Great children's book

I just came across this wonderful children's book which illustrates "I'm a child, and I just want to belong"!!

Take a look!
http://nobodylikesmebook.com/about-the-book/

Emotional Management of the Alien Creature

Have you experienced a crazy moment with your kids when they seem unreasonable and it feels like you are talking to an angry alien or an detached zombie?  During moments like these, you silently wonder what happened to your sweet child's brain? Is it too much sugar? Should you ground them forever?

The following link to an on line video explains the science involved and what is really happening inside the brain of a growing child after an emotional reaction. Just click the segment on Emotion Management. 

http://www.cfchildren.org/programs/ssp/ms/msvideo

Kelly Pfeiffer also has some excellent ideas on teen brains.  You can find her article called, The Adolescent Brain and Decision Making Skills" by hitting this link:

http://parentingteens.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_adolescent_brain_and_decision_making_skills

School Wars

Shorter days, crisper air and beautiful fall colors signal us that the lazy days of summer are over.  Many of us welcome autumn and the seasonal change but for families with school age children, this is often when the Homework Wars begin. 

Some families seem to handle the back to school routine with ease, but if you are one of those parents who get a sinking feeling in your gut when your phone shows ten messages from the school, or you find yesterday’s homework stuffed under the car seat, I have some tips for you.

If you are thinking, “I know the basics like routine, commitment and consistency, I just can’t get my child’s co operation,” perhaps we can offer some tips and a better battle plan.

Wars begin when people take opposite sides of a problem. So by joining your student’s side and you are half ways there.  This can be accomplished by a family brain storm session where you become the curious observer instead of the commanding general. 

Curious observer:  “I noticed 3^rd grade teachers are sending more assignments home this year.”

Student: “Yeah, I hate that.  It is all stupid stuff.”

Curious observer: “It is pretty hard to do homework when you think it is stupid.”

Student: “Well, I just wish I could play after school.”

Curious observer: “Yeah, but what happened when you play all afternoon and then go to school without your homework?”

Student: “I feel stupid and I hate school.”

Curious observer: “Yeah, I hate to be unprepared for things too. Is there a way you could get play time in and get your homework done?”

Student: “Well, when I play first, I just forget about doing my homework.”

Curious observer: “Yeah, it is hard to remember when you are having fun.  Can you think of a way you could remember?”

Student: “Well, would you call me when it is homework time?”

Curious observer: “Well, then you might get mad at me sometimes when you didn’t want to come.”

Student: “Yeah, why don’t we set the time on the stove?”

Curious observer: “That sounds like a creative solution.  Let’s try that for a while and see how it works for you. We can review your plan later if it isn’t working for you.”

Try be curious about your child's world and let me know the results. It is better than being at war and might yield some interesting results.