Positive Parenting Archives - Mr. Dad

Jamie Glowacki, author of Oh Crap! Potty Training. Topic: Everything modern parents need to know to do it once and do it right. Issues: How do I know if my child is ready; why won’t my child poop in the potty; how do I avoid power struggles; How can I get their daycare provider on […] The post The Mystery and Madness of Toilet Training appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Brad M. Reedy, author of The Journey of the Heroic Parent. Topic: Your child’s struggle with mental illness. Issues: The need to understand yourself before you can help your child; breaking free from guilt and setting healthy boundaries; understanding the difference between control and influence; why being right won’t solve the problems at hand; learning […] The post Heroic Parents appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Ann Gadzikowski, author of Creating a Beautiful Mess. Topic: Essential play experiences for a joyous childhood. Issues: Playing with blocks; turn-taking games; pretend and make believe; the joys of messes; finding and collecting; and more. The post Pretend and Make Believe appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Katherine Ozment, author of Grace without God. Topic: The search for meaning, purpose, and belonging in a secular age. Issues: Percentage of adults who don’t identify with any organized religion is growing; are they skipping out on more than tired rituals and ancient folklore? How do non-religious people fill the need for community, more guidance, […] The post Searching for Meaning Without Religion appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Paul Tough, author of Helping Children Succeed. Topic: What works to help low income kids and why. Issues: What does growing up in poverty do to children’s mental and physical health and development? How does adversity at home affect their success in the classroom? What practical steps can parents, teachers, and policymakers take to improve […] The post How Adversity at Home Affects Success in Life and School appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Michele Borba, author of Unselfie, Topic: Why empathetic kids succeed in our all-about-me world. Issues: The hidden advantage of empathy and why it matters for children; how to develop empathy; what empathetic kids do that non-empathetic kids don’t; developing moral courage; becoming an empathetic leader The post The Hidden Advantage of Empathy and Why It Matters appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Ira Chasnoff, author of The Mystery of Risk. Topic: Drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, and the vulnerable child. Issues: An overview of biological and environmental risks to newborns; risks to children exposed to marijuana, alcohol, and harder drugs in utero; behavior, memory, and other problems in drug-/alcohol-exposed children; diagnosing and treating drug-/alcohol-exposed children. The post Biological and Environmental Risks to Unborn Babies appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Catherine Pearlman, author of Ignore It! Topic: How selectively looking the other way can decrease behavior problems and increase parenting satisfaction. Issues: What behaviors are appropriate to ignore and what to do when ignoring isn’t an option; use ignoring to eliminate problem behavior in just a few days; creating a reward system that actually works; […] The post Avoid Battles of Wills appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Michael Bennett and Sarah Bennett, authors of F*ck Love. Topic: Sensible advice for finding a lasting relationship. Issues: Reasons good people can’t find good partners; questions to which the answer is always “no”; how to prevent yourself from getting worn out by internet dating; the myth of the sense of humor; should my partner and […] The post Why Good People Can’t Find Lasting Relationships appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Richard Watts, author of Entitlemania. Topic: How not to spoil your kids, and what to do if you already have. Issues: Why it’s a mistake to be friends with your child; Do delay gratification, Do let your kids struggle; Do give memories instead of things DON’T sacrifice yourself to make life easier for them; DON’T […] The post Overcoming Entitlemania appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Beau Lotto, author of Deviate. Topic: The science of seeing differently. Issues: Why we don’t see reality (and why our brains didn’t evolve to perform that function); how realizing that we aren’t seeing reality can make us more creative and innovative at work, home, play, and love; why we need to embrace uncertainty; how changing […] The post Change Your Environment, Change Your Brain appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Mary Lamia, author of What Motivates Getting Things Done. Topic: