EXPERT ON CALL – HANDLING TEMPER TANTRUMS Q. I’ve read that I should ignore my child’s tantrums, but I worry that he’ll think I don’t care.  What is the best way of handling temper tantrums? A. Not all tantrums are alike. Therefore, using one approach for all tantrums is usually ineffective. You need to identify the cause of the tantrum your child is having to respond in a way that is most productive. There are four types of tantrums: Frustration tantrums. When a child is frustrated, it is reassuring for a parent to notice those feelings and the difficulty of... (Read More ...)

  Is My Child Ready to Be Home Alone? Is There a Legal Age For Children to Stay Home Alone? The end of the school year brings a tough decision for many parents, “Is my child ready to be home alone?” Many parents answer this question simply by looking at a child’s age or maturity, but really need to consider both. Parents may also wonder “is there a legal age for children to stay home alone?”  There is an unwritten, unspoken “law” among social service and law enforcement professionals that no child nine-years-old or younger should be left home alone – no... (Read More ...)

Concerns about Child Development Stages Parenting Advice Corner Question : My son will be 4 in September. He is trying to remain a baby . We do not encourage any type of behavior that he should be past Taken from: Concerns About Child Development Stages  (Read More ...)

Concerns About Teenage Drinking Parents, Take the “Prom Promise” Prom night and graduation parties are upon us. Many teens will take the “Prom Promise” to abstain from drug and alcohol use. Parents need to make a “Prom Promise” too, to be responsible parents that don’t intentionally or inadvertently encourage teen drinking. Many parents think teenage drinking is inevitable, but it’s not. If parents believe all teens will drink, they are underestimating teens’ abilities to make responsible decisions. They are also making an excuse for abandoning their parental... (Read More ...)