Are you struggling with a picky eater? In my practice I see many parents worry about food and whether or not their children are getting enough nutrients into their systems. They nag, threaten, bribe, and sometimes fight over meals. This type of tension is not conducive to getting kids to eat well.   So, what' .....

Does bribing your kids work?Giving a child a choice empowers him/her unlike punishment, rewards, or bribes. The use of these methods belongs to the authoritarian system and the firm establishment of power.  In a system of equals, a job gets done because it needs doing, and satisfaction comes from the harmony of two people doing a job together.  In a system of rewards and praise, kids can easily get into the habit of doing work only when they get a payoff.  An attitude develops of &ldq .....

Children lie for the same reasons adults do.  They do it to get themselves out of a sticky situation, or if they are afraid of punishment or rejection.  They do it if they feel threatened or trapped.  They do it to impress or manipulate or they just think that lying will making things easier for everyone.  Often, lying is a sign of low self-esteem and kids do it to make themselves look better. To begin to corr .....

There is so much in the media that that makes kids believe that the world is a scary place. Whether it's reports on tornadoes or a shooting spree at a school, children can be easily shaken by these frightening events. And parents can feel overwhelmed when kids ask tough questions that speak to those fears such as "Are we safe at school?" or "Do we live in a tornado .....

It's quite common for children to have fears. Some don't like climbing up the jungle gym at the park. Some don't like the water and refuse to go swimming. Others can't settle down at night because they're afraid of the dark or monsters.  Parents are not always well equipped to help children conquer their fears. While&nb .....

Why we love children....   Nudity:  I was driving with my three kids on a warm summer's evening when the woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my five-year old shout from the back seat, "Mom, that lady isn't wearing a seat belt!" .....

Allowances are a great opportunity to teach kids about money.  That means that you don’t send mixed messages and use allowance to bribe your kids to do their chores or punish them by taking it away when they don’t.  Chores should be kept separate from money management issues.  Why give kids an allowance? Kids are constantly .....

Many parents ask me how to get their kids to read more. In today's world of computer games and television, it can feel like a daunting task.  Here are some tips to help encourage kids to read. Model, model, model. Be seen reading books so your kids follow in your footsteps. Sign up for a library card and take your child to the library once a week. .....

Are you struggling with any of the following? All my child wants to eat is pasta, peanut butter and cereal. My child is not open to trying new foods. My child hates vegetables. It takes lots of coaxing to get my child to eat his supper. My child has poor eating habits and won't eat dinner with the family. We try .....

Do you ever notice that your kids act up when you're having a bad day? If you are down in the dumps it's not unusual for kids to be affected by it. Families interact with each other in such a way that our disposition impacts everyone in the household. It's not unusual for our mood to change that of the people around us. If you are feeling irritable, gloomy or sulky, your kids may be absorbing your tone and acti .....