I love the Ask Annie segments that we produce for my show — hearing from parents is one of the best parts of my job. Recently, I received four questions from Moms and Dads fighting behavior battles. Watch the video below to see my answers to these questions: Continue reading
Tagged as:
chores,
separation anxiety,
table manners,
tantrums
Annie shares the tricks to getting your kids to help out around the house.
Tagged as:
chores
Give yourself credit for small acts of caring.
My to-do list has amazing regenerative powers. For each "to-do" I slash off, two more magically appear in its place. But whenever I have a day that feels particularly unproductive, I take a second to remember Lego Man’s hair. Yes, you read that right: I’m talking about the tiny piece of plastic that fits on Lego figures’ heads. I call this to mind because of an incident that happened a few years ago on a not-so-wonderful day. Continue reading
Tagged as:
appreciation,
chores,
elementary school,
giving thanks,
kindergarteners,
motherhood,
preschoolers,
to-do list
Dear Annie,
Reminding my kids (6 and 8 years old) to help with chores, whether it’s cleaning up their rooms or helping with dinner, is a nightmare. They whine and "why" me to death. I hear myself saying things I swore I’d never say, like "Because I said so!" But bargaining for every tiny task is driving me crazy.
Sarah
Dear Sarah, Continue reading
Tagged as:
chores,
elementary school,
pre-teen,
teens,
whining
How to use play to win bedtime battles, get kids to do chores, and more
I’ve met hundreds of mothers with kids of varying ages who suffer from the perfect mom fantasy, but it seems to cling with punishing tenacity during our children’s school years. Their lives are suddenly a lot busier, homework and after-school activities much more demanding, and when they feel the pressure, we do, too. Given the current state of the economy, many parents are working extra hours or trying to find ways to cut back on treats - like dinners out - so the dreaded "witching hour," between work/school and dinner/bedtime can be particularly rough. Continue reading
Tagged as:
bedtime battles,
chores,
elementary school,
kindergarteners,
Play,
preschoolers