October 26th, 2010
Question:
My son just started kindergarten this year & he gets into a lot of trouble. He tells me he’s going to have a good day & then he gets home & I find out he did some really bad things. That’s if I don’t actually get a phone call from the school beforehand. I have talked & talked about the things that are unacceptable-until I’m blue in the face, he just doesn’t seem to get it, I guess. I feel like I am about to lose my mind with all this craziness. Any advice anyone can give me (from someone who has experienced these sort of things before). He is a young 5. I mean, he did just turn 5 right b-4 school started. I almost think he is just too immature. I feed my son a balanced diet with very little sugar, so it’s not that he is hyperactive. I do not believe that my expectations are beyond the normal realm of things. And, discipline & consequences are administered; I do follow through every time. I cannot count the numerous times that I have removed all of his toys from his room for punishment/consequences. Examples of things my son has gotten in trouble for are…spitting on people, including his teacher, throwing scissors in the classroom & knocking over desks & chairs. He punched a child in the stomach last week & the first week of school he bit somone in the face.
I am MORTIFIED about all of this. I am a single mother, so I have NO ONE to back me up & help me through this. He does visit his dad on weekends. WHAT I WOULDN’T DO TO BE A FLY ON THE WALL THERE! His dad is really uncooperative with me about everything & I KNOW that my son can sense the tension he brings forth toward me. I mean, this man REFUSED to give me personal information I asked for about his family tree & friends he had & how he felt about our sons’ birth when it happened…I asked for it in an attempt to complete our sons baby book. Is that the most insane thing any of you have ever heard?! I was like…”WHAT?” He moved in with this woman & married her (secretly), which I only know because I saw the ring on his finger & he refuses to give me her name or his new address. Something is REALLY wrong with that, to me. I have a right to know where my son is at all times-do I not?! I would ask him to give up all rights if I thought he’d agree, but I know this man will do EVERYTHING he can to make my life a living hell. What to do?
By the way people, I’m not an idiot, and I really would not be asking this question if I hadn’t tried everything & wasn’t at my wits end?! This is my second time posting this question…I need some really informative answers…PLEASE! Thank you in advance.
Posted in Discipline Advice | 4 Comments »
August 20th, 2010
Product Description
Based on a large body of research about healthy development in children ages 8–12, this guide offers parents practical how-tos for handling issues that arise in the preteen years, including peer pressure, bullying, friendship, self-discipline, money, body image, and good eating habits. In addition, a self-care section for parents highlights the many stresses adults face—job demands, financial pressures, isolation, perfectionism, and self-doubt—and urges parents to attend to their own needs. Sympathetic and respectful to both children and parents, the guide never suggests that kids this age are troublesome. Real-life parenting stories are included to encourage and inspire, along with parenting tips, self-r… More >>
Parenting Preteens with a Purpose: Navigating the Middle Years
Posted in Books on Parenting | 2 Comments »
August 19th, 2010
Product Description
The Classic Bestselling Book Completely Revised and Updated
It takes more than common sense to raise a healthy, happy and bright child. The first three years of life are crucial to a child’s proper development. With the right information and advice, parents can help to assure their child’s future success and happiness. This unique and easy-to-follow book teaches parents how they can encourage their young child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual development–from infancy to their third birthday.
Positive Parenting, the classic parenting book, returns with new and revised material ready to guide the next generation of parents. With practical, positive information, including detai… More >>
Positive Parenting: Raising Healthy Children From Birth to Three Years
Posted in Books on Parenting | 2 Comments »
July 27th, 2010
Product Description
Launching a child from home is second only to child-birth in its impact on a family. Parents can end up reeling with the empty-nest blues, while teens find their powers of self-reliance stretched to the breaking point. During the time of upheaval that begins senior year of high school with the nerve-wracking college application process and continues into the first year of life away from home, The Launching Years is a trusted resource for keeping every member of the family sane. From weathering the emotional onslaught of impending separation to effectively parenting from afar, from avoiding the slump of “senioritis” to handling the newfound independence and the experimentation with alcohol and sexuali… More >>
The Launching Years: Strategies for Parenting from Senior Year to College Life
Posted in Books on Parenting | 5 Comments »
July 23rd, 2010
Question:
I am a 14 year old girl who needs advice of parents of teens my age.. i was at a friends house today and she invited me to go with her to Flordia over next year spring break with her family and i want to go badly but how at a parents perspective how should i ask to get a ‘yes’ from parents who are protective?
Posted in Parenting Advice for Teens | 6 Comments »
July 4th, 2010
Question:
I am a stepmother in a blended family. I have a son (8) from a previous marriage, two step daughters (12) & (13) and a daughter (5) with my husband. We have always disagreed on discipline when it came to the kids. I am more strict and he sits back and watches. We have been through therapy once, with no positive outcome. My step daughters are getting older and the lack of respect it’s getting on my very last nerve after 6 years. Last night my oldest called told me I was dumb, which is one of many words not allowed in our house, while my husband sat next to her and pretended not to hear. They are constantly disrespecting me and don’t mind most of the time when asked to do something. I am constantly fighting with my husband trying to get him to discipline his children but he always pushes the blame off on their mother. Long story short, she cheated, they shared custody (week on, week off) until we married, now we have them every other weekend and Wednesdays over night. We get along great when they aren’t here. He never has to discipline my son or our daughter since I seem to do it all but I’m sick of being the bad guy because he wants to let his girls run the house to make up for his divorce. I feel my husband has no respect for me since he doesn’t make his kids respect me. Like I said, 6 years. I’m sick of arguing in circles and no change. I am at my wits end and I’m not sure what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I guess I should have added the fact that there has always been a lack of discipline from their mother. They are very spoiled and allowed to do whatever since she isn’t home most of the time they are with her. Unless stepdad is home, he doesn’t take crap from them. I am 25, my husband is 39, his ex is 36. This could be useful information. After 6 years his ex still won’t speak to me. We’ve never argued or had words, just the way she is so I haven’t talked to her about it. I think it would probably be as pointless as talking to my husband since they share the same views on disciplining the girls.
