Structure and predictability are the building blocks of healthy development! Learn why and how to leverage them to help kids thrive!
Results for: parenting tips
Getting to the “Why” Behind Kids’ Behavior
A need met is a challenging behavior solved! Here are four everyday needs, kids’ behaviors that stem from them, and potential solutions.
How Parents Can Strengthen Bonds & Cooperation With Positive Language
Positive language is a powerful tool for strengthening bonds, gaining cooperation, and even increasing motivation in kids.
Parenting Hack: The Power of Positive, Strength-Based Communication
Learn how to harness the power of positive, strength-based language to successfully guide kids while strengthening your connection with them.
Parenting Hard? Remember the Keys!
Parenting is challenging! There’s so much advice out there! When you get overwhelmed, focus on these three keys…
What’s Your Child’s Love Language?
Each of us has a different way of expressing and interpreting affection. Embrace love languages and improve all your relationships.
Words Count! Positive Language Alternatives to Redirect & Connect
When it comes to redirecting and connecting with kids—words count! Here are positive language alternatives to use with your little ones.
How to Skip Power Struggles with Kids by Saying Yes
Want to know an easy trick to reduce power struggles, build trust and teach kids healthy decision-making skills? It starts with saying yes!
16 Quotes on Parenting with Empathy
A strong foundation starts with a gentle touch! Here are sixteen quotes to guide you in parenting with empathy.
Rough Waters Ahead! A Guide to Raising Teens
Raising teens is hard! Here are twelve of YDI’s best quotes to guide you in parenting through the teenage years.
How to Embrace Mindful Parenting
Mindful parenting lays the foundation for happy, healthy kids! Learn to embrace these tips, and you can strengthen all of your relationships.
18 Quotes to Help You on the Path to Purposeful Parenting
Here are eighteen of our best quotes to help anyone on their journey to purposeful parenting.
10 Tips to Help You Parent Like a Pro!
Let’s be honest, parenting is no easy feat. Kid’s don’t come with instruction manuals…in fact, they are one of the few things that don’t. But have no fear, we are here to make things a little easier for you!
Back to School Mental Health: Tips for Caregivers of Teens
School is back in session, which can be a stressful time for teens and parents alike. Here are some simple strategies that you and your family can use to help ease back into the school routine.
What Every Parent Needs to Know about Building a Kid’s Coping Skills
Coping skills are great tools for kids to have when the stresses and strains of life threaten to slow them down or overwhelm them. It can be useful to think of coping skills as tools. Just like no single tool is right for every home improvement project, no single...
Child Discipline Techniques for Foster or Adopted Children
Discipline Techniques for Children Who May Have Been Abused or Neglected Very Well Family - May 29, 2018 Foster parents are not allowed to use corporal punishment with foster children. Adoptive parents are also wise to try other discipline techniques and to avoid...
Building Resilience in Children – 20 Practical, Powerful Strategies
All children are capable of extraordinary things. There is no happiness gene, no success gene, and no ‘doer of extraordinary things’ gene. The potential for happiness and greatness lies in all of them, and will mean different things to different kids. We can’t change...
Managing Problem Behavior at Home
A guide to more confident, consistent and effective parenting Child Mind Institute - January 22, 2018 One of the biggest challenges parents face is managing difficult or defiant behavior on the part of children. Whether they’re refusing to put on their shoes, or...
Stop Back Talking – 4 Techniques To End Rude Responses
Blessed Beyond a Doubt - January 16, 2018 It happens to just about every kid at some point – back talking. The sassy and negative replies can sneak up on a parent, but you can stop the back talking with these 4 techniques to end rude responses. Quickly defuse the...
10 Strange Reasons Why Kids Hate Bath Time & How to Fix It.
Anxious Toddlers - May 29, 2015 by Natasha Daniels Bath time a struggle? Although bath time may be relaxing for some children – there are many kids who go running in the opposite direction when they hear the word “bath.” Kids fight bath time for many...
Common Time-Out Mistakes and How to Solve Them
Could this classic discipline technique actually make the situation worse? Learn what experts recommend, including a new and improved five-step technique for giving time-outs. December 17, 2017 - Parents Magazine By Alisa Bowman Time-out certainly sounds like a...
Bare Necessities: Basic Baby Needs
The Spruce - October 23, 2017 by Heather Corely What does a baby really need in the first weeks at home? The answer is - not much. This basic baby needs checklist will help you choose those baby essentials, often called the layette, that your little one needs to have...
Five Minute Parent Child Bonding Activities
Ideas to Help Promote Bonding Through Activities The Spruce - April 4, 2017 by Carrie Craft These activities are not for every foster or adoptive parent or every foster or adoptive child. Only do what is comfortable for you and your foster/adopted child. Keep in mind:...
Why Do Foster Care Disruptions Occur?
Foster Children Endure Multiple Placements Due to Disruptions The Spruce - April 4, 2017 by Carrie Craft It's not something we like to think about as foster parents, but sometimes a placement just doesn’t work out. There are various reasons why foster care placements...
What to Teach Your Child to Prepare Them for a Foster or Adopted Sibling
The Spruce - September 15, 2017 by Carrie Craft So, you have decided to add to your family through foster care or adoption, and now you're probably wondering how best to prepare your children for the new addition. There are several things to keep in mind as you...
When Foster Families Meet Birth Families
The Spruce - April 4, 2017 by Michael Robison Your foster child has moved in, is settled into his room, and learning your home rules. Now comes the time that many foster parents worry the most about - meeting the child's birth parents. For the sake of all concerned,...
Setting up a Bedroom for Foster Care
No Bohns About It - February 4, 2016 When a person decides to become a foster parent, they often wonder the best way of setting up a bedroom for foster care. Waiting for the call is tough, and shopping and painting and all the decorating can be a fun way to pass the...
Meeting Your New Foster Child
The first day... The Spruce - October 31, 2017 by Carrie Craft When a foster child is first placed in your home a lot of fear and stress comes through the front door along with the child, for both of you. The child is fearing the absolute worst about you and his/her...
10 Ways To Create a Rock Solid Relationship With Your Teen
Sunshine and Hurricanes - November 28th, 2017 by Michelle Meyers Parenting a teen (or tween) isn’t easy. We have certainly heard all the horror stories of defiance, disrespect and general disinterest. But, often such tales of teenage turbulence are wildly exaggerated....
8 Ways To Tell Your Toddler “No” Without Actually Saying It
Life as Mama - September 3, 2015 Parenting a toddler certainly has it’s ups and downs. It can be absolutely wonderful and amazing at times, and then downright exhausting and frustrating at other times. Once a child becomes a toddler they develop a mind of their own...