Currently Browsing: Beth Long 22 articles
Appreciating the Differences
One of the reasons I am so passionate about my job is that I want to help other parents not make all the mistakes I made. Unfortunately, one of my greatest blunders is that I did not embrace and appreciate the differences between my oldest child and me. I am an extreme extrovert. I love […]
Control What You Can
My husband and I recently watched Summer Rental, a 1985 movie about a family on vacation. We noticed a stark difference between the behavior of the children in this older movie and the behavior of children in more recent productions. The children in “Summer Rental” were more realistic. They talked too much but could entertain […]
When Efforts to Help Your Child May Actually Hurt
Has your child ever approached you for comfort, but your efforts to calm escalated the distress? When this occurs, you are probably displaying a near enemy of what you actually want to portray. Near enemies look like the emotion we are attempting to foster but make the situation worse instead. The near enemy of kindness […]
Emotionally Healthy Parents Do These Things
One of the greatest tragedies in our society is that we do not require more education for marriage or parenting. Two of the hardest jobs anyone will ever have are being a spouse and/or a parent. Both roles are full of challenges and rewards. Doing these jobs well requires a great deal of emotional health. […]
Helping Your Child Feel Safe
Sometimes we can see the facts of a situation and recognize what is true, but still not feel that it is true. For example, I often have dreams about a snake biting me. When this happens, I have to look through the sheets and covers to fully accept the truth that there is no snake. […]
Teaching Kids to Pause When Angry
David A. Powlison’s book Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness suggests that all anger is rooted in selfishness. Selfishness can simply be described by the saying, “I want what I want when I want it.” Anger is born when we do not get what we want. Anger can be both good and […]
Don’t Control, Fix or Avoid
From 2000 to 2016, opioid-related deaths in the U.S. increased by 300%. In contrast, Germany, the 2nd largest opioid prescribing country, did not experience an increase. The huge difference is that Germans believe discomfort is a part of the healing process while Americans believe it should be fully avoided. I believe that the American culture’s […]
Teach Them to… PAUSE
Can you control your thoughts, feelings, and emotions? If you answered “yes”, think again. Adult thoughts, feelings, and emotions come and go as quickly as children when it is time to do chores. We have no control over them. The only thing we can control is our response. Appropriate responses are created when we learn […]
Are You a Lawn Mower Parent?
“Helicopter parents” are becoming obsolete and replaced by “lawn mower parents”. This new breed of parenting style plows ahead of their children, arranging their lives in an attempt to eliminate sorrow, discomfort, and misfortune. “Lawn mower parents” are not preparing their child for the road, they are preparing the road for their child. This style […]
Parent Question: What Do I Do When My Child Lies?
“What do I do when my child lies?” I get this question all the time. Trust me, you are not the only parent struggling with this. This is normal, so don’t question every parenting decision you have ever made when your kid tells a fib. This article highlights the four categories of lies, how to […]