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The Power of Positive Reinforcement in Kids
Image courtesy of Flickr The Power of Positive Reinforcement in Kids As parents, we want to raise thoughtful and caring kids who make good decisions. One way to do this quite effectively is by using positive reinforcement as often as possible. In most cases, praising kids for their positive behavior will help them to feel good about what they just did, which in turn increases the likelihood of them continuing to do it, Livestrong notes. A basic example of this is a child who remembers to feed and water his pet; if his mom tells him how proud she is of his responsible pet owner skills, her son will feel pretty darn…
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Melissa’s Musings :: 5 Tips To Stay In The Moment
“Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.” ~ Rose Kennedy Lately I have been thinking about how great it would be if I could just freeze time or at least slow it down and keep my little girl from growing up too fast. She just celebrated her 8th birthday last week and I really can’t believe how quickly it goes by. You hear that from mom’s who have older children but don’t really understand until you too, see your toddler suddenly go from shaky steps to running around on the soccer field in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, I don’t have a magic wand that will allow me to…
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TECH A BREAK… You Won’t Get Board!
About a month ago it was my weekend to keep the kids (I have them during the week as well but we do try and plan out weekends with fun things so it’s not just school, homework etc and I’m perceived as no fun) … anyway, they were calling for rain. ALL WEEKEND LONG. Now, having two children ages 8 and a newly anointed 7 year old, hearing rain all weekend and cold means being cooped up and boring! So, I said “hey, here’s an idea. I think you two are old enough for board games now.” My daughter (the youngest) got excited. My son barely…
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The Debate Over Pediatric Supplements
Should You Supplement? Have you been struggling with whether or not to give your children pediatric supplements? If you have been feeling this way you are not alone. Many questions surround pediatric supplements. Some parents wonder if they are even necessary for their children’s health. Other questions include: how does a parent know if their child needs them? And are they harmful? Are there any risks associated with giving supplements? Unfortunately, the debate rages on over whether pediatric supplements are beneficial or harmful even in scientific circles. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is the perfect example. They suggest that you only give pediatric supplements to your children under…
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Wellness :: Kids and Healthy Food Choices
Being a parent can a frustrating struggle, especially when you are engaged in a battle to get your rambunctious toddler, child, or preteen to eat healthier foods. We’ve all been there at one time or another. At the end of our rope and still the little tyke screws up his nose at the nutritious peas that you have provided him. Then comes the demand for curly fries cooked in the deep fryer. Fear not—if you begin young enough—there are methods to instill a healthy eating mindset. Below I will provide some methods that can be used to guide your children toward healthier foods—as well as a few methods that…
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The Happiest Little Elf
It’s that time of year again. With what feels like the blink of an eye, we’re back to celebrating the holiday season. It seems that with each passing year, as the kids get older, this special time of year seems to roll around faster and faster. I don’t know about you, but I dread the day when the kiddies no longer scamper down the stairs on Christmas morning and squeal with delight at the sight of presents under the tree. I never want the magic to end! Somewhere around mid-December of last year, my family was ready for Christmas, but it wasn’t quite ready for us. The tree has been…
