by Michele Ranard 340 wds 1. No more diaper rash, nighttime feedings, or teething. 2. Time for conversations with adults and leisurely dinners. 3. Barney has left the building! 4. No one expects you to look young, unlined, or happy. 5. Ability to shave TWO legs, as opposed to one half, in the shower. 6. Naughty chairs and time-outs? History. 7. In-house experts...
An Untidy Space Spells Normal Development. by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 440 wds It’s more than a tad embarrassing now when I recall how I used to brag about my neatnick son's spotless room. He was the shispshape child. The one finger-pressing wrinkles out of little polo shirts and cargo pants. In fact, he lived for color -coding apparel perfectly hanging in his closet. Indeed...
4 Tips to Increase Optimism by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 460 wds I don’t know about you, but some days are just easier to be an optimist than others. Lazy July afternoon when the house is clean, the kids are frolicking in the sun, and I’m sipping lemonade on the porch? Dude! I’m the optimism queen! But a dreary winter evening everyone needs help...
5 Ways to Ease Their Anxiety. Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 560 wds If your child will be visiting the hospital for a procedure, they may feel fretful about what to expect and any pain they may experience. These expert tips will help guide you in calming their nerves. Why They Worry About Hospital Stays According to Dr. Judith A. Jones of Kidshealth.org, many children...
Seriously! Reminders for kids & parents. 250 wds by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 1. Arithmetic practice stimulates and exercises the prefrontal cortex in your brain (and you don’t even get all sweaty). 2. No memorizing historical dates for the Civil War. 3. Don’t have to be a great public speaker or a standup comedian to be good at it. 4. Requires no ugly uniform...
Shipshape relief for families in the real world! by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 640 words As a parent, your brain probably swims with an endless list of chores and responsibilities this very second. It’s madness! How will you get it all done? Deep cleansing breath. That’s better. Now consider the following shortcuts from a mom who understands frazzled. 1. Discover Ditching Dinner-time Drama. “OMG,...
Science confirms kids need more free-play. by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 780 words With school in full swing, homework, studying, and a steady diet of rigidly-structured activities are standard fare for many kids. Soccer, ballet, piano, and extracurriculars broaden the horizon and set the stage for personal growth. But if we’re honest with ourselves, a lot of us over-schedule out of anxiety about beefing...
Without Letting Them Down by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 770 words BING-BING-BING! Ever feel like you richochet violently like a pinball—being your child’s friend AND boss? We love our kids. Thoroughly saturated in their busy lives, sometimes we hover. We fret. We juggle it all with the best intentions for their happiness. Our culture is more devoted to children’s happiness and emotional development than...
TIPS TO MANAGE SCHOOL ANXIETY For some kids, school is frightening. by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 740 words All children occasionally experience butterflies during the school day. Perhaps the nervousness arrives waiting to be called upon to give the presentation on Rosa Parks. Or maybe dancing has never been their forte, and suddenly they are asked to choose a partner in P.E. A little...
6 Parenting Myths About Teens, Lying & Rebellion by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 715 wds Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman deconstruct the science of teen rebellion and lying in an eye-opening chapter of their groundbreaking book NurtureShock. See if any of the following myths they deconstruct apply to you then get real with the current scientific evidence. Myth #1: I know a lot of...
6 Tips to Help! by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 660 words “When I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running.”--hero from Alexander and the Terrible… Tantrums over tuna. Meltdowns in Macy’s. Bedtime blow-ups. Seismic storms after soccer. Adolescent animosity. Behind every spirited child in distress...
Why They Feel Overwhelmed & How to Help 690 wds by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. As a mother and former preschool teacher, I understand stress. Every parent does. But it can be a real issue for kids too. It turns out the hormone our bodies release to deal with stressors—cortisol—is one way to measure and explore stress in children. Adults cope with stress by...
This is my delicious cookie recipe published in Country Home magazine last year that won me lots of loot and sparked excitment about publishing and led to freelancing. Been making them FOREVER, my kids are crazy for them, and they’re JUST THAT GOOD. Here's the link to the article and recipe so you can make 'em.http://www.countryhome.com/recipes/bakingdesserts/best-loved-cookies_6.html ...