Posted in Discipline Advice | 6 Comments »
June 26th, 2010
- ISBN13: 9781572245938
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Parents are supposed to be at their best when their children are at their worst. The only problem is that parents are people, too, and are susceptible to knee-jerk reactions, anger, and fears that make perfect parenting nearly impossible. But it is possible to keep your long-term parenting goals in mind, give yourself credit for what you’re doing right, and most importantly, enjoy the rewards and joy of raising a child. The Joy of Parenting is a compassionate guide for parents who sometimes feel overwhelmed-that is, all parents. The acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills in this book will help you develop the flexibility and mindfulness to help your child make critical transitions and gracefull… More >>
The Joy of Parenting: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Guide to Effective Parenting in the Early Years
Posted in Books on Parenting | 2 Comments »
June 13th, 2010
Product Description
Here is direct and wise guidance from a professional with over twenty years experience at the highly regarded Barnard College Center for Toddler Development. In Parenting Your Toddler, Ballen and toddler expert Shimm offer help to parents on major issues like limit-setting; first-child syndrome; toilet training; taking a vacation without guilt; what to say when your two-year-old doesn’t want you to leave for work; how to break up fights between children over toys; and how to know if your caregiver is good for your toddler. With an easy-to-use format that features useful anecdotes, checklists, and questions and answers, this authoritative guide will help you navigate the toddler years with solid, practical, an… More >>
Parenting Your Toddler: The Expert’s Guide To The Tough And Tender Years
Posted in Books on Parenting | 4 Comments »
May 22nd, 2010
Question:
I am a single mother with a nine month old daughter. When I found out I was pregnant my daughters dad left me and told me he wanted nothing to do with our daughter. He has never seen her or even tried to see her. I am now dating a old friend of mine . We have been doing very well. and we get along so great. However, he hates the fact that I had a child with someone else. I have told him numerous times that I am over her dad and the situation that happened. Its been almost two years and Believe it or not I am way over it. I dont care for her dad, I dont think about him I dont love him. What he has done to our daughter is so cold-hearted . So i will never forgive him. I told the guy that I am dating that under our circumstances ( me and my daughters dad) that i could care less about him. there is no way I would ever take him back. I can say I dislike him so much. He says that he just cant believe and he just doesnt think that I am over it. He tells me he loves me but last night he told me he wanted a break because he thinks things are moving to fast and he says he needs time . he says he’s not only jumping into something with me but he is jumping into a family. It scares him. He has only seen my daughter one time and he said when he saw her it hurt him because he knew she wasnt his. the whole thing is it bothers him . He tells me that my daughter is so young and that maybe it would be different if she were older… By the way he is 27. I am so hurt because this is a guy that I saw future with .someone I feel comfortable bringing my daughter around… what can this mean. I am so confused. How can i make things better. i really want to know why he waited this long to tell me. please help.
Posted in Advice for Single Parents | 17 Comments »
May 13th, 2010
Question:
My nephew had a drug test today and they found Marijuana in his system. Although the doctor said that the marijuana traces could be from either him smoking or being around someone who smokes it. My nephew’s parents got divorced when he was a baby, and even though his father lives in the same town, there has been neglect on his father’s side. His father has a habit of pushing my nephew away, and making it my nephew’s responsibility to call him if he wants to see him. There’s more and yahoo answers doesn’t give much room to tell all of the story. But, what I do know is that my nephew has been lying about his homework, and is very lazy, and has a very poor attitude about school. It takes an act of God to get him to do stuff, and he’s not very enthused with life. He has a ho hum attitude a lot of the time. Has there been any teenager that has gone thru this, or a parent that has gone thru this? What did you do? How did you help your child? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thx.
Although the doctor said it could either be him smoking the stuff, or was around someone who smoked, his personality is telling me that he is involved in smoking. He is already trying to lie his way out of this. Even with the results. His father had a meeting with my sister (my nephew’s mom), and his instant reaction was, “Well he can’t come over any more and be around the boys because he’s a bad influence, and I’m going to kick his A#$”. This is part of how his father acts. He immediately doesn’t want to deal with my nephew, and or he just wants to react with harshness. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.
I’m out of state, so I’m unable to help by physically being there for him. I do talk to him often on the phone. When I do go and visit, I do spend a lot of time with him and my niece. And we do talk about a lot of stuff. I just sent my sister some links for troubled teens and I posed the suggestion of taking him to a boys ranch, or a troubled teen ranch for more professional help.
Posted in Parenting Advice for Teens | 4 Comments »