hello lovely child

No ‘Parent of the Year’ nomination for you. by Michele Ranard 210 words 1. You assumed your third grader no longer believed in the Easter Bunny. 2. With amnesia for your preschooler in the backseat, you dropped the eff bomb in a fit of road rage. Instead of a follow up ‘oops,’ you mumbled s*** to complete the damning expletive marathon. 3. To...

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Ideas to connect beyond possessions, sports, and texting. by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 790 words Your tween or teen may be busier than ever with school, sports, and socializing. So as parents we have to be on our game and intentional about connecting with them. (And by connecting, I don’t mean leaving a comment on that photo they posted on FaceBook.) I remember reading...

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Intentional ways parents can connect. by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 650 words It’s ironic. In an age where connecting with each other is simpler than ever (think Facebook, tweets, Blackberries and skype), hectic work schedules, school, and activities mean it’s easier than ever to become disconnected with each other. In a great book written by clinician and research professor Michael Ungar called The We...

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6 Tips for a dreamier, tidier nest. by Michele Ranard 740 words Who says spring is the best time for clearing the clutter and welcoming order? Getting ready for school is as brilliant a time as any to create more order and feel more peace. Sometimes I dread the process of simplifying. Then I commit and dive in and am astonished at how...

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10 Activities to Get You There!by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 700 wds So much about family road trips has changed! I remember the big deal it was when FM joined AM on the radio, but now—OMG —kids have more entertainment and ways to interact and connect than ever to stave off boredom and enjoy the ride. Still. All that electronic media can leave family...

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Tips to foster communication with school and ease your anxiety by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 780 words When my son’s first-grade teacher said she suspected a serious learning disability, I freaked. Despite my background in counseling, I let anxiety temporarily distract and paralyze me. I needed this article. It was a bumpy road for my struggling son, but I’m happy to report that with...

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