as much as the rain?

Helping your child understand natural disasters

Jen Klein — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:38:00 -0700

Natural disasters are difficult enough to manage as adults -- both practically and emotionally. If they scare you and you don’t understand them, just imagine how scary and confusing they can be for kids! Kids need help understanding what natural disasters mean. As scary as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other phenomenon are, you can help your kids understand natural disasters.

What to do when your child’s fear becomes debilitating

Jen Klein — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 06:28:00 -0700

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.

Should you suppress anger?

Jen Klein — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:38:00 -0700

The emotional life of humans is messy, messy stuff. It’s not logical, it’s often unexpected, and it can throw a wrench into the most carefully made plans. Sounds like a toddler, huh? Emotions -- especially harder, more complex emotions -- are uncomfortable and scary. It seems like it would just be easier for everyone to suppress those harder emotions. But is it?

How to help your child manage simple fears

Jen Klein — Wed, 25 May 2011 06:07:00 -0700

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.

Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition

Linda Melone, CSCS — Tue, 24 May 2011 10:11:00 -0700

If you've ever struggled to fit into your skinny jeans, you know the frustration of shedding those last five pounds. Imagine that scenario times 40. Instead of five pounds, you're 200 pounds from your goal weight. The good news: You have the help of a top-notch personal trainer who moves in with you to coach you every step of the way. Can you do it?

Are there “healthy” expressions of anger?

Jen Klein — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:34:00 -0700

As a society -- and as moms -- we seem to put a premium on staying calm and in control. Most of the time that’s probably a good thing. Anger can be a destructive emotion. It’s an uncomfortable emotion. And communicating to our kids that moms never get angry doesn’t seem realistic or reasonable. But is it ever good to get angry? Is it ever okay to show that burning hot emotion, that uncomfortable angry feeling?

Monday Mom challenge: Face your fears

Jen Klein — Mon, 16 May 2011 06:03:00 -0700

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?

Avoid emotional arguments

Noelle Nelson — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:02:00 -0700

Is this scene familiar? You’re upset. He’s done something hurtful -- left you adrift at his office party while he’s flirting with some wanna-be Snooki, or disrespected your mother, or come home drunk -- you name it, he did it. You’re bawling your eyes out: “How could you do this to me?” Loud wail. He’s “Oh for Crissakes,” throws up his hands: “I can’t deal with this” and he’s out the door with a slam.

How to help your angry child

Jen Klein — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:22:00 -0700

You ask your son to unload the dishwasher and he responds with a angry bark. You ask your daughter if she’d like to go to the mall with you and she throws a book. Whether simple request or deeper discussion, the response is deeply emotional and negative -- and it’s just another day. It’s the usual state of your child‘s relationship with the rest of the family, unfortunately. Somehow, your child has evolved into an angry, emotional being. As much as you try to help your child manage his or her feelings, you’re at a loss.

Anxiety: Should we fear natural disasters and global unrest?

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:51:00 -0700

Are recent global events keeping you up at night or consuming your thoughts all day, every day? Even if a natural disaster or a global event doesn’t happen in your backyard, you can still experience mounting – even debilitating – fear and anxiety over your family’s safety. We talked to Dr. Gregory Jantz, author of the upcoming book Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear: Practical Ways to Find Peace , about the health consequences of chronic anxiety and how to put your fears at ease.

Inspiring tips for Alzheimer’s caregivers

Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 08:50:00 -0700

When my husband first received a tentative diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, I initially felt detached and numb. Could this really be happening to us? He’d been forgetting more than was average for someone in their early 70s, yet I felt mainly disbelief. In the months that followed, my family and I experienced a wide range of feelings: sadness, grief, anxiety, resentment, frustration, fear and anger – all totally understandable. If you’re facing emotional duress because a loved one has Alzheimer’s, here are some of the best tips to help you and your loved one on this journey.

Monday Mom challenge: Acknowledge your anger

Jen Klein — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:55:00 -0700

Society and media expect perfection from moms: perky, bright-eyed, even-tempered icons. Not you? Welcome to the club. Motherhood is wonderful, yes, but it’s also messy and imperfect. Sometimes moms even get -- gasp! -- angry! Rather than trying to force yourself into that mold of perfection and deny that you get angry sometimes, let it out. Acknowledge that you’re human and sometimes get angry. You might even become a better mother for it!