Teaching kids friendship skills begins with parent example

Making friends (and keeping them) is one of the most important skills kids learn. But it's not learned with textbooks or lesson plans. Building healthy relationships is a hands-on activity. When kids struggle to make friends, it's easy for to blames schools. But schools can only do so much to foster friendship skills. The best lessons begin and end at home. Here are ways parents can teach kids to make friends. Teaching kids friendship skills begins with parent example 

Enforcing Rules with Kids--Easier Said Than Done

I'm going to admit something that I'm not too proud of--sometimes, I'm a hypocrite. I dispense parenting advice that I have trouble following myself. Don't get me wrong--I believe in what I say. I just don't always practice what I preach.

Take the issue of enforcing rules--I'm not a total failure, but let's just say my batting average is pretty low. <---this mom is a pushover (shh-don't tell my husband or kids). I find it much easy to set forth the boundaries than to follow through on consequences. Several factors contribute to this shortcoming.  Enforcing Rules with Kids--Easier Said Than Done 

How to Get Your Teen to Respect You Without Compromising Your Integrity

How to Get Your Teen to Respect You Without Compromising Your Integrity I've heard it said that 'today's teens lack respect for authority'. Are teens disrespectful of parents of adults? How can you make your teenager respect you without compromising integrity? Here's how to teach teens respect. Lead by example. Healthy respect begins with healthy role models. Do you show respect for others? Are you polite in public, to family members and co-workers, with authority figures? If you engage in sarcasm, mocking, shaming or rude behavior, don't expect your kids to act any differently. Read more...