You’ve heard the adage, “You are what you eat,” right? Well, what you think about is just as important. In any given moment, what are you thinking about? Maybe you’re dreading what your child’s going to do next. Perhaps you’re thinking about what’s for dinner. You might even be thinking about the tantrum your child had yesterday (and how you handled it). Chances are, you’re thinking about the past or the future.
Your thoughts determine your behavior. Right before I lost my temper with my strong-willed daughter yesterday, I can look …

If you’re a mom who struggles with feeling “good enough” (and who among us hasn’t?), you may be prone to comparing yourself to other moms. Thanks to the beauty of the internet, moms can now compare themselves 24/7! Just the other day I was reading a blog post about a mom who is pregnant with her fourth child and yet who makes the time to do amazing art projects and organic cooking sessions with her children, all of whom are under the age of 6! The pictures on her blog …

Being a mom and experiencing stress often go together like peanut butter and jelly. But how much stress is too much? When is it time to take note and make a change? The following signs can help you know when to say, “Enough, already!”
Sign #1: You feel frustrated and cranky about the little things: how your spouse’s teeth clink against his cereal spoon, the way your child’s voice sounds when she’s excited and when you want peace and quiet(when you’re under stress, noise and pitch can seem excrutiating to our ears) , when …

Or must they always be patient, loving and kind? Are the two mutually exclusive? As a mom of a strong willed child myself, I have yelled at my daughter and have responded with the patience of a saint. It depends on the day and how stressed I am. And how well I’ve taken care of myself. Much as we would like to be the perfect, all-knowing moms, it just ain’t possible. Really. It’s not. Being human prevents it. As an admitted perfectionist, this seriously bugs me. I’ve read way too …

1. When your child is asleep, at school, or just not with you, think about one thing you love about him or her. Imagine it fully. For me, it’s my daughter’s sweet laughter. I can easily imagine her laughing at something, her head thrown back in a healthy expression of joy or humor. Doing this helps you reconnect with the positive aspects of your child.
2. Picture your child using his or her temperamental traits for good. Is she bossy? Picture her effectively leading a major corporation someday (Sound silly? So …

Ever wonder what you did to be “blessed” with a spirited, strong-willed child? Amidst your ponderings, did you ever think, “What would life be like if I didn’t have to deal with these discipline issues day to day?” I have. And I bet you have too, at least once. Almost every mom I’ve ever worked with has revealed in a guilty whisper, “I wish I didn’t feel this way–you know, like it’s not fair that I have to be the one with a strong-willed child. Do good moms feel this way?” …