ParentWonder

Helping Parents Succeed

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk: A Review & Mind Map

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The night before, I lost my temper. I felt so helpless and useless.

My daughter made a big fuss before she slept. I lost my control. I ran out of ideas how to talk to her in a friendly manner so that she could listen to me and lie down.

On the other hand, I was worried if I was not stern enough, soon there would be another spoiled child in this world.

I felt so bad and guilty for losing my cool and the punishment I imposed on my daughter.

I got to do something to improve my poor parenting skills.

I was wandering in a bookstore the following day. As I was browsing at the shelf of the “100 Must-Read Titles,” one book really stood out from the rest. As if the book was yelling at me and said, “Pick me up. You need this.”

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Traveling with Kids: How I Survived an 8-Hour Road Trip

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I just came back from visiting my parents and in-laws over the weekend. My wife and two young kids were with me.

On a normal day, the trip takes us 4 hours. But due to heavy traffic, it took us 6 hours to reach and 8 hours for the round trip respectively.

One would admit that a 6-hour (or 8-hour) trip with kids is no easy task.

In hindsight, I was amazed at myself how I survived the LONG road trip with my two young kids tagging along.

This was not the first time we traveled that far. But this was the longest.

It dawned on me that maybe it’s useful to share with you what my wife and I did that helped us pull through the trip.

Please note that we are no experts in road trips. But with our own experiences traveling long distance with kids in a car, we learned some useful tips along the way.

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Studies find acupuncture cuts post-surgical pain

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The use of acupuncture before and during surgery reduces patients' post-operative pain as well as the need for pain-killing medication, researchers said on Tuesday.

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina analyzed the results of 15 clinical trials on the effectiveness of acupuncture — a practice that originated in China of inserting thin needles into specific body points.

They concluded that it is valuable for pain control in surgery patients.

The 15 trials showed that patients getting acupuncture before or during various types of operations had significantly less pain afterward than patients who did not get acupuncture.

These patients also required less morphine or other opioid pain medication after surgery, which reduced the side effects like nausea and vomiting from these types of drugs, the researchers said.

Full report: Studies find acupuncture cuts post-surgical pain

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J.K Rowling launches U.S. book tour with mass signing

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Harry Potter might have waved his wand and cast a spell, but author J.K. Rowling sat down and cheerfully signed 1,600 books for schoolkids on Monday as she launched her first U.S. book tour in seven years.

"This is an amazing treat for me," Rowling said of the mass book signing and reading for cheering Harry Potter fans who gave her a pop star welcome in Los Angeles.

"I really miss being able to interact directly with the readers. Everyone keeps saying, 'it must be so onerous. Doesn't it hurt your hand?' But, honestly, that's the bit I really enjoy," Rowling told reporters.

The 42-year-old British author said that after 10 years of writing to a deadline, she now felt as if she was on vacation and has not yet started writing the promised Harry Potter encyclopedia that fans around the world are awaiting.

Full report: J.K Rowling launches U.S. book tour with mass signing

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Have a Great Weekend with Kids – Fun of Hiking and Checklist for Beginners

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I always try new weekend activities with my children. I want them to have weekends that are different from the rest. One more reason is to let them expose to different kinds of activities and see what they prefer.

One of the weekend getaways that my whole family loves is hiking.

We are lucky to get to know about a local Hash Harriers club through a friend. And this club organizes hikes/runs once a month for young participants.

For the first-time hiking that I joined, I felt so good after the walk. It was my first since many years back. It’s good to get connected to Mother Nature again after all these years.

My elder daughter was delighted, especially when she got a chance to play in a stream. Even though she was hesitant at first, but now she can’t wait to jump into the water when she sees one.

Likewise, my younger son dared not to even come down and walk for the first trip. He held tight to me throughout the journey. Now, when I carry him, he asks me to let him down on the trek and go into the stream.

Compared to the first trip, my kids have “improved” a lot.

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