by smaclaughlin | Mar 31, 2019 | books, developmental expectations, sexuality, tweens & teens
Let me start by saying I did NOT adequately consider the ramifications of having a tweenaged child while I was peri-menopausal. Did not consider it at all. Math is hard. In a few years my son will be 14 and I will be 50. Maybe things will be better, but hormones run...
by smaclaughlin | Mar 30, 2019 | books, mindful parenting, motherhood, positive parenting
I was delighted to receive an advance copy of Rebecca Eanes’ new book, The Gift of a Happy Mother. Rebecca has a way with words and cuts through all the noise to what matters most: your relationship with your child. There are no fancy techniques, but plenty of...
by smaclaughlin | Feb 21, 2019 | Uncategorized
Resources for Parents of Tweens and Teenagers Inspired by this piece in New York Magazine about the best resources for parents of toddlers (in which I am quoted as a child development expert, OMG!), I am going to tell you where to turn when you’re about a decade ahead...
by smaclaughlin | Nov 5, 2018 | books, emotional intelligence, parenting, Uncategorized
An excerpt from The Emotionally Healthy Child by Maureen Healy The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 25 percent of American children experience anxiety and 14 percent have a mood disorder, and National Public Radio reports that as many as five million...
by smaclaughlin | Jun 28, 2018 | books, brain development, communication, cooperation, discipline, emotional intelligence, positive parenting, problem-solving
Three Simple Steps. Can it really be so easy? In a word: yes. First off, I LOVE that this book makes many positive assumptions about children: Your child is capable. She wants to listen and learn. He’s wired for empathy. She wants to help. He wants to feel like...
by smaclaughlin | Mar 12, 2018 | books, co-parenting, communication, marriage, positive parenting
Why is this so hard? Two people who are parenting together but don’t exactly see eye-to-eye is very common. Sometimes co-parenting relationships are strained, but even those who consider their partnerships really healthy can struggle (*raises hand*). We want to...
by smaclaughlin | Jan 14, 2018 | mindful parenting, mindfulness, modeling, screen time
Alright people. I’m gonna give it to you straight. I have not been writing regularly and there are likely many reasons for that. But, I discovered one in particular lately, and I feel the need to share. Back story: My 9-year-old challenged me to take a 24-hour break...
by smaclaughlin | Nov 11, 2017 | books, brain development, brain science, discipline
FRIENDS! I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get you this post about a great new book I read recently! I got an advance copy of Gentle Discipline: Using Emotional Connection–Not Punishment–to Raise Confident, Capable Kids a couple months ago and...
by smaclaughlin | Aug 31, 2017 | ADHD, books, brain development, cooperation, self-regulation
I hope you enjoy this excerpt from the newly released book from Thomas Armstrong, PhD, The Myth of the ADHD Child: 101 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Attention Span Without Drugs, Labels, or Coercion. It’s a goldmine of helpful information! Read...
by smaclaughlin | Aug 7, 2017 | anger, communication, discipline, limits, mindfulness, my life, self-regulation
I’m thinking about rebranding my entire website and business to be entitled Kind AF. This makes sense as you may have seen we’ve quite embraced swearing at our house. I’m also itching for a vanity plate (ORDERED!) and a wrist tattoo (that will need to wait). And why...
by smaclaughlin | Jul 31, 2017 | advocacy for children, parenting, power
My name is Sarah and I’m a worrier. I hate that I worry, but it’s just the truth. I worry about my people, and your people too. Because as Sister Glennon says, “there’s no such thing as other people’s children.” That’s why I care about how you are parenting your...
by smaclaughlin | Jul 20, 2017 | advocacy for children, brain development, emotional intelligence, handling meltdowns, mindfulness, modeling, self-regulation
I know, I’m bossy. If I was a preschooler in 2017, I would surely be labeled with “leadership skills.” As it was, in the mid-70s I was said to have “taken charge” of the dramatic play area. So, there you have it. I guess I need those skills because I...
