Yes, it’s still summer. Thank goodness! But school will be here before we know it. Last year was an unusual school year for most students, and your child may need more time to adjust as in-person learning resumes. After all, they have been home with Mom and Dad for a very long time. Here’s what
Back-to-school tips: What you can do now to prepare your child for school in-person Read More »
We’ve all been there. That moment when the situation goes from bad to worse. It’s usually in public, or at a playgroup where you worry about judgy moms. Right? But what if you could use parenting de-escalation strategies the next time your child loses it? Using de-escalation strategies is not just to save face as
How to use Parenting de-escalation strategies to avoid meltdowns Read More »
Willful behavior is worrisome, but good news…sometimes, your child may not be acting willfully at all. Your defiant child may be going through something else entirely. Case in point: The task was simple, or seemingly simple. My young friend had stepped on another friend’s fingers and he needed to do the socially appropriate thing and
Rethinking Willful behavior: Is my child defiant or is something else going on? Read More »
Inconsistent reinforcement sounds like a big concept, but I promise it’s not! A child–whether atypically developing or typically–will repeat behaviors that are reinforced or rewarded (this is positive reinforcement) and will most likely not repeat behaviors that are not reinforced or punished. We all understand this concept as human beings; after all, we see it
The danger of inconsistent reinforcement (and how to avoid it) Read More »
When to use punishment in parenting is a hot topic. It’s also pretty commonly used in parenting, and it doesn’t necessarily deserve the bad rap it gets. Punishment, from a behavioral perspective, is just a method of decreasing behavior and helps us to learn what things are not good for us. A burn from the
When to use punishment in parenting: things to know Read More »
Any attention is better than no attention! When it comes to children and attention, is that true? And if it is true, is it correct? And if it’s correct, why? And more importantly, WHY?! Attention is very valuable to children, and not just children, but people. We need it and we crave it and we
Children and attention: is any attention better than no attention? Read More »
You may be thinking, “No! Of course not!” But yes, you may be undermining your child’s success. How do I know? We ALL do it! Need an example? I have plenty. I first noticed it during math homework, but, as much as I wish it wasn’t true, math wasn’t the only problem. It was happening
Are you undermining your child’s success? Read More »
“THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!” Whatever it is–tantrums, hitting, whining—there are childhood behaviors that just reach their shelf life, like, yesterday, and you want them to be gone. There’s a trick to make this happen right? Easy parenting tools I can use? Sort of. Well, not exactly… but don’t give up yet. Stay with me.
Easy parenting tools: The one ‘trick’ your parenting toolbox needs Read More »
…and why it sabotages their parenting In my job as a behavior analyst, I have a front row seat to people’s parenting behavior. The parenting mistakes and the wins. I get to be in the trenches with people as they are working on being the best parent they can be and it is an honor—and
Six parenting mistakes I wish parents would stop doing… Read More »
Being a mom is a full-time gig…actually, what’s MORE than full-time? Full and three-quarters? Being a mom is something like that. And when you’re a special needs mom, caring for an atypically-developing child, it can feel even more draining at times. We all need to recharge our batteries, but how? If you’re reading this as
Self-care for special needs moms Read More »