Ask One, Then The Other
Andrea Ramsay Speers
How do you handle a child who doesn’t take “no” for an answer, but instead quietly goes to the other parent and asks the same question? Kids can be crafty, [...]
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Are The Inmates Running The Asylum?
Andrea Ramsay Speers
When parents learn some of the basic principles of Democratic Parenting, those with a background in more traditional “do as you’re told” parenting styles [...]
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The Truth About Effective Parenting
Andrea Ramsay Speers
When I’m working with parents, as we’re discussing some possible responses to kids’ misbehavior, they will often sigh and tell me just how hard it is, or how [...]
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No More Pity Parties
Andrea Ramsay Speers
Nobody likes to see their kids get hurt. Every parent would like to think that it’s possible for them to help their child make it through life with no hardships, no [...]
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Teaching Our Kids Respect
Andrea Ramsay Speers
Respect is a big words for parents. Usually when we talk about respect, we talk about things like respecting our rules, respecting me as a parent or respecting that when I [...]
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“7 Secrets to Raising an Optimist”
Andrea Ramsay Speers
John Hoffman wrote an article in Today’s Parent (the December 2005 issue) with this title. I loved his list of seven things, so here they are: Be a responsive, loving [...]
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Interruption Disruption
Andrea Ramsay Speers
I’m of the belief that one of the hardest parts of parenting is the constant interruptions. It could be interruptions while you’re talking, or just the idea that a parent’s [...]
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A String on the Finger
Andrea Ramsay Speers
One of the things that never fails to set parents off is when kids are chronically forgetful. And it can be a long haul to get kids to accept the responsibility of [...]
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Money, Money, Money
Andrea Ramsay Speers
“Mom, can I have an ice cream?” That’s how it starts. With a seemingly innocent request for a treat – that requires money. This is your first opportunity to share with your [...]
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Staying the Course
Andrea Ramsay Speers
It’s easy to second-guess ourselves as parents. Whatever the situation is — trying to get our little one to sleep through the night, saying no to a 16 year old who [...]
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