Parenting Blog

"So many dogs get stressed out listening to car alarms and traffic; guide dogs here in NY even get taken out of service earlier because the stress speeds up their aging. My dog is fine, though. He knows I'm the alpha dog and I'll take care of him.  So he feels safe and doesn't get anxious." -- New York Dog-Walker

Doesn't this make you wonder about the children whose parents never appear to be quite in charge, who can't seem to put their foot down and set healthy limits? The first word that comes to mind in describing their kids might be something along the lines of "self-centered,"  or even, at times, "obnoxious."  But maybe their behavior comes from being fundamentally anxious. So they keep pushing, testing whether someone's in charge.  READ POST

"Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild."- Welsh Proverb
  READ POST

"Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?"

We all feel the urge to blame someone when things go wrong.  We seem to think that fixing blame prevents a recurrence of the problem, or absolves us of responsibility.  In reality, blaming makes everyone defensive, more inclined to watch their back -- and to attack -- than to make amends.   READ POST

"2 year-olds argue with their parents 20 to 25 times an hour." -- Child Development

Between 12 and 15 months, we learn a wonderful word:  "No!"
It's an ecstatic discovery.  We learn we are separate, autonomous beings with a will of our own who can impact what happens in the world.  We delight in saying, "No!" at every opportunity.  READ POST

Paul Tough's recent NY Times Magazine article  "The Character Test" caught the attention of many parents. Tough argues that the experience of failure--as opposed to our current focus on academics--is the key to helping kids develop the grit they need to succeed. Tough's implicit stance against the ideal of perfect academic performance, especially as measured by testing, is welcome.  Every parent knows this, and also knows that a healthy society depends on our raising children of character -- caring, responsible citizens who exhibit honesty, fairness, and integrity.  READ POST

POSITION: Parent

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings, weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in faraway cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: For the rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated at least temporarily, until someone needs $5 to go skating. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.

Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: You pay THEM, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, pension, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays, job supplies or stock options are offered, there are limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Please forward this on to all the parents you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, and let them know they are appreciated.

Author: Anonymous Parent  READ POST

"How do you help parents who struggle to be the leaders their children need them to be? And how do you help their children, who are less considerate/self-regulating and continually test the limits because of it?"

How can we be the leader our child needs, and deserves?  READ POST