Talking To Kids

Talking to kids about tragedy

Maureen Wallace — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 -0700

When evil strikes, our parental instinct is to reassure our kids that everything will be OK. But what can really help them feel safe is a measured blend of listening and honesty — once we've calmed down ourselves, of course!

Boston Marathon bombings: How to talk to your kids about tragedy

Kori Ellis — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:10:00 -0700

Tragic news spread quickly today of the bombings at the Boston Marathon. For parents who are still processing their own feelings about the horrific situation, it can be difficult to talk to our kids about it.

Learn how to parent after tragedy

Sarah W. Caron — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:00:00 -0700

When the unthinkable happens to your family, parenting becomes a careful dance where you tread gently. But as time wears on, it's necessary to get back to your version of normal — including ordering the kids to clean their rooms. But how do you get there? And how do you allow yourself to fall back into your norms?

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.

9-year-old girl gives birth in Mexico

Monica Beyer — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:00:00 -0800

A 9-year-old girl is in good health after delivering a baby in Mexico. This case has understandably shocked parents everywhere, but it also leads to a discussion about how we can let our kids know that they can and should talk to us, as parents, if they are being abused.

Parenting Guru: Help your kids feel safe at school

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:00:00 -0800

Our hearts break every time we think about the families in Newtown, Connecticut, and how they’re struggling to cope with the horror of last Friday’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In the midst of our sadness, we’re faced with needing to respond to our own kids’ queries about the attack, often clueless as to how much, or how little to say. My three elementary-aged kids want some details, for example: How many guns did the shooter have? How did he get in if the doors were locked? Did the kids see blood? Deep breath. Thankfully, Nancy Berns, associate professor of sociology at Drake University, an expert in grief, death and violence and author of Closure: The Rush to End Grief and What It Costs Us, stepped in to give us all guidance.

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.

Parenting Guru: Talking about school shootings

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:00:00 -0700

The tragic shooting at Ohio’s Chardon High School last month shocked and saddened the nation and left kids asking about their school. “Talking to kids about safety doesn’t have to be scary,” says Amy Tiemann, Ph.D., author of Courageous Parents, Confident Kids: Letting Go So You Both Can Grow, and a senior program leader for Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International, an educational nonprofit that teaches personal safety skills. “If done right, it can be empowering.”

The birds and the bees and all that jazz

Geralyn Broder Murray — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:00:00 -0700

Listen to Your Mothers is a space to come together with the ones who understand the maternal struggle and joy best -- in the hopes of turning motherhood into one, strong sisterhood. In this installment of Listen to Your Mothers, Geralyn Broder Murray tackles the big questions from her little one.

How to talk to your kids about natural disasters

Sarah W. Caron — Wed, 25 May 2011 08:25:00 -0700

When natural disasters -- like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes -- happen you can’t shield kids from the news and they often have many questions. So, how do you talk to your kids about natural disasters in ways they will understand?

How to handle kids' crushes

Michelle Maffei — Thu, 19 May 2011 06:39:00 -0700

Whether it’s a secret crush on a cute kid from class or a crush on a teen pop star, chances are that your child’s first crush will occur before your youngster’s teen years. Concepts of first love, first kisses and interest in the opposite sex usually are reserved for teen years, yet grade school yards are filled with boys chasing girls, girls kissing boys and love for tween idols. From cooties to crushes, find out how to deal with your child when he or she enters the boy crazy and girl crazy phase of childhood.

Teens and responsible dating

Laura Willard — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:11:00 -0700

Most parents aren’t exactly excited by the prospect of their teenager beginning to date. Really, it’s the sort of thing that can keep a mom up at night. However, no matter how much you dread it, at some point, your teenager will want to start dating. What’s a mom to do?

Monday Mom challenge: Improve your communication skills

Jen Klein — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:41:00 -0700

How many things happen in your life that boil down to "miscommunication?" How often does something not quite turn out as hoped or expected? Do you just chalk it up to "it happens" or do damage control and move on, or do you stop to think how that could have been avoided? Some situations are difficult to control but how often do you think about how better communication could have avoided the situation?