Parents in my Parents Anonymous Group often discussed bribery and rewards but many confused the two. What exactly is the difference and why does it matter? HINT: Bribes are not planned beforehand and parents are pressured in the moment; rewards are usually planned by the … [Read more...] about Bribery And Rewards: What’s The Difference?
Children Want To Be A Hero
We learned the hard way, our heart-shaped pond held children’s attention – and real danger. My father built a rock-lined, heart-shaped goldfish pond for my mother in the back yard. The pond measured five feet at its widest point and was all of four feet deep. That pond and I … [Read more...] about Children Want To Be A Hero
Jesus, Grandma and Spanking
This week I heard from Susan, a longtime member who has joined grandparenthood and is now dealing with new, different challenges she had not expected. Since these issues appear without warning and sometimes turn our lives upside down, I wanted to share them and my thoughts with … [Read more...] about Jesus, Grandma and Spanking
Depression and Feeling Better – Part III
Stress can dramatically affect our responses to our children’s daily needs. Parents Anonymous Group members can sometimes recognize depression in each other before we admit it to ourselves. When something is “not quite right,” others offer support and ideas to feel better. A … [Read more...] about Depression and Feeling Better – Part III
PMS and Changing Consequences
Are you a pushover parent? Are you putty in your child’s manipulating hands? Changing your mind is quite different from caving in to wailing pleas from a child. In the beginning of my career as a Parents Anonymous parent I thought once I gave a decision that it was written … [Read more...] about PMS and Changing Consequences
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to