When my first daughter was born, I was young, newly married, and living in a new city with no friends and no family. Even though my husband was and always has been very supportive, I knew I needed help.
Who gives you the support you need to be the parent you want to be?
My nighttime routine begins when my kids go to bed and I can get time to myself.
Which of your routines brings you the most balance right now?
Sometimes I struggle when my child is angry or having a tantrum in public or won't go to bed when I am exhausted and frustrated.
What helps you to stay calm and able to respond sensitively to your child in a moment of frustration?
My toddler daughter has recently started pulling my hair. I’ve read a lot of online discussions about parents using timeout to discipline their children, but I’ve also read about time-in.
What moments during your day do you use time-in in how you guide your child's behavior?
One year, two years, five years, 10 years...just what is the ideal spacing between siblings?
Sibling spacing and birth order aside, the most influence on whether our children form close relationships with one another is how we parent.
One of the best things about summer vacation for children who attend traditional school is that there is no fixed schedule. While a summer schedule does not have to be as intense as during the school year, we still want to take care of them in a way that's in their best interest and give them the security of knowing that their parents are in charge and taking care of their needs.
What routines did you use last summer that you want to do again? Which routines did you do last summer that you may change because your child is a year older?
My toddler, Jacob, is now 2 years and 2 months old. He breastfeeds several times a day, especially at naptime or at night.
If you breastfed, how did weaning go for you? What do you feel when you find yourself looking back on breastfeeding? What do you enjoy about your relationship with your child now?
In front of the wood-burning stove, well into winter, we began our typical summer vacation daydreaming. We settled at last on a cross-country road trip to see family.
What car ride activities do you offer your children?
Summer vacation will have both terrible and wonderful moments. When we know that both will happen, and that we can lead our children by responding thoughtfully to the circumstances that present themselves to us, we can look forward to this season.
When did your child have an opportunity to release his pent-up frustrations? What quick list of expectations can you offer your child the next time you are about to enter a stressful situation?
The core of our parenting is responding to our children with sensitivity.
However you chose to feed your baby, how do you respond with sensitivity to your baby?
Summertime can bring a variety of opportunities to connect with our children and enjoy new experiences together.
What are your favorite summertime activities to do with your child? Is there an activity that just isn't jiving with your family that you need to let go of?
I always wanted to be a daddy. I just never knew how much it would change me.
How has becoming a father changed you? What fears about parenthood have you overcome? What goals do you have for your children as they grow? What goals do you have for yourself?
Still, planning for summer vacation became much easier once I moved from thinking that my children needed to fit around my schedule and instead began to think of how I could take care of my children's developmental needs, my primary responsibility as a parent.
What part of your morning routine strengthens your relationship with your child? How about later in the day?