The Not-So-Terrible Twos

by Jacque Grillo
Director, Lone Mountain Children's Center

For anyone who's ever spent much time with a two year old, the term "terrible twos" doesn't require a lot of explanation. At some point right around a child's twenty-fourth month a dramatic and often challenging transformation occurs. From a placid, typically compliant, sweet and affectionate little being emerges something almost unrecognizable

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Creative Problem Solving in the Life and Times of a Young Child

by Ginger Carlson
Author, Child of Wonder: Nurturing Creative and Naturally Curious Children
www.gingercarlson.com

It is such a pleasure to be invited to guest post again here at The Savvy Source .  As you know, my focus is creativity and how we as parents and caregivers can encourage a fulfilled and creative life in our children as they grow and mature.  So, towards that end, I turn to the young child as a social being and how being able to tap into their

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When Your Child Is Shy

by Betsy Brown Braun
Founder, Parenting Pathways, Inc.
Author, Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents

When a parent describes her child as "shy," I usually ask, "So what were you like when you were growing up."  99% of the time, the parent, almost sheepishly, describes herself or the child's father as having been some form shy (painfully shy, horribly shy, debilitatingly shy, hiding-behind-my-mother shy). Shyness is one of those temperamental

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When Life is Hectic, Rituals Are More Important Than Ever

by Betsy Brown Braun
Founder, Parenting Pathways, Inc.
Author, Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents

There is such a build up to the holidays.  As December approaches, we imagine how much fun the season will be ...sugar plum fairies and all.  Our heads are flooded with warm memories of the winter holidays from our own childhoods.  Then, the day after Halloween it hits:  gifts, picture cards, house decorations, holiday open houses, and dress

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Backseat Battlefield

by Betsy Brown Braun
Founder, Parenting Pathways, Inc.
Author, Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents

"Summer time, and the livin' is easy..." Well, that is until your two children in the back seat of the car start fighting. Is there anything that drives a parent more nuts? Since it is not likely that your car arrived factory equipped with a chauffeur's screen, the one you flip up at the touch of a button, you need help. You have probably figured

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"Mable, Mable, If You're Able, Keep Your Elbows Off the Table"...and Other Mannerly Behaviors We Wish Our Children Would Have

by Betsy Brown Braun
Founder, Parenting Pathways, Inc.
Author, Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents

That was the chant in my house when we were growing up, the reminder that it wasn't okay to put your elbows on the table. Nor was it okay to use your sleeve to wipe your face, burp out loud, ask rudely for food to be passed, and a host of other things. Manners and social graces bring a degree of civility our world. They are a common language,

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Dealing with Disappointment

by Betsy Brown Braun
Founder, Parenting Pathways, Inc.
Author, Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents

Growing up can be really tough. There are many peaks that children must scale on the pathway to adulthood. One of the most challenging of those is learning to tolerate disappointment. What a climb that one is, not only because it is hard for our kids, but is it downright painful for us the parents. Living with your child's sadness tugs at your

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Why Children Don't Listen

by Dr. Jane Nelsen
Author, Positive Discipline series
Author, Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World

"My child just doesn't listen." I hear this complaint from parents just about every day.  I tell them, "My guess is that you aren't giving them an example of what listening is about. You are probably lecturing too much. Why Lectures Don't Work: How to Motivate and Inspire without Criticism Lectures invite resistance and rebellion. How would

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Backtalk and Disrespect

by Dr. Jane Nelsen
Author, Positive Discipline series
Author, Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World

"I asked my daughter to pick up her shoes. She replied, 'Why don't you. You're the mother.' I couldn't believe it. Why would she be so disrespectful? Even more important, what should I do about it? I can't just let her get away with that, but the more I punish her, the worse it gets." Understanding Your Child, Yourself, and the Situation

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Strong-Willed Children: Avoiding Power Struggles

by Dr. Jane Nelsen
Author, Positive Discipline series
Author, Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World

There is a theme spreading throughout the country. It is called the strong-willed child. I hear this theme over and over from audiences during my lectures and in questions from the Internet, such as the following: I have an 11year old daughter.  She is very strong willed. I have a constant battle with her to get her to do things for me, like

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Why Some Parents Don't Accept Non-Punitive Methods

by Dr. Jane Nelsen
Author, Positive Discipline series
Author, Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World

Excerpted from Positive Discipline: The First Three Years Because all children (and all parents) are unique individuals, there are usually several non-punitive solutions to any problem. Some of the parents we meet at lectures and parenting classes don't immediately understand or accept these solutions; indeed, Positive Discipline requires a

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Too Much of a Good Thing: Why We Shouldn't Over-Help

by Dr. Jane Nelsen
Author, Positive Discipline series
Author, Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World

You may have heard about the little boy who felt sorry for the butterfly struggling to emerge from its chrysalis. He decided to help so he could save the butterfly from the struggle. So he peeled the chrysalis open for the butterfly. The little boy was so excited to watch the butterfly spread its wings and fly off into the sky. Then he was

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Other Topics

Read what the Savvy Experts have to say about the following additional topics.

• Tough Subjects
• Friends and Friendship
• Learning
• The Body
• Siblings: Friends or Foes
• Sleeping 101
• Whining, Wailing and Other Behavior Challenges
• The Stages
• Being a Savvy Parent
• 99 things
• Hidden Articles
• Meal Time and Nutrition