Parenting is the most difficult ‘job’ in the world. The process lasts longer than most modern careers. It requires a larger investment - in time and money - than just about any other activity.
continue reading "Parenting: The World’s Toughest Job"

Most child development professionals, following a study by Thomas and Chess in the 1950s, hold that temperament is inborn. Personality, by contrast, is influenced by environment and self-development.
continue reading "Temperament and Personality"

The word ‘discipline’ often brings to mind images of harsh punishment, unreasonable restrictions and an approach to parenting that is cold and insensitive.
continue reading "Discipline and Individual Choice"

In parenting circles, the word ‘punishment’ often brings to mind ‘corporeal punishment’ - spanking, slapping or other forms of physical action.
continue reading "Punishment and Objectivity"

Teaching responsibility is one of the most difficult aspects of parenting. It is here that parents most often worry about the dilemma of stifling individual choice versus encouraging values and habits that lead to appropriate behavior.
continue reading "Responsibility"

Few subjects in parenting are as fundamental, or as important, as communication. Humans function so much by language, whether implicit or explicit, that learning how to communicate effectively affects virtually every other sphere of family relations.
continue reading "Communication"

A major part of good communication between parent and child is active listening. But, what is ACTIVE listening?
continue reading "Active Listening"

Sometimes it’s surprising that the divorce rate isn’t actually higher than it is (about 46% in the U.S.). Assuming it isn’t just inertia on the part of the 54%, it’s a tribute to the willingness of so many couples to work out their differences.
continue reading "When Parents Disagree"

Few things have changed so radically in the last 100 years as the view of a father’s role in parenting.
continue reading "Fathers and Children"

Sibling rivalry - conflict between and among brothers and sisters - can take all the forms that occur among adults: loud arguments, sports competition, physical fights, property destruction, etc.
continue reading "Sibling Rivalry"