Step-parents face challenges that many other parents do not face. Foremost among these problems? Earning respect. This week’s Positive Parenting discusses the tribulations of step-parenting and what you can do to make it better. Blended families are pretty much the norm nowadays. From the Bradys to (dare I say it) the Kardashians, blended families are everywhere. Whether you're ready or not, you will undoubtedly have an interesting road ahead of you as a step-parent. As with any other parenting challenge, the key is to stay positive—easier said than done in certain situations, I know. You …

Words cannot describe the feeling that wild-eyed, screaming child-holding parents experience when dealing with a toddler who wants his way and wants it now. While parenting is definitely one of the most rewarding experiences, it can also be a challenge, and quite often, a power struggle. It is during the early years that language is learned, habits are formed, boundaries are tested and the tried-and-true phrase "I don’t wanna" becomes the mantra of members of the toddler militia. So what’s a tired and frustrated parent to do?  Here are a few tips on how to handle a tyrannical toddler. One of …

"Listen to me ...” is what many parents often find themselves saying to their children. However, what happens when it's the parent who's not listening to the child? This week’s positive parenting focuses on parents' need to actively listen to their children. Many parents place demands on their children without hearing them out. As a parent, you will find that you need to listen attentively to what your child is and is not saying. Body language speaks volumes, as do pitch and tone. When you are listening to your child, be aware of your own body language, pitch and tone.  Additionally, you need…

Sitting at my desk last week, I decided to peruse the pages of Facebook just to pass the time. What I saw, after sifting through the spam, was too much for me to handle; one of my former classmates had lost her child. So, this week’s Positive Parenting column is much more personal, and it's dedicated to all of those parents who have had a child pass away. At the moment when she first knows there's life inside of her, just about every mother-to-be says a little prayer of gratitude and salvation, and sends that special prayer for her child to have a long and healthy life up to the heavens. But …

Are you raising a special-needs child? Moreover, are you a single parent to a special-needs child? If so, take a deep breath, because you're not alone. It can be the most rewarding yet challenging experience, especially if your little one was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease or even one of the autism spectrum disorders. No parent is ever ready to hear this sort of news, and many choose not to accept it. But as a parent you are your child’s rock—his or her strongest foundation. You have to be.  Curveballs such as autistic spectrum disorder can easily make you feel inadequate as a …

More often than not parents find themselves trying to encourage positivity through having great role models in the lives of their children. But in today’s society, all too often children seek out role models through what they see on television, in the movies and on the internet. This can easily become an issue for a parent who is trying to maintain a sense of balance in their parenting through positivity.  So the question arises, how can I ensure that my child has positive role models? The answer is simple: lead by example.  To be a leader can be a rather daunting task, and leading by example…

A phrase that means so much but is often taken for granted by parents is “unconditional love.”  Sure, every parent in the world would say they give their children unconditional love. But do they show it in their actions and words every day? Many parents don't realize they tend to place restrictions on the notion of love through their words. For example, if you said something to the effect of “I love you because you did your homework…” then you have unknowingly placed a restriction on your love.  In the mind of your child, your love is no longer unconditional because it is tied to a chore, …

The internet has been abuzz with a publication entitled “Battle Hymm of the Tiger Mother” from Yale Law School professor, Amy Chua regarding her “tiger mom” parenting style.  An excerpt was leaked from the book in the Wall Street Journal, entitled “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” has really set the web ablaze.  There has been much debate by parents on a global scale regarding Chua’s parenting techniques.  Needless to say, many people have voiced utter disdain over what some are calling “harsh” – to say the least -parenting methods.  Still others have maintained that her style is more …

If you're the parent of a preschooler or toddler then you have probably encountered the problem of getting your child to sleep at a reasonable time.  It seems like an impossible thing to do, especially when you look at the nearest clock which reads midnight and your little one is wide awake.  What can you do to make the situation better? First and foremost, you will need to find out exactly how long your child naps for during the day.  You can easily request that your childcare provider limit the length of the midday nap.  If you have already tried doing such then it is time to move on to …

Now that winter break is over, it's important for parents to regroup and get back into school mode.  For many parents, winter break was not only a time to celebrate the holidays but also a time to get more connected with their children on many levels. Working parents get accustomed to the daily grind of getting their children off to school and then rushing off to work.  During winter break, this often monotonous task is temporarily halted, but when things go back to normal and school is in session, getting back into the swing of things can be tough. Gear up for a new semester. A return to …

 With all of the fast food out there in plain sight it can be tough to keep your child on a nutritious track at every meal. Many parents follow the tried and true mantra of having their kids simply eat what they've been given but sometimes, especially if you are have a toddler, dealing with a picky eater can add a new degree of difficulty. The first thing to realize as a parent is that toddlers are picky by nature: they like what they like, when they like it.  Does that mean that as a parent you have to bend to the will of your toddler? Not exactly; actually, as a parent it simply means you …

It's not uncommon for the little ones to just not want to go to school at all — from the all-too-familiar "I don't wanna" to the clinging on to your legs, sobbing and, of course, the ever-popular temper tantrum, it is a dilemma that most parents seem to face. Quite often you might find that the "preschool blues" are a passing thing: it can happen once or it can happen daily, depending on your child.  Separation anxiety can be trying for both parents and children; for children, it's the notion that they are leaving their comfort zone with mommy and daddy and going into that uncharted …

Did you know that there are an estimated 13.7 million single parents in the United States today?  Well, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2009 report single parents are responsible for raising 26 percent of children who are under the age of 21 in the United States. For those who grew up in a two-parent household, such statistics can be a hard pill to swallow.  However, for those who are actually the living embodiment of the statistic, life moves on in an often challenging direction. Single parenting is something that can either happen by choice or circumstance.  Despite the underlying …

As a parent life can become very expensive, very quickly — especially when you start to take into consideration your children's activities.  Clothes and toys aside, activities that were once free are now getting to be a bit costly.  Whatever your economic situation may be, here's some advice you might consider if you are interested in creating a fun and free activity to enjoy with your little one.  You can make just about any activity an adventure.  From cooking and cleaning in the house to hiking and grocery shopping, the sky is the limit.  For a fun, festive and inexpensive adventure, …

As the holiday season gets into full swing, many parents find themselves frazzled about everything from making sure the kids get to school on time to what to get the family for Christmas gifts. As a parent just about anything you do revolves around a single word: control.  Whether it's controlling the safety of children, controlling the finances, or maybe even self-control, the idea of playing it cool is central. With the daily demands that life places on parents, losing self-control can be easy. Children often test parents, especially during the holiday season.  If you have noticed that your…