Category Archives: Parenthood

Ask Dr. G: How to Get Kids to Clean Their Room (and Other Miracles)

How can I get my 11 yo (ADD) daughter and 5 yo son to clean their rooms? Not squeaky, just clean floors, no trash, laundry away? Jennifer, in WA Is it worth it to make our kids keep their rooms clean? Yes, most days. But it still often feels like trying to teach your dog…

8 Tips for Making Mornings Easier with Kids

Are you a morning person? I’m not! As my kids have hit elementary school, they too struggle with mornings. As much as I love being with them, I dread waking them. Know what I mean? Make a list. Kids and teens do better when our expectations are clearly communicated. So work with your child to…

How to Make School Mornings Run More Smoothly

School mornings can be a hectic time of scrambling for clothes and shoes, putting homework papers in the backpacks, packing lunches and making sure all the notes are filled out for the teachers. Setting up good habits and routines for handling all of these potential stress points can go a long way to making the…

Easy Way to Save $1,000: Cloth Diapering

One easy way to save at least $1,000 in your budget is to switch from disposable diapers to cloth diapers. And that’s just savings on the diapers themselves. Don’t forget that you’ll be saving on trash bags, and reducing the amount of trash that goes into a landfill, along with reducing the amount of oil…

How to Prepare Your Daughter for Her First Period

When I was eleven, I was at the mall with my friend, Allison. After lunch I went to use the restroom and there I saw blood.  Despite some nerves I did not say a word and we went on with our day.  That evening at home it happened again.  I had absolutely no idea what…

Teaching Kids Responsibility Through Pet Ownership

Life with a pet is filled with love. Dogs snuggle with you when you’re down. Cats are always up for playful fun. Watching fish swim is relaxing. Pet birds add music to your life. But with all the benefits pets bring to our lives, they also come with a great deal of responsibility. Pets are…

Traveling with the Grandparents: How to Help it Go Smoothly

Every summer, my daughter goes to her grandparents for three weeks. One week each month of summer break. Sometimes they stay home and just chill. I mean, come on.  They have a great house only 10 minutes from the beach and a pool in their backyard. Can’t ask for a better combination, right? Plus, they…

Girls’ Spa Night: Make a Connection That Lasts A Lifetime

Mothers and daughters have a connection that lasts a lifetime. When girls are little, they look up to their mother and try to emulate her. But kids grow up fast, and soon your daughters won’t be interested in spending time with you. Instead, they’re hanging out with friends and *gasp* going out with boys! I’ve…

7 Ways to Help Your Child Organize Himself

Have you ever witnessed a child who constantly dominates a conversation, or a child who grabs objects out in public, even after being told not to touch? What about a child who just doesn’t seem to know how to wait his turn? Are these “bad” kids or are they kids who need help learning how…

How to Ease the Kids {and Yourself} into a Back-to-School Routine

Yes, it is August already and if you want things nice and easy in September, it is a good time to start easing the kids into a back-to-school routine. Can I see you do the happy dance?! Wondering how to get started with helping the kids and yourself adjust to school season? Here’s an easy…