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Search Results for: What is

What is Emotional Intelligence and Why You Should Care

by T.A. Barbella.
(This article is part of the Emotional Intelligence series. Get free article updates here.)

What is emotional intelligence and why you should care - title imageIt’s there on your bucket list of great parenting – to raise a well-adjusted, successful child who will maximize his potential and flourish as an adult. 

But how do you do that? What experiences can you give your child now to help prepare him for a world that grows increasingly complex each day?

Schools push standardized tests and curricula based around STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) or Common Core, but future success is not just about best educational practices.

The latest research indicates that the more likely predictors of future success include not just cognitive learning factors but social and emotional learning tool, starting in preschool through post-secondary education.

In other words, it’s not just about IQ, But EQ – their Emotional Intelligence Quotient – as well.

But Really, What is Emotional Intelligence?

[Read more…]

What is Mindfulness, And How to Reap its Benefits (Even if You Aren’t Into Touchy, Feely, New Agey Stuff)

by Yasmin Gamal.
(This article is part of the Mindful Parenting series. Get free article updates here.)

What is Mindfulness, And How to Reap its Benefits - IntroductionYou’ve heard of mindfulness, right?

I know, silly question. You couldn’t have escaped it unless you were living in a pod in outer space — everybody and their pet seems to be talking about it these days.

But, what is mindfulness? And can you benefit from it even if you’re not quite into the whole touchy, feely, new-agey stuff?

I hear you.

I stumbled on mindfulness by chance, or fate, depending on how you look at it and what you believe. Either way it was a happy incident.

We were in Kuala Lumpur Airport waiting for our plane to arrive and decided to grab a coffee from a place across a bookstore while we waited.

What is Mindfulness Article Book Suggestion: Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng TanI have a weakness for airport bookstores — traveling helps rid me of my inhibitions and the curse of putting too much thought into what I read. While looking through the shelves rather aimlessly, the book Search Inside Yourself: The Unexpected Path to Achieving Success, Happiness (and World Peace) by Chade-Meng Tan caught my eye. I bought it on an impulse for my husband.

At the time he was busy so I started reading it.

I was hooked.

Before becoming a stay at home mom, I was a software engineer and this book is perfect for those of us who are piqued by mindfulness but could do without the touchy, feely, new-agey vibe.

While reading the book I looked up the Google University session lead by Jon Kabbat-Zinn, a doctor who has been credited with bringing mindfulness to the attention of the west and creating a program which helps fight stress using mindfulness.

His definition of mindfulness is
[Read more…]

The Magic Word That Every Parent Needs to Embrace

by Mindy Carlson.
(This article is part of the Positive Parenting FAQ series. Get free article updates here.)

power-of-yet-main-imageIt was the beginning of the school year and my son was learning Algebra. It was not going well.

“Mom, I’m just no good at this!”

“Sure you are, honey. You just need to try harder.”

“But I’m never going to get it!”

We’ve all been right here. Our child is frustrated with homework and we want to help. Don’t you just wish you could say a magic word and make it better?

What if I told you there actually is a magic word?

Really. There is a magic word that is going to save us from disaster.

A small word.

Tiny.

In fact, it’s only 3 letters.

YET.

An adverb meaning: Up until the present or a specified or implied time.

YET. Such simple word, but oh-so magical. The power and magic of YET lies in the core of its’ meaning: Up until now. My son might not understand Algebra, but he will! He just hasn’t understood it up until now.

[Read more…]

How to Get Back on Track When You Start Heading for a Mommy Meltdown (or Daddy Detonation)

by Julie Verner, Ph.D..
(This article is part of the Positive Parenting FAQ series. Get free article updates here.)

Mommy Meltdown - MainRacing around the house, tensions are mounting, and the clock in my head is ticking louder and louder.

Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock! We’re late! We’re late!

My underlings continue to amaze me with their expert aptitude for crafting new versions of dawdling. Like a leaky bucket, minutes dribble onto the floor behind us.

Sibling conflict is a major culprit today. “Brother isn’t talking to me. He farted and I told him to say, ‘Excuse me’ and he didn’t answer.” Two minutes down the drain as his story painstakingly makes its way into words.

Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!

Another two minutes pass as I stand there scratching my head. I don’t even know how to answer him, except to say, “Just put your shoes on.”

The later it gets, the less I am able to cope with the fact that I am still wearing pajamas. Every effort to dress is circumvented. “I don’t like that kind of bread!” “Where is my other shoe?” “Can you get down my lunchbox?” “Can you pay me $2 since I took the dog potty and cleaned my room?” “Mom, this ponytail is fuzzy in the back. Can you redo it?”

Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!

Frustration builds alongside foiled efforts. Tension in my body mounts. Their silky faces, clumsily formed words, squeaky voices, and large, innocent eyes are shamefully inadequate to ward off the volcano preparing to blow.

What happens next is nothing short of a miraculous moment.

[Read more…]

How to Be a Positive Parent Even if Your Partner is Not on Board

by Jennifer Poindexter.
(This article is part of the Positive Parenting FAQ series. Get free article updates here.)

Different Parenting Styles - Main Poster“Fold the socks!”

I hear my youngest crying out of frustration, “Ohhhh, I can’t do it!”

“Yes, you can. Now I said to fold the socks!”

I come into the room, “What is going on in here?”

My husband murmured through frustration, “I’ve showed him how to fold the socks, but he won’t. Instead, he stands there and just cries…”

“Well, have you ever considered it’s because you aren’t speaking his language?”

“What do you mean speaking his language? He knows it’s because you’ll come to his rescue!”

That was just a snippet of a conversation I had with my husband a while back.

You know what I realized for the millionth time?

My husband and I do not always agree on parenting.

I’ll admit it, I’m the positive parent. I have my moments when I’m more human than positive, but I truly try to hear my kids out.

I want to communicate with them instead of barking at them.

My husband is a great father. He is a great husband. However, he was simply raised differently.

When mom or dad said to do something, you didn’t question it. You did it!

Are you and I in the same boat? You want to be a positive parent. You are trying to be a positive parent, but your partner is just not on board?

I want to share a few of my secrets that have helped me handle this dynamic without ending up in World War III on a daily basis.

[Read more…]

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Fair Warning: While none of this is professional advice, it is powerful stuff and could potentially change your life!
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