The Blog
Our best advice when it’s tough with kids:breathe, laugh, dance, sing, hug, call a friend. Be gentle with yourself, you’re not done growing up yet. This won’t last and you are not alone.
Parents Make Mistakes Too – How to Apologize
When I was a kid occasionally my dad would lose his temper. I’m sure he had a decent reason for feeling upset, a long day of work plus maybe I was roller skating through the house, making a lot of noise, or fighting with my brother or sister. I remember seeing his...
Secrets to Taming Tantrums, Part 2
You might say it’s a child having… A tantrum A melt down Big feelings Getting to the end of their rope Flipping their lid. Whatever you call it, we’ve all experienced it. Every parent struggles, at one point or another, with helping their child through an upset. For...
Secrets to Taming Tantrums, Part 1
No matter how old your kids are… 2, 12, or 22 years old, at some point they’ve been overcome with emotions. Even us, mature adults have “grown up tantrums” occasionally. We might call it road rage, over-eating, over-drinking, over-shopping, yelling, door slamming, or...
One-On-One Time With Kids for a Closer Relationship
I’ve been thinking a lot about “rough spots” in families this week. It seems like no matter how healthy our relationships are, at some point in time things will get a little tough--maybe you even have days, weeks or months of a rough spot. In our family we’ve had a...
Math Without Tears: Emotional Support of Kids with Math
In this video from the Happily Family Facebook Page that we talk about how to emotionally support kids with difficult topics (especially math, but also sports, reading, writing, etc.). We talk about the fixed vs. growth mindsets from the book by Carol Dweck...
Compassion or Competition – Which is Stronger?
As a compassionate parent do you feel like you have to justify or defend your parenting practices to others? Do other people, even family members and friends, watch with disapproval while you talk to your kids? Do people think your view of children is “too soft” or...
4 Words to Create Connection (Even During Anger)
In our house, there are craft supplies covering the table, presents waiting to be wrapped, a tree that needs to be decorated and cards that need to be written. There is a heightened sense of gratitude, thinking of others, excitement and anticipation for time with...
7 Reasons to Tell Your Kids the Truth About Santa (And Still Keep the Magic in Christmas)
First off, I want to acknowledge that although I grew up celebrating Christmas, not everyone does. Secondly, I’m questioning the long-standing Christmas tradition of telling kids “If you aren’t good, Santa won’t bring you any gifts” and shining light on how to talk to...
Being Present with Family in Tough Times
A couple of weeks ago I emailed a group of parents and asked what they did with their family to get centered in times of uncertainty. I heard back from so many of them, with heartfelt replies of extraordinary wisdom and courage, that I have to share! I heard from a...