Child Development & Behavior

As the parent of a preschooler, I constantly wonder if I'm doing the right thing. Especially when it comes to her social-emotional growth. I want her to be able to handle her emotions and interact well with others. Psychologist Erik...

As our children get older, the challenges of parenting shift from lack of sleep and potty training to friend feuds and struggles in school. There are thousands of online resources filled with tips and tricks for the baby and...

I don't take it for granted that we got very, very lucky. The night after our son David was born, he slept six hours in one stretch. In fact, the nurse had to come in and wake me up...

My niece made homemade gifts for everyone for the holidays. They were sweet, adorable, and she had clearly thought about each one of us during their selection. They brought both a grin to my face and tears to my...

As young kids grow they are naturally curious and creative. It's a great time to get them thinking about the world around them. There are many exploration and science activities that help toddlers, preschoolers, and beyond learn to explain their...

One of the most bittersweet aspects of motherhood is when your sweet little babies start to become independent toddlers and preschoolers. Everything becomes "I can do it" or "by myself," which is a nice load off your shoulders, but...

Toddlers are notorious for tantrums and meltdowns. They are skillful ninjas that have mastered the dodge-and-run tactic. They are professionals at saying, "NO." They are choosey with whom they share their love and affection. Loving a toddler is not all...

We were driving north on I-25 on this particular day, headed to some appointment or another after a full day of work/school. I had given the kids snacks: a drink and a bag of something crunchy. Everyone was happy until...

I love introducing solids to my babies. The looks on their faces as they taste their first "real" foods are priceless. With each of my kids I have loosely followed a baby-led weaning philosophy. My third baby, Zoey, is almost six...

Someone recently asked me to write about having the sex talk with my kids. I said, "Absolutely not!" I am not discussing sex with my seven-year-olds or my three-year-old. In my personal opinion, they are not socially mature enough to handle...

My son David is almost four. He is talking more and more, growing like a weed, and absorbing so much. It is becoming more and more apparent that he is an extrovert. He thrives on being around people. He...

My music education begins and ends with 6th grade orchestra. I vividly remember going into the orchestra room on the first day of middle school and sitting down in chairs arranged in a semicircle. I was excited to finally...

I don’t know about you, but I was blissfully unaware of the anxiety and guilt that enters your life when your first little baby enters the world. One of the blessings (or curses) is that there is a TON...