Dos and Don'ts for Managing Parenting Anxiety

Mom of 14 Nadya Suleman (dubbed "Octomom" for her octuplets ) is an exaggerated example of parenting fail. ABC Good Morning America cataloged some of the single mom's most egregiously bad decisions, including a Xanax addiction. Granted, parenting is stressful. But there are healthier ways to manage anxiety. From past experience with antidepressants, I say they cause more problems than they cure. Here are dos and don'ts for treating parenting anxiety and depression.  Dos and Don'ts for Managing Parenting Anxiety

Parent Competition Makes for Unhealthy Relationships

I've long heard it said that parents can (and should) be able to do it all--keep a nice home, raise great kids, work full time, stay financially solvent, be healthy, etc. In 24 years of parenting four kids, I've realized that not only is that thinking flawed, it's dangerous. You can't have it all--something gives somewhere, often where you least expect it. We shouldn't expect perfection of ourselves or other parents. And most intolerable of all, is when one parent capitalize on another parent's failures to highlight her own apparently successful parenting. It's easy to pass judgement on someone else, more difficult to see our own flaws. What that boils down to is competition. And competition among parents is particularly toxic. Here's why.  Read more

Teaching kids proactive decision-making skills

One of my biggest regrets in parenting is that I didn't always think through the consequences of certain choices. I don't expect to be able to predict the future, but I wish I'd been less impetuous. To that end, I'm rethinking ways to mindfully parent kids so they learn healthier decision-making skills. Here are tips to do that. Teaching kids proactive decision-making skills

Sibling rivalry: Parenting tips to help kids get along

It makes me sad when I hear parents say their don't like each other. Not to brag (well, maybe a little), but our four kids all get along great and always have. I don't say that to be self-righteous. I don't know just why our family has so little sibling rivalry. We may just be lucky. If it had anything to do with our parenting, here's what we did. Read more  Sibling rivalry: Parenting tips to help kids get along

Teaching kids friendship skills begins with parent example

Making friends (and keeping them) is one of the most important skills kids learn. But it's not learned with textbooks or lesson plans. Building healthy relationships is a hands-on activity. When kids struggle to make friends, it's easy for to blames schools. But schools can only do so much to foster friendship skills. The best lessons begin and end at home. Here are ways parents can teach kids to make friends.  Teaching kids friendship skills begins with parent example 

Parenting (and surviving) teen relationship drama

As a mom, I'm generally confident handling childhood hurdles--potty-training, picky eaters, night frights--bring 'em on. There's one issue that shakes my equanimity--teen relationship drama. Whether they're boyfriend-girlfriend connections or same-gender friendships, teenage relationships are often fraught with drama and drenched in anxiety. Frankly, I rather beard a lion in its den than deal with drama. Even the term sets my teeth on edge. Disagreeable as they are, relationship problems are part of life. After four kids (and a lot of trial and error), I've assembled some thoughts for parents on helping kids navigate peer relationships.  How to parent teens through relationship drama without going crazy - Yahoo! Shine

How to argue, fight (safe and healthy) with your partner, spouse

There's a misnomer in parenting intelligentsia that mom and dad should never argue around the kids. This myth is not only unrealistic and unfair, it's unhealthy. Disagreements are normal. Kids need to see their parents squabble to learn communication and interaction skills. Obviously, there are cleaner ways to fight, but even messy battles provide learning opportunities. Here are some healthy "fight club" rules for parents.  Healthy 'fight club' rules for parents 

Teaching kids healthy communication, interpersonal skills by modeling

 Have you ever observed a parent shouting at a child to settle down? It would be funny if it wasn't so sad. The only thing this child is learning is that mommy yells, so yelling must be the right way to communicate. Hypocritical behavior like this not only jeopardizes the parent's relationship with the child, but the child's ability to form healthy relationships. These habits doom other relationships, too. This is just one troublesome parenting communication fail. Here are some others, along with healthier ways to help kids learn to get along.Teaching kids healthy communication, interpersonal skills by modeling 

