Empowerment: Article Center
The experts weigh in! These articles explore empowerment from all sides, giving you helpful hints and tips to help every member of your family say "I Can!"
Article by Illisa Cohen (From Working Mother - November, 2008)
The iconic song title "Don't Worry, Be Happy" may seem overly simple, but it does send a valuable message about being optimistic — one that applies even to little kids. While research on optimism suggests that it's at least partly genetic, experts also say that we can learn to be more positive, no matter how we're wired.
Study Tells Parents: Let Your Kids See You Fight
Article By Shannon Firth (From Finding Dulcinea– April 4, 2009)
A new study says fighting in front of your children may not be as destructive as experts once thought. Some quarrels may even provide developmental lessons.
Resilience: Ingredient List
Article by Dr. Karen Reivich
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, to learn from failure, to be motivated by challenges and to believe in your own abilities to deal with the stress and difficulties in life.
Article by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Back talk--when your teenager rudely tells you that you are a tyrant or an idiot--has to be one of the hardest things for parents to deal with. Respect for parents is highly valued in every culture. Ways of showing respect differ from family to family.
Article By Kyla Boyse, R.N, University of Michigan Health System
Sibling rivalry is the jealousy, competition and fighting between brothers and sisters. It is a concern for almost all parents of two or more kids. There are lots of things parents can do to help their kids get along better and work through conflicts in positive ways.
Self-Efficacy versus Self-Esteem
Article by Dr. Karen Reivich
When our children are upset, our first instinct is often to soothe them with what I call a “self-esteem enhancer:” praise to immediately make them feel better. These statements are often very general, like “you were great!” or “you’re the best!”
New Pressures on Working Moms, Families
Article By Mary Dulaney (From CareerBuilder.com– May 7, 2009)
In these trying economic times, moms are finding the balancing act between family and work is more challenging than ever.
Raising a sensitive child
Article by Sue Douglass Fliess, education.com
He cries at the drop of a hat – or a toy, in this case. She crumbles if you raise your voice at her, even slightly. He seems to have a bionic sense of smell. Before you write your child off as a drama queen, consider the fact that this behavior may be innate.
Article by Robert Barnett (from Parenting magazine—January 2007)
Ask a mom if she's happier now that she has a child and she'll usually say yes. In fact, around the world, children top the list of the most enjoyable things in life.
How Not to Talk to Your Kids
Article by Po Bronson (from New York magazine—February 2007)
According to a survey conducted by Columbia University, 85 percent of American parents think it’s important to tell their kids that they’re smart.
Dealing with a Child's Anger
Article by Rose Allen, University of Minnesota Extension
Anger. It's one of our feelings, and it's an okay feeling to have. Just as children have a right to be happy, sad, lonely, or bored, they also have a right to feel angry.
Praise That Builds a Child's Self-Esteem
Article By Joan E. LeFebvre, University of Wisconsin
In an effort to enhance their children's self-esteem, parents often use praise to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of their children. Obviously, recognizing our children's positive behavior is more likely to build self-esteem than dwelling on problems. But praise is not always uplifting.
The Highly Sensitive Child: Parenting Strategies
Article by FamilyEducation.com
A very sensitive child is not an easy child to raise. Fortunately, certain parenting patterns can help this child mature into a creative, insightful person.