by smaclaughlin | Jul 7, 2016 | connection parenting, developmental expectations, emotional intelligence, hope for the future, modeling, other people's children
I have a missive for all you parents. Especially the moms and dads of screaming babies, melting-down toddlers, whiny preschoolers, sassy school-aged kids, surly tweens…wait I guess I’m talking to all ya’ll when I say: Your child is not bothering me. Your child is a...
by smaclaughlin | Jun 8, 2016 | books, developmental expectations, resiliency, review, taking risks
This will be an ongoing series of book reviews. I’m lucky to have been on the receiving end of several exciting new parenting books. You may have already read my review of Heather Shumaker’s first book, It’s OK Not to Share or seen the Q&A with...
by smaclaughlin | Mar 26, 2016 | books, developmental expectations, emotional intelligence
It’s OK To Go Up the Slide: Renegade Rules for Raising Confident and Creative Kids is Heather Shumaker’s new book! You may recall I reviewed Heather’s first title, It’s OK Not To Share a couple of years ago, and loved it (you can read that post...
by smaclaughlin | Sep 1, 2015 | attachment parenting, developmental expectations, perspective, play, problem-solving
Baby behavior drive you crazy? Most parents say, YES! Why is that? What makes us so nuts about a little person acting littler? Is it the whiny voice? The “goo-goo, ga-ga?” The pretending they can’t do something they’re totally capable of? Check...
by Sarah MacLaughlin | Apr 28, 2014 | advocacy for children
This title is from the often-played hit song from One Republic, “Counting Stars.” I think it is my song of the month for this lyric alone. I like to crank it up and yell that part. Because, right? Right? Do YOU want to be told what to do? No, of course you...
by Sarah MacLaughlin | Mar 25, 2014 | brain development, connection parenting, developmental expectations, emotional intelligence, mindful parenting, my life, parenting style, perspective, power, problem-solving, resiliency, Uncategorized
In an ongoing effort to practice what I preach, I have been test-driving theories on my own child for the past several years. For those of you who, a) have not managed to keep your home 100% screen-free, and b) are living with children old enough to beg, (toddlers are...