Six Words to Build Autonomy and Save Parental Energy

For the next seven days, try this! Find a piece of paper. Write these six words on it: What can you do about that? Put it in your pocket. For the next week, when your child asks you a question, needs help with something you want them to accomplish on their own, or is...

I am a 28F and my boyfriend a 28M. Do you think it’s possible to have a healthy relationship with someone who believes they are more intelligent than you are? My boyfriend is an extremely talented and creative musician who writes and produces his own music. He said that no one can make music like him. Because of this he thinks he is extremely smart and thinks he is smarter than me and anyone else.

Unless he is busting the pop charts, as talented as he may be, in truth, he is an aspiring musician. Actors and artists sometimes struggle with finding their place because they are often, as you (and he!) said, very good at what they do and want to share it with the...

Excuses for Checked-out Parenting

I have to work. Reframe: I have chosen to live in an area and create a lifestyle that requires a level of income that takes my time and attention away from parenting to an extreme degree. I don’t like parenting. It’s not what I thought it would be. Reframe: Parenting...

Inspire your Child to Set up their next Big Failure

“If you’re not failing, you are not innovating,” Jeff Bezos, Amazon. Look out for your child’s mishaps, bumps, and failures and get excited for those moments. Top CEOs are doing the same. In fact, they won’t hire people who haven’t had them or try to avoid them. When...

I’m looking to set up a suitable chore list for my kids and was curious if you had a good format that I could reference? I currently ask them to help unload the dishwasher, clean their rooms and make their bed each morning (all without pay), but curious if there were other things you’d recommend or parameters that you set that are appropriate for 9 and 11 year olds?

This is a common question, and there's many ways to build a values-based system for your family. Here is a "Flow of Abundance" chart that helps children see that we get out of life what we put into it. If we are thoughtful and generous with our time, treasure, and...
Off-Screen Ways to Connect with Your Teen

Off-Screen Ways to Connect with Your Teen

Ten Off-Screen Ways to Connect with Your Teen: And Ten Ways to Connect Using Screens, by Cara Day If you do some simple math when your child starts high school, you’ll discover that you only have about 1,350 days, or 192 weeks left with your child before they head off…

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Making the Family Mealtime Stick

Making the Family Mealtime Stick

Making the Family Mealtime Stick, by Cara Day Research shows regular family meals have many benefits for family members. Criteria for family meal: Seated at shared table All or most family members present No technology on during meal Meals at least 3 or more times per...

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The Real Deal on Your Child’s Imaginary Friend

The Real Deal on Your Child’s Imaginary Friend

The Real Deal on Your Child's Imaginary Friend, by Cara Day 1. It's important for parents to know that about one-third of children will create an imaginary friend and those friends will typically stick around for a few days to a few years. Contrary to a common...

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