Disciplining misbehaving kids is often a difficult and emotion-laden task. If only you could figure out a way to tame your temper! Our oldest son Daniel sometimes said to Lynne, “Mom, you just bursted all over us!” And he was…
“He hit me!!!” “She took my marker!” Have you ever thought – “I am just refereeing 24/7, and I certainly have better things to do with my day. This is not okay! The fighting needs to stop.” Unfortunately, the more…
“You’re dumb!”“No, YOU’RE dumb!”“Well, you’re a loser!”“I know you are, but what am I?”“You’re a butthead!” “MOMMMMMMMMM!!!!” Name-calling between children is a challenge for many families. Once kids get on a roll of slinging names back and forth it can…
In our Sibling Conflict online course we teach something called The Peace Process, using the steps Calm, Understand, Solve, Celebrate. The story below is from a mom of three who has implemented this process in her own family. We have three…
Left to their own devices, toddlers form “rules of possession” that can last a lifetime if not understood and addressed by parents. Does this list look familiar? If I like it, it’s mine. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.…
Sibling conflict can be discouraging as parents wonder, “Will these kids ever learn to get along? Will they ever be close?” Jim and I wondered that. Our online course, Sibling Conflict: From Bickering to Bonding, is packed with the insights…
When kids fight, parents typically try to resolve things by telling the kids they have to say they’re sorry. While parents may be aware that this can be a very shallow, “go through the motions” sort of consequence for kids, they may…
When kids make a mistake, especially when they hurt others, most parents would agree that it’s important to learn repentance — for kids to feel sorry for what they’ve done. But in our pursuit of this goal, many parents settle…
In our family, one of the realities we face is siblings who fight. I tend to want to stop my children’s rivalry in its tracks, but I have found that I sometimes contribute to the problem rather than solve it. Ultimately, I really…
It was a Sunday evening. I was emotionally and physically done for the day and looking forward to a quiet house. Suddenly I overheard squabbling about who was the rightful owner of a large stuffed panda bear. My engagement with…
