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6 Smart Responses to “I’m Bored” by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.860 wds Ever spent an exhausting day at a theme park with your kids and arrived home to hear someone whine “I’M BORED?" Maybe they use the b-word whenever the topic of school comes up. I feel your pain. Here’s what you need to know about boredom. Behind the Boredom Current research indicates the...

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photo via CarolinaParent.com Ditch the fear for the facts & parent better.by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.800 words If you’re a typical parent you probably worry about your kids. A lot. Even if you rarely view the news, you likely feel inundated with fearful messages that the world is an evil and unfriendly place for children. You probably feel justified in your worrying. But should...

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Some experts warn ‘Don’t make their happiness your greatest concern’ by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 900 words What could possibly be wrong with wishing anyone happiness? After all, scientific evidence for the benefits of happiness is compelling. Studies show happier people experience better health, stronger immune systems, better marriages, and deeper friendships. How could stressing happiness in our parenting possibly harm our children? Authors...

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A dozen excuses to consume more chocolate. by Michele Ranard 360 words How I wish I could say these triumphs—and yes, they’re a bit twisted—came simply from my imagination! Actually, they’re based on personal experience as well as confessions graciously shared by other mommies (Yep. A friend accidentally stood too close to her daughter at Home Depot and…see number three.). The point of...

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image, Erika Kuhn Sanity-saving advice and solutions for concerned parents. by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 890 words If you are parenting a behaviorally challenged child—one who is highly inflexible, defiant, and in trouble much of the time—then you may be all too familiar with the confusion, anger, guilt, and shame that go with the territory. Challenging kids make life significantly more difficult for their...

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Cut Yourself Some Slack and Celebrate Small Triumphs.by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 600 words As a parent, there are too many nights my head hits the pillow and my thoughts immediately turn to every misstep I took during the day with my kids. Even if dozens of things were handled expertly, my natural perfectionist inclination is to dwell on the times I blew it....

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Tips toDeal With Whiny Kids. by Michele Ranard, M.Ed. 770 words “I NEEEEEEED ANOTHER BROWNIE!” “IT HURTS. I CAAAAAN’T HAVE THIS SEATBELT ON!” “JORDAN TOOK THE RED ONE! I WAAAAANT RED!” Ahhhhh. Classic rants of whine country. For many parents, these rants have become the whine of daily life, and it ain’t no Pinot Noir! Preschoolers are especially famous for whinery woes; and...

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