Susan Newman's Blog, page 4

Best Practices When a Grandparent is Nanny

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Whether your parents or in-laws care for your children on a regular basis or occasionally, best practices when a grandparent is nanny help build a win-win collaboration. Tantamount to making the arrangement work for you are taking steps to avoid misunderstandings and recognizing often overlooked benefits and advantages that you may not have considered or have forgotten.

Who is more devoted? More trustworthy? Has your children’s best interests at heart? Is a m...

Changing a Parent’s Controlling or Critical Behavior

Photo by Daniel Ribeiro Cortat Arastoro

No matter how old you or your parents are, a parent’s controlling or critical behavior doesn’t seem to change. Parents have a special knack for pushing your buttons or inserting themselves into your adult life.

Some parents are overly controlling, constantly critical or intrusive in obvious ways; others are less apparent, subtle. The annoying behavior may feel on the surface inconsequential, but over time it can become stressful or irritating.

Parents...

13 Things One-Child Families Are Sick of Hearing

Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

Only children are far from a rarity these days. Yet, as many only children and their parents can attest, people are still quick to judge and comment. Has this happened to you?

Pamela, mother of a nine-year-old, aptly told me, “It’s open season on only children; they remain one of the most discriminated against groups and one of the last still maligned. People who think it’s okay to openly insult only children or their parents wouldn’t dream of bashing women or...

Everyday Parenting Tips to Make Life Easier

Photo by Lavi Perchik on Unsplash

Life moves at a fast pace for families today no matter what the size. Whether you’re a tight-knit clan of three, or have a houseful, there are plenty of ways to carve out quality time — even with the busiest of schedules — with your offspring. Here, find the most popular articles on my site — which happen to be chock full of everyday parenting tips and ideas for stimulating activities, creating heart-warming rituals and building cherished new traditions.

You...

On the Fence About Having Another Child?

Photo by Sage Kirk on Unsplash

Conflicted about adding another child to your family? Deciding to have one child or several is monumental. It can cause all kinds of self-doubt, friction, worry and, frankly, stress. You and your partner may disagree on the number of children you want, making the decision all the more difficult.

In speaking to those with one child who are deciding whether to have a second, I regularly hear similar struggles and conflicts: “Is one child enough?” “Will I regret no...

Lighten Up Parents! Humor is a Powerful Parenting Tool

Photo by Justin Young on Unsplash

Humor is an effective parenting tool for disciplining and bond-building. You don’t need to be naturally funny to add humor to your parenting toolbox. It is a surprisingly effective — and underused — parenting technique to relieve tension and strengthen the bond with your children. For parents, humor can be a gateway to a deeper connection.

Humor isn’t just for goofy moments. It’s a gentler way to get your children to do what you want…and, in many instances, s...

5 Scandinavian Parenting Approaches You’ll Want to Practice

Americans often look to other countries for new trends and practices, and parenting is no exception. You might have stumbled upon articles that extol child-rearing philosophies from one region in particular: Scandinavia. American parents, bogged down by pressure for their children to compete and to raise star children, will find Scandinavian parenting tips appealing and a relief — at the heart of it is simplicity and a return to nature.

Concerned about “the American way” of parenting, Linda...

Stop Over-Gifting Your Children: Here’s Why

Think back to your childhood — specifically, your memories of the holidays. Your fondest recollections might resemble something like singing carols with your cousins, or baking a special dish with your grandparents. Or, something more festive or adventurous: a trip to the ballet, or sledding in the woods. In asking people about their warmest childhood memories over the years, I noticed that most rarely talk about things. Few can list even half of the holiday presents they received, unable to...

Meaningful Holiday Activities that Focus on Family & Gratitude

The holidays are a time for togetherness. Yet, for many families, it’s also a stressful season ruled by obligations and pricey expectations: gift-giving, attending party after party, adhering to tiresome traditions. Especially for families with young children, the unrelenting demands of the holidays can take over. Orchestrating wholesome family-friendly, meaningful holiday activities quickly take a back seat to other demands.

Whatever and however you celebrate your holidays, it is important t...

How Parents Can Stop Mean Girl Behavior

It’s no secret that “mean girls” are younger than ever before. But how young? Their attacks and patterns are similar to what many of us with young daughters experienced in high school. It often starts small: Choosing to exclude another girl at recess or from a birthday party. A mean post online. Then, it escalates: Posting a series of lies or hateful rumors or harassing comments. The exclusion and taunting becomes deliberate and constant. And, the recipient is only in grade school.

A common f...