Procrastination, emotions, and success. Issues: The differences between task-driven procrastinators and deadline-driven procrastinators; tools to turn agitation and annoyance into affirmation and acceptance; helping procrastinators jump-start their system and make the most out of their time; much more. The post Turn Agitation and Annoyance into Affirmation and Acceptance appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Lea Waters, author of The Strength Switch. Topic: How the new science of strength-based parenting can help your child to flourish. Issues: Understanding strengths; the ages and stages of strength growth; building strength through attention, savoring, gratitude, and goofing off; strength-based living in the real world; much more. The post Building Strength Through Attention, Savoring, Gratitude, and Goofing Off appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Jack Gilbert, author of Dirt is Good. Topic: The advantage of germs for your child’s developing immune system. Issues: The microbiome; the importance of the bacteria that live inside us across the lifespan (but especially in childhood); where does our microbiome come from? The effects of diet, antibiotics, probiotics, and more; physical, emotional, and psychological […] The post The Advantage of Germs appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Jed Diamond, author of The Enlightened Marriage. Topic: Transformative states of relationships and why the best is still to come. Issues: The five stages of marriage—and why too many couples stop at stage 3; making a commitment to love; how healing childhood trauma can save your marriage; why incompatibility can be a good thing; differences […] The post The Enlightened Marriage appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Vicki Hoefle, author of Parenting as Partners. Topic: How to launch your kids without ejecting your spouse. Issues: Why it’s important to explore childhood experiences and understand how they influence use as parents; how relationships with our parents and siblings affect our parenting style; the elements of day-to-day living that cause the most confusion and […] The post Becoming Partners in Parenting + Commiting to Love appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Michael Bradley, author of Crazy Stressed. Topic: Saving todays overwhelmed teens with love, laughter, and the science of resilience. Issues: Understanding what’s wrong with the teen brain, teen culture, and the world they live in; what resilience is and why it’s so important; common resilience challenges such as behavior, school, sex and dating, and social […] The post Teens and the Science of Resilience appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Lisen Stromberg, author of Work, Pause, Thrive. Topic: How to pause for parenthood without killing your career. Issues: The politics of pausing; men want a place in the home; conscious careers, conscious choices; thriving: the career you deserve, the life you want; money matters; the need to prepare yourself and your career before you pause; […] The post Work, Pause, Thrive appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Harriet Lerner, author of Why Won’t You Apologize? Topic: Healing big betrayals and everyday hurts. Issues: Best ways to ruin an apology; why some people refuse to apologize while others over-apologize; how to get past anger and resentment when you’ll never get the apology you deserve; why forgiving too quickly can hurt you; the simple […] The post The Art of the Apology appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Joseph McCormack, author of Noise. Topic: Living and leading when nobody can focus. Issues: Weapons of mass distraction and how we’re becoming deaf to information overload; how our brains are changing; the effects of info overload; the loss of civil discourse; how to start tuning in; how to start focusing on what matters most to […] The post Living and Leading When Nobody Can Focus appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Tara Haelle, coauthor of The Informed Parent. Topic: The science of parenting in your child’s first four years. Issues: The importance of looking at the science before acting on advice you get from a friend (or the Internet); the truth about soft cheese, cat poop, alcohol, vaccines, SIDS, bed sharing, pacifiers, and much more. The post The Truth About Parenting appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Liza Hanks, author of Every Californian’s Guide to Estate Planning. @NoloLaw – Instagram: nololaw Topic: What you need to know about wills, trusts, and everything else—regardless of where you live. Issues: What’s in an estate plan and why you need one; wills; living trusts; choosing a guardian for minor children; leaving money to children; estate […] The post What’s in an Estate Plan and Why You Need One appeared first on Mr. Dad.

