Tag Archives: parenting techniques

Parenting Techniques Outside of the United States

The things that you consider to be typical parenting techniques might seem strange to people who live outside of the United States. Likewise, some of what parents in other countries do may seem weird to parents here. It’s all a matter of perspective. What works well for parents in one place might not be acceptable to do in other places. NPR has an article titled Global Parenting Habits that Haven’t Caught On In the U.S.. It was written by Emily Lodish and posted on August 12, 2014. In it, she points out some parenting techniques that are commonly practiced in … Continue reading →

Reasons to Love Having an Only Child: The Preschool Years

When I was growing up, only children were perceived as very negative little human beings. My mother told me that only children were spoiled and lonely. They didn’t know how to socialize. I grew up pitying only children and vowed to have at least four children of my own. I had two siblings and loved being the big sister. Then came my daughter, and then came a host of medical challenges that made it difficult for me to have more children. I found myself in an interesting position: I needed to confront my stereotypes about only children, because I was … Continue reading →

Having an Only Child: The Preschool Years

Do you have an only child? I do. We have an only child for many reasons. While I would love to have more, my husband feels done. I know that I should feel done too, for medical reasons. So here we are, with one lovely daughter. While babies and toddlers never question the fact that they are only children, kids begin to wonder about babies and siblings when they are preschoolers. As my daughter turned two and then three, she became more avidly interested in babies. This interest has only increased over time. Preschool-aged children are very aware that there … Continue reading →

Scary Times

I remember September 11th, and I’m sure you do too. My daughter wasn’t born yet, but in a couple of months we’ll make our way to Manhattan to visit my brother, and I’m debating whether to talk with her about what happened there. I also remember listening to a discussion by attachment experts and psychologists after the fact. As teachers and parents across the United States and around the world grappled with what to say to their children about the terrorist attacks, the experts were rather unified in their opinions. Tell children that they are safe, they said. Yes, explain … Continue reading →

To Try

What was it that Yoda said? Oh yes. Do or do not. There is no try. Well, I disagree. My apologies to Yoda. He may have more wisdom of the ages than I do, but he didn’t watch today’s Paralympic sledge hockey game. We live in Vancouver, Canada, the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Way back in the fall, I’d purchased tickets to the gold medal round of sledge hockey, certain that Canada would be in it. Canada lost to Japan, and Japan ended up in the final with the United States. We decided to cheer for Japan. What … Continue reading →