Ariadne Brill

18Mar 2017 by Ariadne Brill 4 Comments

One Important Step To Take After Correcting Misbehavior

Kids 5 - 12 years, Preschoolers 3-5 yrs, Toddlers 12- 36 months

Books went flying down to the ground. Screams filled the dining room. My heart skipped a beat as I quickly assessed the situation for injuries and damages. You know that feelings when you aren't so sure if all your kids are alright? Realizing that nobody was hurt I moved on to understanding what had happened. Two boys had just happened. Two lively, energetic and playful boys had struck a bookshelf with a soccer ball knocking down books and shattering a flower vase. Our family rules are clear about balls. Outdoors or in the playroom, that's it. The books mixed with water, glass and droopy flowers all over the floor made it clear as to why we have that rule in the first place. Rules get broken when children are growing. Limits get…

25Feb 2017 by Ariadne Brill 65 Comments

When your Child Says: I Hate You!

Family Communication, Help By Age & Stage, Kids 5 - 12 years, Preschoolers 3-5 yrs

The Most Helpful Parenting Response When a Child Says "I Hate You." When children feel disappointed, frustrated, angry or other difficult emotions, they may say hurtful words. Sometimes those words are "I HATE YOU!" or "I hate you so much mom!" That small phrase packs quite the emotional punch - especially the very first time you hear it. Last summer, while on vacation, my four year old son asked for a toy at a store and I declined to buy it. My son's eyes squinted and his face tensed up as he said ever so clearly "I hate you!" I had never heard such words from my son before and it was quite the surprise. The secret message behind your child's hurtful words "I hate you" is often code for something beyond…

19Feb 2017 by Ariadne Brill 3 Comments

The Stress Free Picky Eating Solution You Will Love

Babies 0-12 months, Nutrition, Parenting, Toddlers 12- 36 months

It's pretty normal for children to be selective about what they eat. Picky eating can be just a phase, especially in the toddler and preschool years. Even if it's normal, picky eating can bring up worries, frustration and big power struggles. Here is the good news: There are ways for you to encourage healthy eating habits, without resorting to demands, struggles or bribes. None of that works in the long run anyways and usually leads to kids dreading meal times. Parents tell me they love this picky eating solution because it's simple, clear and actually something they can follow through. Following through with a solution is often the hardest part of solving parenting challenges right? So Here we go... If you want to feel calmer and more confident about meal times, this information from Elly's Satter, a…

15Feb 2017 by Ariadne Brill 14 Comments

How to Discipline When A New Baby Arrives and Siblings Act Out

Babies 0-12 months, Kids 5 - 12 years, Parenting, Preschoolers 3-5 yrs

I'm having a very trying time with my three-year-old at the moment. He is a very bright, highly spirited and sensitive little boy. His baby brother was born just a month ago so I appreciate he has had a lot of change to deal with lately. But to be frank I am running out of ideas! He is very physical and often hurts me and the baby. I came under a lot of pressure from certain family members to take a firmer stand with him as they believed I was being too soft and rewarding bad behaviour. So reluctantly, I have started using time out even though it doesn't fit with my ethos and I know it is not particularly effective either. I am simply at the end of my…

29Jan 2017 by Ariadne Brill 3 Comments

Simple Steps To Help Your Child Stop Interrupting

Help By Age & Stage

Why Do Children Interrupt Adults So Often? How Can You Help Your Child Stop Interrupting? I remember just a few years ago, trying to have a conversation on the phone with a friend. All I could hear was "BLUE CRAYON MAMA! BLUE CRAYON!" My little one was just 22 months old and excited to have figured out the color blue. I really wanted to finish the conversation with my friend. Although interrupting can be perfectly normal behavior for young children it is possible to help children develop patience and polite ways to join a conversation. Why do children interrupt anyways? Mostly children interrupt to share information they deem interesting or relevant. Toddlers often interrupt because they are still learning to regulate their impulses. When a toddler has a great thought…

