My daughter is 7 years old, and I am trying to understand how to handle "that's not fair!!". This statement comes up at least once per day and it can be about me, her friends, anybody. Mostly her friends though... I try to acknowledge the disappointment, and that her friends' parents handle things differently from our family and that our family has its own rules.
How do I know my child is ready for kindrgarten?
My 4yo son is great at school drop off with dad but not with me. What should I do different?
When my 4yo son goes to school with his father, he walks right into the school/classroom, but when he goes to school with me, it has taken up to 30 minutes (usually like 10/15 minutes) to get him inside the classroom. He has always been more attached to me. His main reason for not wanting to go inside the classroom is because he wants to be with me. He has used the word scared, but I don’t think he’s scared in the traditional sense of the word. Thanks!
My daughter has her 504 plan, now what do I do?
My daughter does not like her teacher and doesn't want to go to school. How do I get her through this?
My daughter is having issues with her teacher. She has the same teacher that her sister had last year, and to be honest I am not a big fan, but it's gotten to the point that she keeps saying she doesn't want to go to school, she wants to switch schools, she hates her teacher etc.....I listen to her and reflect her feelings of frustration but is there anything else I can do? She is also used to being liked and loved (teachers always love her because she is the perfect angel in class) and I think she is struggling because this teacher doesn't seem to feel that way. Thoughts?
My kids do not want to spend time with their visiting grandparents. How do I handle this?
I am not sure how to handle this situation. My parents are visiting from my country. They are here for two weeks and are thrilled to spend time with my kids. My kids are not so thrilled to spend time with them as during the pandemic, my kids got used to socializing with their friends on their iPads and phones. I set screen time limits in order for my kids to spend more time with their grandparents visiting but my kids are really not enjoying it. What do you recommend I do? It is sad for me to be in the middle of this situation….
My daughter always feels cheated. What language should we be using to help her through this?
Hoping to get your perspective on fairness and equality as it seems to be a big theme with my daughter. Everything these days is about feeling upset because so and so has something that is different from hers. For example, her sister’s cup of water is more full than hers, her sister gets to ride a scooter and she has a bike, Mommy's costume came earlier than hers, it goes on and on and on sometimes with big tantrums. We have been validating her feelings around it but we want to understand why she always feels cheated somehow that what she has is not as good as someone else. Also what language should we be using to help her through this?
When my child says they're scared and won't go to bed, what's really happening?
When I put my daughter down last night we went through our typical routine but she kept asking when dad would be home from his run and when he would come kiss her goodnight. As soon as I got in the rocking chair (I sit in it until she falls asleep) she started saying "I'm scared, I'm scared" on repeat. She couldn't tell me what she was scared of just that she wanted me to lay in her bed.
Should I push my son to do more academically although he already does well?
One of my boys is extremely dedicated with his school work. My other one just wants to finish quickly to get it over with. I don’t want to compare (and never do) but the one that only dedicates very short time to school projects and homework says it is good enough for him. I don’t want to pressure him because his notes are good but I know he can do better if he dedicates more time because he has the potential. Should I leave him alone?
My 1st grader is anxious and doesn't want to go to school. Would a "worry stone" help?
His start in the new (old) big public school was not very ideal.
We got quarantined only 2 days into the new school year and when he got back after 10 days we were not allowed to walk him to the classroom anymore (only allowed in the first week). He says he is super scared to walk to his classroom by himself (it’s about 75ft from the entrance). He also says he hates 1st grade, his life, it’s so hard etc…
I started to do the body scan again to sleep and help him calm his body and I also bought him a “worry stone” he can carry in his pocket and touch when he gets anxious. What do you think?
My daughter is having a hard time fitting in with a new group of schoolmates. How should I help her?
How can I better handle my kid having a difficult time with friends in school? My daughter changed classes and the majority of her closest friends are in the other class. Before school started we talked about how good of an opportunity it would be to get to know some of the other students (girls) a bit better while still keeping old friendships. It doesn’t happen every day but she has been complaining about how it’s been hard to fit in and how the other girls seem to not like her. How should I help her?
My daughters only want to have plans with their friends and nothing with the family. How do I shift this?
My daughter wants to have play dates every weekend with her friends, which sometimes is not possible. She gets very upset and feels like doing things with the family is not "enough'. Even for my other daughter, every time we tell them we are doing something they ask "with who?" If the answer is just with us (the family) they both say they don't want to go. How do I shift this?
How can I teach my son to prioritize academics the way he prioritizes sports?
One of my kids is extremely responsible and dedicated to school work. The other one is not but I am leaving him alone because his grades are good and he is social and active with sports. But what if, in the future, his grades drop because he prioritizes his soccer and social life above academics? He is a key player and star of his team and works so hard at it that he got promoted to be in a higher level and a more competitive team. What is the appropriate consequence, besides the bad grade, in this situation?
How important are grades at school and what is my role as a parent?
I have a question about the importance of grades/struggles in school. The girls are in third grade which I know is a big jump academically from second. They have always both been straight A students and have never struggled. This year is so different. We are already in the process of getting one of my daughters a psycho-ed eval after her ADHD diagnosis so that may explain her struggles but now her sister is also struggling; both with reading comprehension-cold reads. We have parent teacher conferences this week but at what point do I need to get them extra help or be concerned?
My son is telling me untrue stories. Should I be worried about him lying?
I have read up and listened to your previous videos on lying. My son rarely lies and when he does I use your response and he gets it. Lately he has been telling me tall tales about things that have happened at school. For example, “my teacher had a nerf gun that shot out real bullets that she heated up in a tiny oven and then she shot them up in the air. It was amazing mom”. The entire story is clearly just a story but he really wants me to believe him. Sometimes I’ll text his teacher just to be sure but every time it’s just something he’s made up. Do I pretend to believe him? What is his goal?
My daughter takes forever to get ready in the morning! How can I make it better?
My daughter stalls so much in everything she does. This morning she took so much time to prepare for school (as always) we told her she wouldn't be going to her friend's bday tomorrow - something she's been really excited about for some time. It's all arranged and I feel really bad for her, but now do I have to stick to it or can I negotiate to get her to help us more?
My daughter leans on anxious and is having potty accidents. How can I help her?
We are currently dealing with running to the bathroom every 5-10 mins saying she has to go pee and nothing coming out. This happened about a year ago and it was resolved but this time she is actually having many accidents a day and soaking through her underwear. I am pretty sure it's not happening at school but have a note to her teachers to confirm. When I ask her about it she says "I was having too much fun playing” or “I was too cozy in bed to get up" which makes me think she is in control of it but sometimes it happens 4 times in an hour.
How much should I help my kids with their homework or projects?
I want to follow up on what you said about homework and not helping the kids.
My girls always have questions and things they don't understand and I have to help them. They are also doing a science project that they would not be able to do without my help.
Is it best to let them fail, not turn in assignments and not help them at all?
It seems extreme and I obviously do not want them to fail........what are your thoughts?
My children are having tantrums when having to do something they don't want to do.
Our dog is sick and might pass away. Should I include my children to say goodbye?
We’re in a very weird stage now as we don’t know how much longer our dog has with us.
I've been crying a whole lot lately and the kids know she’s not doing well. Tonight we dropped her off at the er and we don’t know if she’ll come back home though I’m hopeful.
We’ve been talking to the kids and answering their questions as best as we can... but if I’m being honest, I’d love some space to just be sad, which I tell them but I don't think they get it and I don’t know how to help them through this.