Resolve family conflicts and make the holidays happy for everyone
Written by Beryl Meyer
Seasonal celebrations can be fraught with tension, as we're flooded with idealized images of family gatherings that seem so unlike our own. Past issues, too, often come back to haunt the season like uninvited guests. But our expert advice will place forgiveness - a dish best served with a side of empathy and warmth - on the menu.
Take a Deep Breath
Defensiveness is a physiological reaction that makes you tense, puts you on guard and hampers your ability to take in new information, say experts. So before you even sit down at the table with that one family member who has a history of pushing your buttons, breathe.
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Work Your Way Through a Homework Slump
Getting ahead or falling behind - the right tools can make the difference
Written by Beryl Meyer
It's not uncommon for kids to lose steam when it comes to keeping up with their homework, so if your child is struggling, don't despair. A timely intervention can keep your kid on track - in terms of both their interest in school and in their grades - and help increase their success in the classroom.
Why do some kids sail through homework assignments while others stall out? It's not always for lack of trying. Even the smartest students can trip themselves up when different factors come together to create the perfect storm. To fully understand when and why children hit that speed bump and start to lag, parents must start by "pulling apart the task, the environment in which it has to be done, and the child's abilities," advises Richard Guare, Ph.D., co-author of Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential.
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Is it Time for Outside Help?
When you've done all you can to help your child, educational resources in your community and online - many of them free - can provide the expertise they need. Consider these options:
Ask their teacher. They understand more than anyone the areas in which your child is struggling, and may be able to locate tutors right through the school system. You should also find out if your child's school offers group study sessions, or if homework help already available at their after-school program (every after-school program funded by The Children's Trust includes a literacy component, for example) can be pumped up to address your child's specific needs.
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Ease Your Child's Fear of the Dentist
Kids will take their cues from you, so it's best to be prepared
As parents and caregivers, we do our best to shield our children from anxiety, pain, fear and disappointment. But when a big bad like a hurricane or an earthquake occurs, kids need more than the usual reassurances to make it through to the other side. The following tips can help:
Calm their fears. Talk to your kids about the difficulties you and your family - and others - may be facing, but reassure them that normalcy is within reach. "After experiencing trauma, children need to feel safe and get back to business as usual, even though their world and yours may be anything but," says Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World. "Return to those routines that are do-able: ask how their day at school was, play a board game with them after dinner, cuddle up and read them a story or say your nighttime prayers together. Above all, let your child know that while their world may seem upside down, one thing remains constant: you are there for them."
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