After writing the “Chores Shmores” post, I heard from a number of parents asking whether or not “Pets” should be included in a chore list: (This post was originally written in 2016 and updated in 2022) Why didn’t you mention “Taking Care of Pets” as a chore in the examples you gave? Wouldn’t that count […]
Keeping Memorial Day Meaningful
Dear Dr. Renee,I have young children and want to celebrate Memorial Day in a meaningful way. We don’t have anyone in our family who has served in the military or made that ultimate sacrifice. How can I observe this holiday with young children?-Rosie Dear Rosie, Thank you for wanting to teach your children what Memorial […]
Who is Your Favorite Child?
Dear Dr. Renee,My kids are always asking me who my favorite child is? How do I respond to this?– Kristy Dear Kristy, This is a fun question for me. We all know we should not play favorites but some days … It can be scary when you hear your child/children ask “Who is your favorite?” […]
What to Do with All that Halloween Candy!
After a great night of Trick-or-Treating, you’re a bit worried that your child is going to eat 2 pounds of Halloween candy a day for the next few weeks. So what can you do about it?! Many parents will limit the amount of candy their children are allowed to eat after Halloween (1-2 pieces/day). Some […]
Helping Your Child in Times of Tragedy
Children don’t understand what has happened or why it happened. Quite frankly, neither do most adults. It is important to answer your child’s questions as honestly as possible at an Age-Appropriate level.
I did NOT see that coming! Mother’s Day 2018
My youngest daughter provided me with a brand new, unforgettable Mother’s Day experience this year! The day before Mother’s Day was wonderful. I volunteered at the MS Walk in the morning with my Girl Scout troop. When I got home, my older daughter had finished the laundry and washed the dishes! Then I got to […]