REBOUND After the Holidays

Late bedtimes, disrupted routines, unsolicited advice, too much sugar and CLUTTER from all the gifts bringing you down?  Here are seven steps to help you REBOUND from the post-holiday blues. 

5 tips for Holiday Happiness

Do you ever want to scream, “I hate the holidays!” those moments when the “to do” and “should” lists are so long they are pulling you in a million directions? Here are 5 key strategies to bringing joy to your family during these often challenging times.

Keeping the 'happy' instead of the 'hollering' in the holidays: Getting things 'done' with the kids

Darkness falls at 5:00 PM in Minneapolis.  Long, cold nights make us want to curl up under a down comforter with a good book or to simply fall asleep.  But like the snow piling up outside, the “to do” list of the holidays dumps more on our schedules already filled to the brim.  So how do you keep the “happy” instead of the “hollering” in the holidays? 

Tantrums: Understanding and Reducing Them

When your child is losing it, it is easy to get caught in the flames of those challenging behaviors. You take them personally wondering why your child is being so mean, rude or hurtful to you. That’s why it is so important to look for the REAL Fuel Source

A Predictable Re-entry Ritual Can Benefit You and Your Children

Set Your Child Up for a Successful Start to School

Do You Want to be Happier? Get Outside

Studies demonstrate that exposure to fresh air, sunshine, trees, and simply being out in Nature improves our mood, lowers our stress level, improves focus and impulse control.

When Others Judge Your Parenting

In the Spirited Child Facebook group, parents often ask, “How do you cope with the judgement from others?”  One strategy is to remember you are not responsible for the feelings of other adults – that’s on them. Your responsibility is the well-being of your family. Another key strategy is to focus on what you have more control over, which is setting your child up for success in difficult situations.  When you do, there will be fewer challenging behaviors for those critics to judge.

Encouraging Independent Play

“I’m bored. There’s nothing to do. You never play with me.” Sound familiar?  If you are feeling drained by your child’s seemingly endless demands for interaction, your first reaction may be to insist they play independently.  But have you ever noticed that the harder you push, the more they seem to cling?   So, if pushing doesn’t work, how can you get a break....

Fall Deeper In Love With Your Child

Those of us with "Spirited" children often get caught up on the challenges.   That is why it is important for us to take time and focus on our children's gifts.

Cold Weather Dressing

Must tears, shouts and snowsuits be synonymous? No, but the secret to happy cooperation is recognizing who you are working with. "Spirited" kids are active, sensitive and intense. To keep things moving along smoothly it is important to plan accordingly.

Do You Know What To Do When Your Child Calls You Names?

Your child is screaming, “You are stupid.” Or worse, “I hate you!” You feel yourself spiraling, every cell in your body triggered. Do you yell too? Flee? Burst into tears? Or do you somehow stay cool?