- "Helping your older child adjust to the new baby"
- Workshop on May 15 at
- Yorkville Tower, 1623 third Avenue, ste. 202.
- Call Meri to register, 917-359-3744.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Helping your older child adjust to the new baby
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Raising a Happy Co-operative Child
Blog one: Getting Your Child to Listen
Dear Meri:
Our two year old son looked
us in the eye,climbed up on the sofa and started jumping, while we repeatedly
tell him not to. When he behaves like this, what should we do?
–Signed frustrated parents
All parents are upset when
their child blatantly disregards their rules. “Have we failed as parents? Is he going to be a
juvenile delinquent?”, parents in my workshops and coaching sessions will ask
me.
I reassure you that in situations
such as these, there is nothing wrong with your little fellow. He is simply acting out some natural
developmental issues. Once you understand these issues and work with them
effectively, you can gain the co-operation you are looking for.
Young children function
according to the pleasure principle. Bouncing in the air on a soft cushioned
couch is thrilling. It's much more fun than being a good listener at this age.
Similarly children find racing down the street too much fun to easily abandon.
At this age, another issue
that causes kids to misbehave, is that young children have little control over
their impulses. When they want
something they want it now. That's why your child will take a bag of potato chips
off the shelf in the supermarket even though you have warned her not to touch
anything. Her wishes are urgent and having those chips feels like life and
death to her. So she will go for it, even if it means incurring your wrath.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
New Dad Questions How to Build Self-Esteem
Dear Meri,
I've just become a new Dad
and I'd really like to raise my
child to have a positive self-esteem. My Dad was very critical of me and I grew
up questioning myself a great deal. What is the best way for me to accomplish this
goal?
—A concerned Dad
Dear concerned Dad,
It is wonderful that you care
about raising your child to feel good about himself. When children have a
positive self-esteem they feel better in life. Every parent brings his history
to the job and an issue that was hard in childhood will naturally raise some
anxiety fo rthe parent (as this one does for you.) I want to reassure you that
you don't have to be a perfect parent to accomplish your goal. There are many
steps you can do to contribute to your child having a positive self-esteem.
Oh No. Is My Toddler a Bully?
Dear Meri,
Whenever I go to a play group
with my 18 month old son either pushes the other children, or grabs their toys.
My husband and I are not aggressive people and we're worried that somehow we've
created a bully. How did this happen?
I certainly can understand
your distress. Parents want to feel that their children can get along with
other children. They quickly blame themselves and become very embarrassed when
there is a problem. Let me reassure you. What you're seeing in actuality is
just a developmental issue in progress. Your child is developing the skills he
needs to get along with others.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
When Should We Pick Up Our Crying Baby?
Dear Meri,
My husband and I are
expecting our baby in three months. On Thanksgiving, we went to my best friend's
house to celebrate. Throughout our visit, she and her husband were constantly
arguing about whether to pick up their 5 mo. daughter when she cried. My friend
thought they should always pick her up, but her husband was adamant that their
daughter would become spoiled. On the ride home, my husband and I discussed
this issue and we are not sure who
was right. Do you have an opinion about what to do?
—Perplexed
parents-to-be
Dear perplexed parents,
As a parenting expert for
over 20 years I have to say I strongly agree with your friend's opinion to pick up their baby whenever
she cries.
Young babies cry because
something is bothering them. They don't have language skills to tell you, “I
need to burp” or “My diaper is soggy.” They cry to let you know they need you
and so you must respond.
Welcome to Our Parenting Blog
I am Meri Wallace, LCSW, and
have been a child and family therapist and parenting expert for over twenty
years. I am the author of, “Birth Order Blues”, (Henry Holt &Co.,1999) and
“Keys to Parenting Your Four Year Old”, (Barron's Publications,1997). I have
been a columnist for “Sesame Street Parents Magazine” and a TV parenting expert
on shows such as “Montel Williams”, “The Early Show”, “Good Day New York” and
many more.
On this blog I will answer
questions from readers who may be expectant parents, new parents, or parents of
children aged 0-teens. I will give you sound advice on how to transition
effectively to parenthood, and offer you easy-to-use strategies for resolving
issues that you are having with your children. The main goals of this blog are
to help you to feel competent as parents and to raise children who feel loved
and self-confident. I would love to receive your questions and look forward to
answering them. Please send them to me at: meriwallace@aol.com
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