Photo Credit: Arwen Abendstern

Parents spend the first years of their children’s life trying to protect them from boo-boo’s and the ever-elusive boogeyman. As their children age, parents shift their energy to protecting their little ones from playground bullies, and later, the inevitable heartache that comes with teenage love. With time, all parents come to the difficult realization that it is impossible to protect their child from all things dangerous, sad or harmful.

What should a parent do when they are unable to protect their child from the emotional pain and sadness that occurs when tragedy strikes? Toledo area parents have been forced to answer this question in recent months, as our community has been rocked by the tragic deaths of several local teenagers.

[Read more…]

Children must be actively encouraged to feel good about themselves if they are to lead fruitful and satisfying lives

“Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness” – Sigmund Freud

[Read more…]

Children who learn from their mistakes will grow up into self-assured adults

EVERYONE makes mistakes – we adults know that for sure but not all children do. When a child makes a mistake or worse still, faces failure, we need to guide them through the experience in order for them to come out of it positively.

A child’s experience with a mistake or failure could lower his self esteem. The last thing you should do is react with disappointment, anger or impatience. Be calm when they make mistakes. Be calm when you make mistakes yourself, especially in their presence.

[Read more…]