Browsing Category
The Parent Trap
The Parent Trap: Kids Teaching Parents
by Betsy McMillin
I wonder if anyone has ever tried to figure out how many hours in our lifetime we, as parents, spend teaching our kids. Of the time we spend each day with our kids, especially the early years, the majority of it has got…
The Parent Trap: R-E-S-P-E-C-T
by Betsy McMillin
Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners. ~Laurence Sterne
It was typical craziness at my house the other day, eleven kids under the age of 12. Although, when I start out with six of…
The Parent Trap: How To Land Your Kids In Therapy
by Betsy McMillin
I was really excited after my editor told me to check out an article in The Atlantic, "How To Land Your Kids In Therapy," by Lori Gottlieb. Excited because I realized I had touched on something when I wrote both "The…
The Parent Trap: Balancing Truth & Secrecy With Kids When Parents Have Worries
by Betsy McMillin
My 14-year-old daughter came up to me yesterday and asked "Mumma, what's the matter today? You seem really sad." I replied, "Yeah, I got some sad news from a good friend."
Sad news? Try monumentally depressing news. From…
The Parent Trap: Hello, May I Know Who’s Calling, Texting & Sending Pics, Please?
by Betsy McMillin
I was mulling over what topic to write about next. Then my phone rang; I ignored it. It rang again. And again. And again.
I had my topic.
According to an April 16, 2011 piece by April Conger for ABC News:
Data from…
Happy Father’s Day!
by Betsy McMillin
Happy Father's Day! I know I have some Dads out there who read my posts regularly. Thank you for reading. The fact that you are consistently reading a post on parenting speaks volumes. I know, I know, I shouldn't say…
Listening (Really Listening) To Our Kids
by Betsy McMillin
One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to know when to keep our mouths shut. When to keep our all-important parent facts inside and just listen to what our kids have to say. They are amazing little and big…
The Parent Trap: Dealing With Stress—Baseball Bat Days
by Betsy McMillin
Most days I really enjoy my kids, my job as mom. I am, for the most part, amused throughout the day by what they say and do, and am emotionally on a pretty even keel.
Then there are those other days. I call them…
The Parent Trap: The Art of the Back-Handed Compliment (Zingers)
by Betsy McMillin
Parent says: "Great job cleaning your room kiddo! Oh man, if only you did everything this quickly and thoroughly!'"
Ouch.
May as well give the kid a big hug then punch the kid in the gut.
Such back-handed compliments…
Pushing Our Kids Away….Just A Bit
by Betsy McMillin
I am celebrating today. As well as mourning.
My tiniest tot, my sweet two and a half year old, fell asleep and slept in her own "big girl bed," all night. Okay, so her bed is right beside ours, but baby steps, right?
I…
