A child should try to solve problems with the materials he plays with.  When a child is playing and he can't solve the problem he might become frustrated and act out by cying or screaming or even hitting.  A parent should try to help him with suggestions at this point and not let him contiue to be frustrated.  As an adult we have coping skills but a child doesn't possess these skills at an early.  As they grow they wil try diffrent solutions on their own and the majority of the time they will succeed.  This is how a child learns to be independent.  Don't jump in and try to solve all of their problems for them.  It is very important for a child to develop coping skills and self-regulations.  That is the problem with many children today.  They never developed these skills.  Their parents, out of love, tried to make everything easy for them and as we all know, life is not easy.  Relax and let your child try to figure things out on their own.  It will make your life easier and it will benefit them in the long run. Unnntil next time...

Do as I say, not as I do.  Remember your children are watching you all of the time.  The example we set will teach our children how to behave.  If we volunteer at an animal shelter our children will learn to love and respect animals.  If we donate to a charity our children will learn how to be giving people.  If we teach by our action our children will learn.  I saw a man yeaterday yelling at an adult in front of his two children because a child thew a stick at his car by accident.  He was caring on like his car had been destroyed.  The boy apologized and was almost in tears. Rather then accept his apology and tell him to be more careful.  He went off on the adult.  By doing this he taught the boy that to apologize means nothing and taught his children how not repsect other people.  This is a form of bullying and we wonder why children are bullies. I encourage you to think before you act.  Be a good example for your child.  Respect each other and your children will learn to repsect each other.  Remember the saying by John Lenon, "All we need is love."  Keep this in mind when you are intereacting with your children and the poeple around you and this world will be a much better place.  Until next time...

Children are active learners.  They are inquisitive and motivated to develop their interest.  If you walk into a room full of toddlers everyone is doing something and that something has a purpose.  If a parent or teacher encourages the child to make choices and plans thier activities will have meaning.  For example if a child says they want to play in the housekeeping area at school that means they want to explore family life and they will learn to be loving and caring children. Even if they don't realize it they are laerning to develop empathy and at the same time they are learning to share with their peers.  It is very interesting to observe a child at play and see wht they are learning.  A child will first point and or state what they would like to do with one or two words but as they get older and their vocabulary expands they will make extensive plans.  Encourage your child to make plans at home when they are going to play and encourage them to follow through with these plans.  This will set htme up for success throughout their school years. Play with your child and have fun today.  Until next time...

This is one of my favorite quotes, "Listen earnestly to anything you children want to tell you, no matter what.  If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, beacuse to the all of it has always been big stuff." (Catherine Wallace) Keep this in mind whne you are talking to your children.  Don't just be there.  Be involved in what they are saying and doing.  It might be more interesting then you think.  Everyone has to work and deal with daily life but take time to enjoy your child.  You will never walk this way again so enjoy it!!  Until next time...

This week there has been a debate going on about Chick-fil-a and their stand on the gay lifestyle.  I would like to take a moment to talk about acceptance and diversity related to children.  Children do not discriminate.  They accept everyone for who they are.  I have seen children play beside each other and six month later they comment about their differences.  They just don't see what the big deal is.  I saw a child playing with a child of a different race for many months.  One day he said"Wow!!  Your skin is really dark and mine isn't."  He was just making an obersevation not discrimanting or judging; just observing.  Children are not born prejudice.  Society makes them prejudice.  I do not know why peole judge people for the way they look or the lifestyle they choose.  If you love someone, you love them for who they are.  Homosexuals do not choose to be homosexual but are born this way.  Love is what everyone is looking for and what everyone needs in life.  Differences are what makes this world a beautiful place.  Like the Beatles song says, "All we need is love."  Teach your child to love and not to hate.   This world would be a much better place without discrmination, violence and hatred.