26Jan 2017 by Ariadne Brill 5 Comments

Three Important Steps To Take After Yelling At Your Kids

Family Communication, Help By Age & Stage

Yelling at Kids: How to Recover from a Total Disconnect from Your Child Mama, you are yelling at me and I don't appreciate that! - my five year old Sometimes, no matter how positive and peaceful we intend to be... we react. Sometimes we react badly...we yell! we say mean things! we wish for a break!!!!! Then we end up totally disconnected from our kids. If you ever do that, yell and then feel terrible, or defeated, or guilty, you are not alone. In a survey from the University of New Hampshire, out of 1,000 parents 90% admitted to yelling when they felt at the end of their rope. That 90% is a big number so if you find yourself yelling, even if it's not what you wish you were doing,…

20Jan 2017 by Ariadne Brill 7 Comments

10 Helpful Strategies for Parenting Super High Energy Kids

Help By Age & Stage, Kids 5 - 12 years, Parenting, Preschoolers 3-5 yrs

Positive Parenting Tools For Helping Your High Energy Child Thrive My daughter is so loud at times. She has more energy than I can handle for sure. Shared a mom recently in a parents group. Well, my son just cannot slow down! He is totally the annoying kid I swore I would never have!!! It's SO overwhelming. shared another mom. Only a few parents will openly say that they find their child very annoying and overwhelming. But the reality is that some children have very energetic personalities. Do you have a high energy, full of life, must touch everything and ask 1,000 questions a day, can't sit still, curious, spunky, type of child? Do you sometimes feel frustrated with all the energy your child has? If it's feels like a bit much to…

12Jan 2017 by Ariadne Brill 1 Comment

Six Super Helpful Ways To Keep Calm and Deal With Defiance

Alternatives to Punishment, Family Communication, Help By Age & Stage, Kids 5 - 12 years, Parenting, Preschoolers 3-5 yrs, Toddlers 12- 36 months

These Six Positive Parenting strategies can help you respond to your child when they are behaving in defiant, disrespectful or unhelpful ways. Children often act out when they are lost, fearful and in need of guidance. A child that is being defiant needs to reconnect with you and find his way back to calm. And until you can step in and help, the acting out will continue. Not because your child is bad, but because your child is still learning and growing. That being said, it can be difficult to respond in a calm, confident way. Misbehavior can push parental buttons and ring alarm bells in our minds. A calm, helpful response even to the worst misbehavior helps children trust our guidance. The following parenting practices can help you respond in…

11Jan 2017 by Ariadne Brill 5 Comments

Why Positive Discipline is The Best Discipline for Your Baby

Alternatives to Punishment, Babies 0-12 months, Parenting

How To Discipline Your Baby In A Positive Way Responding positively to your baby teaches him to trust you and your guidance. While babies are growing they may do certain things, like spitting, hitting or kicking when upset, throwing food down from a high chair or taking a toy away from a playmate. These behaviors call for your clear, respectful guidance. To discipline in a way that is effective and helpful to your growing baby (toddler) focus on teaching and guidance. Help your baby trust you and feel safe following your requests. A recent study at the University of Michigan has noted that spanking babies is a common, yet very misguided attempt at disciplining babies. Around 30 percent of one year old babies are being spanked at least once a month…

06Dec 2016 by Ariadne Brill 12 Comments

How To Reduce Power Struggles and Find More Happiness In The Holiday Season

Alternatives to Punishment, Family Communication, Parenting, Preschoolers 3-5 yrs

A store cashier asked my daughter recently, “Are you being a good girl for Santa?” And then a few minutes later in the parking garage an elderly couple asked her same question. After a quick smile she turned to me. Her face was all twisted up, eyes looking far away with a hint of overwhelm. The holiday season puts so much focus on children being good. Well-behaved. Picture Perfect. The Elves are reporting. And Santa is checking his list... twice. Having well behaved kids is a top priority for many families. And that this is one of the very reasons that many families experience an increase in power struggles and temper trantrums this time of year. Children are expected to be happy, grateful, cheerful and just like those elves in the workshop, very, very helpful. Sharing…