Teaching kids healthy communication, interpersonal skills by modeling

Have you ever observed a parent shouting at a child to settle down? It would be funny if it wasn't so sad. The only thing this child is learning is that mommy yells, so yelling must be the right way to communicate. Hypocritical behavior like this not only jeopardizes the parent's relationship with the child, but the child's ability to form healthy relationships. These habits doom other relationships, too. This is just one troublesome parenting communication fail. Here are some others, along with healthier ways to help kids learn to get along.  Teaching kids healthy communication, interpersonal skills by modeling

Bella Santorum and All Trisomy 18 Kids Are Miracles

GOP candidate Rick Santorum and I are close theologically, worlds apart ideologically and politically, and right on the same page about kids. Santorum's youngest daughter, 3-year-old Bella, was back in the hospital for the second time this year, says ABC News Medical Unit. The child has Trisomy 18 are rare genetic disorder that is often fatal. Santorum has asked for space and privacy to be with his child. I say let's put differences aside and give the family that respect. I think we also need to celebrate Trisomy kids like Bella for as long as they grace our lives.  Bella Santorum and All Trisomy 18 Kids Are Miracles 

Levi Johnson Fathering Another Baby is No One's Business

 Levi Johnson, father of tea party figurehead Sarah Palin's grandson Tripp (with Palin's eldest Bristol), is fathering another child with his new girlfriend, Sunny Oglesby. I'm not sure what response the media expects of us: Shock, righteous indignation? The best I can muster is tepid apathy. The New York Daily News primly calls the pregnancy "out of wedlock." I don't think anyone is startled by revelations of babies born on the wrong side of the blanket. It's not like Johnson is a kid, either. The couple says they're happy. That's refreshing. With all the haranguing about abortion rights, you'd think pregnancy was some kind of randomly acquired infection. Levi Johnson Fathering Another Baby is No One's Business 

Michelle Duggar Unfairly Advocates Big Families

Is it wasteful to have a family of 21 in these times? No, according to Michelle Duggar, quiverful-mom of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting," because the population explosion is a myth. Duggar explained this in an interview with CBN's The 700 Club. I don't always see eye-to-eye with Jezebel, but I find myself nodding my head at their analysis that Michelle may not be seeing the big picture. Let me add that I'm sure the Duggars are lovely people-kind and loving. I just don't think they're being fair linking their larger-than-life family to God's blessings, when we all know their show nets them a lot of things that most large families couldn't afford. They also enjoy the support from many sources. There's a lot more that goes into caring for that large a family than what two parents could ever provide. Read more at  Michelle Duggar Unfairly Advocates Big Families

Michelle Duggar Miscarriage, Loses 20th Baby

Michelle Duggar Loses 20th Baby; Miscarriage Resources for Parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, quiverfull parents of TLC's "19 and Counting" lost their 20th child. A 19-week ultrasound detected no heartbeat and the Duggars have opted to let the miscarriage occur naturally, says People magazine. Here are stillborn-infant and miscarriage information for parents. Medicine Net says 60 percent to 70 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most occur before 13 weeks and many before mom knows she's conceived. Despite it's commonness, miscarriage, is one of the most guilt-producing events in parenting. Read more...

Parents Sound Off About Transgender Chaz Bono Dancing with Lacey Schwimmer on DWTS

Transgender Chaz Bono Dances with Lacey Schwimmer on DWTS? Chaz Bono, formerly Chastity, child of Sonny and Cher, underwent gender reassignment surgery. Chaz is pairing with Lacey Schwimmer on "Dancing with the Stars". Some viewers have complained, saying children shouldn't be subjected to transgender agenda . Do these viewers speak for everyone? Here are parent responses. Read on...

Jessica Simpson Breast Reduction Surgery; Her Dad Did Not Say That, Did He? - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

Jessica Simpson Breast Reduction Surgery; Her Dad Did Not Say That, Did He? Jessica Simpson was considering breast reduction surgery. The well-endowed actress turned country singer has pretty much decided against surgery, but if she did, you'd expect that her dad, a ex-minister would be encouraging. Instead, he bragged about his daughter's ample chest. I'm still in shock. Read more...