“Face it parents, you will be judged” is the message at the start of an article of 10 controversial parenting tips from an ABC correspondent in Phoenix, Arizona. Four self-proclaimed parenting experts chime in with their opinions, sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing, and almost always offering a slightly different way of looking at situations all parents face at some point in the parenting journey.  There are questions about spanking, schooling, and teenage drinking, for instance. It’s an interesting read. But at the end of the day, the person making the ultimate decision of what to do with your child is you.  Yet, there are others around you, watching you (not to mention your kids needing you).  As the author Eva Bowen eloquently states in her opening lines: “Parents, listen up!  It's the first rule of parenting that every new parent will quickly learn: you WILL … [Read more...]

One of the coolest things about being a parent is being able to be a child again.  Sand boxes transform into ice cream parlors and airplanes head to the grocery store on their way to Hawaii.  We live in a world where anything is possible, as long as we’re willing to pretend, and we can make people smile just by wearing a Tiara to the park.  The brilliant Ms. Debbie who spends Wednesdays with Siena reminded me of something else about this parent-child dance: it’s important to live in the child’s world.  It’s only fair.  Why always make the child join our adult world?  When we go out for lunch with our children, for instance, are we careful about the conversational spaces that we are creating?  Are we making our children speak over us, beg for attention, raise their hands so they can speak?  Why does my two-year old need to know about the new rate on our mortgage or the dangers … [Read more...]

Book tours are taking on a new life of their own. Last night, I had the pleasure of participating in Rosalind Wiseman’s Queen Bees and Wannabes book tour at Girls Inc. in Denver.  Talk about practicing what you preach – Rosalind was phenomenal.  She guided mothers and daughters into a space where they could talk freely with one another about what worried them, who they want as their allies, and what it looks like to confront a peer (or each other) with information about what the person’s doing that bothers you, and hurts you.  The daughter had a minute to speak; the mother had a minute to speak.  They were not allowed to interrupt each other.  It was time to listen…and then share. As far as listening goes, Rosalind gave some great tips for moms. When your daughter starts talking and talking at home or in the car, for example, or even if she starts yelling or crying in her … [Read more...]