• Last updated 3/6/13 by Momsteader

Liko (my son, 3-yrs old) looking through fridge: What are these? Mommy: Beets. Liko: What are beets? Mommy: They're kind of like sweet, red potatoes. Liko thinks for a moment, then: Is that what you make borscht out of? When I was a lad in New Jersey and Michigan in the 1970s and '80s, hamburgers, pizza, and french fries were the very height of kid cuisine. My wife (who grew up in Hawaii as part of a relatively sophisticated and omnivorous Chinese-American family) has labored for many long years to repair the damage inflicted on my palate and broaden my tastes enough so... read more

• Last updated 3/5/13 by mamazee

• Continues her study of physics (velocity, matter) by hurling food and other objects on the floor. Last night it was the glass top to the butter dish, which broke into a thousand jagged pieces. • Puts small objects in her mouth, and stumbles around the house drooling. Favorite choking hazards: pennies, buttons, big brother’s marbles. • Talks all the time. In Navaho? Vulcan? “Gaygo. Dis. Ducka ducka ducka! Umm. Dee doo. Aw-woo.” • Is affronted by the very thought of wearing clothes. Takes hers off all the time. Woe to the parent who dares to try... read more

• Last updated 2/23/13 by VKHarberRYT

A book recommendation.     By V.K. Harber     I am extremely grateful to a friend and fellow mother who recently gave me a copy of The Whole-Brain  Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. As I ponder the last few weeks with my, ahem, spirited toddler, I cannot help but wish that I’d gotten my hands on this book sooner.   I do not tend to believe that any one parenting book or philosophy is a one-stop shop, as each child and each family circumstance is completely unique, but I do love having as many tools as possible for parenting... read more

• Last updated 1/30/13 by Melanie Mayo

Thinking, feeling our way through motherhood.   By V.K. Harber   Hey, remember when you were growing up and you swore up and down that when you had children of your own you would never ever in a million years do that thing that your mother did? Yeah, me too. Yet, here I am, mother of my very own living breathing challenging toddler and I have, on more than one occasion, heard the very same words that used to issue forth from my mother’s mouth, pouring out over my own lips.   Sometimes, whatever comes out is the right thing for the circumstances. (Thanks,... read more

• Last updated 1/26/13 by Cynthia Mosher

Some days it's hard to be three! My client’s husband was out of town and her friend, Marie, offered to come by with dinner to hang out. Their plans were thwarted by an unruly three-year old with a different agenda. As Marie left, my client felt embarrassment and shame threaten to overtake her. L.O.V.E. Parenting takes out the toolkit and offers: 1. Was it a good plan: Having the girlfriend arrive at 6:30pm to socialize with the mom when her husband was out of town and she has a 3-year old and a 6-month old? Set yourself up for success.... read more

• Last updated 1/21/13 by Marcy Axness

A coach helps by holding a vision of success when you, for whatever reason, cannot. A coach sees the powers inside you and guides their unfolding. In singing, soccer, life in general -- and in parenting.   A coach helps by seeing the desired result, knowing the steps for getting you there, and patiently reminding you of those steps. A coach helps as you take those steps, which may feel awkward or unnatural at first. A coach patiently encourages you along what can feel like an interminably long road, sometimes to what feels like an unreachable mountaintop, even... read more

• Last updated 1/16/13 by Kristen Tea

                      “Tantrums” are normal reactions from kids that almost every parent deals with at some point.  They can be frustrating and scary for us, particularly if we do not have the tools to guide our children through them in a healthy way.  Understanding where they come from can be endlessly helpful.  Tantrums are urgent, overwhelming panic responses in a child’s brain.   The valuable and insightful book The Science of Parenting: How today’s brain research can help you raise happy, emotionally balanced children by Margot Sunderland states, “A... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

A mother wrote in to Mothering.com’s Ask An Expert with an 16-month old son who is biting her, screaming, not listening, hitting, and intimidating his cousin.  My reply: Baby Mine Letter: I certainly understand the frustration you are experiencing with some of you son’s recent behaviors. Emerging from a blissed-out infant stage into an unruly toddler stage can be downright shocking, especially, for an attachment-parenting momma. The first L.O.V.E. Parenting exercise I would recommend is to write a letter to “Baby X.” Write about your experience with him in... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

Girls Hi Friends, A mother wrote into Mothering.com’s Ask An Expert about losing her patience by the day’s end and struggling to tend to both children’s needs. Here is the answer: * My godmother loves to tell me the story about her mother, walking down the sidewalk with her three children under six-years old who were pulling on her, whining, competing with each other, tired, and hungry and as she passed an elderly lady sitting on her porch the neighbor called, “these are the best days of your life.” I have so much compassion... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

If you are spending prolonged time with your toddler, chances are you have to tend to some other obligations during your time together. Here are three tips for getting ANYTHING done with your toddler in the mix… a) Set your child up with a “work-station” to engage in the same activity that you are tending to: pen/paper, flour/measuring cup, rake/leaves, etc., depending on your project. b) Set your child up with a “play-station” near you with her own activities while you continue your task: a blanket with soft toys, a safe mirror, healthy snack,... read more