The Disadvantages to Appeasing Children

There is no question about it: we all want what is best for our children. We want to see them happy and thriving with big smiles on their faces.  Often, we fall into a routine of doing everything possible to give our kids the world. But the best isn’t always what it...

Bribes Versus Rewards

Sometimes we get wrapped up in trying to get our kids to modify their behavior at whatever cost. It may seem convenient at the time however, there are long-term effects that are hard to undo. One basic rule we teach the families in our practice is: when trying to...

Dear Parent: “No” is a Full Sentence

The world of psychology and parent-child relationships appears artificially split between the school of attachment and the school of behaviorism. The attachment folks frown upon sleep training and consequences while the behaviorists balk at parents leaning in to hug a...