ATTENTION ALL PARENTS, COUNSELORS & EDUCATORS: Full disclosure: Trudy Ludwig is one of my favorite children’s authors as well as a caring human being. All her books (including Confessions of a Former Bully, Sorry, and Trouble Talk) are plain glorious, but now she’s outdone herself. Trudy has an exciting new nonfiction picture book project for kids that she’s [...]

Why we must nurture children’s hearts as well as minds: 7 ways to teach kids strong, ethical behavior and character in a decade of moral erosion This might as well go down in history as the “Decade of Moral Erosion.” Wall Street so-called “leaders,” politicians, celebrities, and even the clergy and their parade of unethical [...]

Three more essential and teachable skills in a two-part series aimed at helping our kids become independent, self-reliant, resourceful and resilient. See also Part I: How to Raise a Self-Reliant Kid. Skill 1: Brainstorming, Skill 2: Teach Self-Reliance, Skill 3: Decision Making.  Skill #4. Show how to negotiate It’s a typical Saturday morning with another sibling battle. [...]

10 Secrets to Help Kids Share,Take Turns and Join the Human Race “It’s mine.” “But I had it first!” “I want a turn!” Sound familiar? All parents want their kids to “play nice” by sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with their friends. After all, it means their child is learning how to socialize and get [...]

“I know my teacher gave me a present, but she’s getting paid for being nice.” “Why should I write Grandma a thank you note?  I told her ‘thanks’ already.”  “But it takes too much time! Can’t I just text a thank you?” If those comments sound familiar, know you’re not alone. While kids love receiving [...]