Janis B. Meredith's Blog: JBM Thinks Sportsparenting, page 2

Dealing with Kids Who Dawdle

Do you have kids who dawdle? How many times a day do you hear yourself telling them to “hurry up”? Do they dilly-dally when you are in a hurry to get out the door? Do they dawdle in the morning when you are trying to get them to school on time? Do they seem to...

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Name-Calling: Kids Who Call Each Other Things Like Stupid, Idiot, Dummy, and Butt-head

Name calling may seem like a trivial offense. After all, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”—right? WRONG. Yes, our society believes in freedom of speech, but that can be a slippery slope. Studies give evidence that name-calling can lead to anger, violence, withdrawal, and fear. Words do matter....

Help Your Child Learn About Being Assertive

Being assertive means being positive and confident. You are aware that you are a worthy person with your own special gifts. You think for yourself and express your own ideas. You know what you stand for and what you won’t stand for. You expect respect. This is a great conversation to have as your kids...

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8 Ways to Help Your Child Have Success in School This Year

Success in school will not automatically happen. As school starts, parents are hopeful that their child will have a successful year. They are eager to see their kids thrive, make new friends, connect with old ones, get along with their teachers, and grow up just a little bit more in this new grade. As you...

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Tips for Keeping Calm When Your Little Children Push Your Buttons

Do you ever have moments when keeping calm with your little children seems impossible? Perhaps you find yourself too angry to respond in a loving and calm way to your children. You know that yelling at your kids is not a good solution, but it’s hard not to react in a negative way when your...

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Do You Approve of Your Child’s Friend Choices?

Do you like your child’s friend choices? Perhaps you don’t pay much attention because you are just glad they have friends to hang out with, friends to keep them busy. Or maybe your reactions weigh heavily in the opposite direction: you are ultra-cautious, perhaps paranoid about your kids’ friend choices. Who your child hangs out...

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Creating a Blended Family That is Truly Blended

Parents who try to make their blended family like their first family may be headed for frustration and disappointment. It’s important to accept that things are different and focus on some fundamentals that can help make a happy blended family. A Strong Marriage Although it’s harder to work on your marriage in a blended family...

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New School? New Grade? New Teacher? How Does Your Child Handle NEW?

What newness awaits your child this school year? For many children, the start of school is exciting and greatly anticipated. But for others, it means uncertainty and change as they head to a new school, a new city, or a new teacher. The thought of having new teachers, classrooms and friends can be a bit...

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4 Areas of Independence Your Child Needs

How are you fostering independence in your child? As a parent, you may have a sense of satisfaction in knowing that you are needed. But as your kids get older, your need to be needed should fade and in fact, your child should need you less and less. Are you willing to give that up?...

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“My Kids are Driving Me Crazy!”

With summer in full swing and the kids out of school, you may often find yourself thinking or even saying to someone, “my kids are driving me crazy!” If that’s you this summer, here are a few suggestions to ward off the craziness. Don’t give in to the idea that you have to keep your...

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