KJ Del’Antonia, author of How to Be a Happier Parent. @KJDellAntonia Topic: Raising a family, having a life, and loving almost every minute. Issues: Why you child should do chores; siblings—bringing fun and taking it away; sports and activities—fun except when they’re not; homework; screens are fun but limiting them isn’t; discipline and why it […] The post Loving (Almost) Every Minute of Raising a Family appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Heather Miller, author of Prime Time Parenting. @PrimeTimeBook – Instagram: primetimeparenting Topic: The two-hour-a-day secret to raising great kids. Issues: The importance of reducing screen time—for kids and adults; setting up your two hours of focused parenting; homework, dinner, more homework, and off to bed; how prime time parenting will give you more “me” time; […] The post The Two-Hour-a-Day Secret to Raising Great Kids appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Barbara Oakley, author of Learning How to Learn. @barbaraoakley Topic: How to succeed in school without spending all your time studying. Issues: The problem with passion; why trying too hard can make things worse; using a tomato to beat procrastination; learning while you sleep and how to wake up smarter; school bags, lockers, and attention; […] The post How to Succeed in School Without Spending all Your Time Studying appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Mark Borg, author of Don’t Be a Dick. Topic: Change yourself, change your world. Issues: What does it mean to be a dick and why are some people (including ourselves) that way? The difference between internal dicks and external dicks; how to quit being a dick—and get others to quit too; how to avoid backsliding; […] The post Don’t Be a Dick appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Liz Frazier, author of Beyond Piggy Banks and Lemonade Stands. Topic: How to teach young kids about finance. Issues: The “right” to talk with kids about money; teaching about money in an increasingly cashless society; allowances; what is money, how do we get it, and what do we do with it? Advanced topics such as […] The post Beyond Piggy Banks and Lemonade Stands appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Leslie Schrock, author of Bumpin’. Topic: Navigating the journey from conception through birth—and beyond. Issues: Getting your bodies and your lives ready; drafting your healthcare dream team; pregnancy issues and myths (such as that having an epidural or a c-section is “failure”); difference between a birth plan and going overboard; what you don’t know about […] The post Navigating the Journey from Conception Through Birth—and Beyond appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Kelli Harding, author of The Rabbit Effect. Topic: Live longer, happier, and healthier with the groundbreaking science of kindness. Issues: The hidden factors of health (intimate relationships, social ties, work, finding your purpose, hobbies and recreation; fairness; compassion, the environment you live in, and more); essentials of health (mind-body link, trust, community health, and more); […] The post The Groundbreaking Science of Kindness appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Leah Plunkett, author of Sharenthood. Topic: Why we should think before we talk about our kids online. Issues: Mistakes adults make with children’s private information; implications of adults’ excessive digital sharing; risks of sharenting; commercial sharenting (using your private experiences to make money); the dangers of children sharing info about their parents; much more. The post Sharenthood appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Gail Gross, author of How to Build Your Baby’s Brain. Topic: Using new gene science to raise a smart, secure, and successful child, Issues: The science behind our secret parental power; turning your child’s shortcomings to strengths; success through trust; the curse of overstimulation; turning your home into a living lab; boosting the neurological health […] The post Building Your Baby’s Brain appeared first on Mr. Dad.

James Gordon, author of The Transformation. Topic: Discovering wholeness and healing after trauma. Issues: What is trauma? The biology of trauma; befriending your body; breathing, movement, laughter, gratitude, forgiveness, and other proven ways to better cope with trauma; The post Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Kim Brooks, author of Small Animals. Topic: Parenthood in the age of fear. Issues: Why so many of us are so afraid for our children—despite the fact that the world isn’t any more dangerous today than it was when we were kids; the negative effects of the culture of fear; what we can do to […] The post Parenthood in the Age of Fear appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Rachel Simmons, author of Enough as She Is. @RachelJSimmons ‏- Instagram: racheljsimmons Topic: Helping girls move beyond impossible standards to live healthy, happy, fulfilling lives. Issues: Stop overthinking, which is linked to depression, motivation loss, and binge eating; practice three steps of self-compassion; navigate new rules of stress culture—and self-care; stop catastrophizing (“my life is […] The post Empowering Girls appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Warren Farrell, co-author of The Boy Crisis. @drwarrenfarrell Topic: Why our boys are struggling and what we can do about it. Issues: Is there really a boy crisis? (hint: yes, there is) What are the elements of the boy crisis; why the boy crisis isn’t your fault; raising balanced sons in an out-of-balance world; dad-deprived […] The post The Boy Crisis appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Gail Gross, author of The Only Way Out Is Through. @DrGailGross – Instagram: drgailgross Topic: The journey from grief to wholeness. Issues: Grief as a path to healing; courage and choices; the mourning process; the meaning and role of guilt; surrendering to the grieving process; reviewing your personal life and the patterns you’ve created; relationships—marriage, […] The post Grief: The Only Way Out is Through appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Ned Johnson, co-author of The Self-Driven Child. @TestPrepGeek Topic: The science and sense of giving your kids more control over their lives. Issues: Why a sense of control is such a big deal; parents as consultants; kids as decision makers; how to help kids find a sense of control by finding your own; help kids […] The post Why a Sense of Control is Such a Big Deal appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Susan Wise Bauer, author of Rethinking School. @SusanWiseBauer – Instagram: susanwisebauer Topic: How to take charge of your child’s education. Issues: Understanding why traditional graduation requirements and standardized testing may not be necessary for a child’s future success; how to negotiate the 12-grade school system in a way that nurtures and protects your child’s mind, […] The post Rethinking Everything About School appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Kim Brooks, author of Small Animals. Topic: Parenthood in the age of fear. Issues: Why so many of us are so afraid for our children—despite the fact that the world isn’t any more dangerous today than it was when we were kids; the negative effects of the culture of fear; what we can do to […] The post Parenthood in the Age of Fear appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Carla Naumburg, author of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids. Topic: A practical guide to becoming a calmer, happier parent. Issues: Why are you losing your stuff with your kids? Knowing what your buttons are and what kids are doing to push them; how doing less will help you not lose your […] The post Becoming Calmer, Happier Parent appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Lauren Smith Brody, author of The Fifth Trimester. @Laurensbrody – Instagram: thefifthtrimester Topic: The working mom’s guide to style, sanity, and success after baby. Issues: Who’s taking care of your little person? Getting through “I have to quit.” Looking human again (on beauty and style); feeling human again; keeping your expectations (of yourself and others) […] The post The Fifth Trimester appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Suhas Kshirsagar, author of Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life. @doctorsuhas – Instagram: drsuhashi Topic: How to harness the power of clock genes. Issues: Optimal times to eat, sleep, exercise, and more to lose weight, optimize your workouts, get more rest, and improve performance at home and at work. The post Harness the Power of Clock Genes appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Abby Maslin, author of Love You Hard. Topic: A memoir of marriage, brain injury, and reinventing love. Issues: An unflinchingly honest story of tragedy and recovery, of caring for–and loving–a husband who, after a brutal attack, had become a completely different person; learning to heal after profound grief; choosing joy in the wake of tragedy. The post Marriage, Brain Injury, and Reinventing Love appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Adelia Moore, author of Being the Grownup. Topic: Love, limits, and the natural authority of parenthood. Issues: What is natural authority; relationships, security, and connection; gaining clarity about your values and beliefs, interdependent family relationships; the rhythms of everyday life; where you are and what you say; being the grownup. The post Love, Limits, and the Natural Authority of Parenthood appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Jamie Glowacki, author of Oh, Crap! I Have a Toddler. Topic: Tackling these crazy, awesome years—no time-outs needed. Issues: Setting boundaries; understanding toddler brain and physical development; why parents need to stop educating and stop talking so much; understanding toddlers’ behavior; The post Oh, Crap! I Have a Toddler appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Antonia Malchik, author of A Walking Life. Topic: Reclaiming our health and our freedom, one step at a time. Issues: Why we’ve stopped walking; the ways walking affects how we think, how we grow, how we socialize, how we move; the ways our brains and bodies rely on the simple act of walking. The post Reclaiming Our Health and Freedom, One Step at a Time appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Brian Salmon, coauthor of The Birth Guy’s Go-To Guide for New Dads. Topic: How to support your partner through birth, breastfeeding, and beyond. Issues: Preparing your relationship and yourself for parenthood; planning and packing for birth; the life of a male doula and breastfeeding coach; supporting the partner through the birth and breastfeeding; much more. The post How to Support Your Partner Through Birth, Breastfeeding, and Beyond appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Paul Smith, author of Parenting with a Story. Topic: Life lessons in character for parents and children to share. Issues: Tell a young person what to do–play fair, be yourself, stick to the task at hand–and most will tune you out. But show them how choices and consequences play out in the real world, with […] The post Life Lessons from Stories appeared first on Mr. Dad.

This week, I interview Leonard Sax, author of "The Collapse of Parenting," about how we hurt our kids when we treat them like grownups. I also interview Andrew Hacker, author of "The Math Myth," about the false promises and delusions behind STEM education. The post The Math Myth appeared first on Mr. Dad.

Whit Honea, author of The Parents’ Phrase Book. Topic: Easy, useful phrases, scripts, and techniques for every situation. Issues: Words to help you discipline and enforce limits; build a child’s self-confidence; handle questions about life and death; talk to your kids about friends, bullies, and playing by the rules—or not. The post Useful Phrases, Scripts, and Techniques for Every Situation appeared first on Mr. Dad.