There are few experiences in life as painful as being a parent and finding oneself in the throes of intense marital unhappiness and persistent conflict. The difficult emotions and challenges that arise just in managing and trying to resolve a crisis in one's marriage or long term partnership can test even the strongest of souls....

Envision this scene: Your 3-year-old son, Johnny, is playing quietly with his toy trucks when he innocently asks, "Can I have a cookie?" Your response is, "Not now sweetie, we are going to eat dinner in 15 minutes, maybe for dessert." No problem. Johnny will continue playing quietly so you can finish your dinner preparation,...

Dinner needed to be ready soon. My son and I had just gotten home from a long day. Would he - a 2 1/2 year old at the time - be able to entertain himself - let alone keep himself out of trouble, in the time I needed to get a quick meal together? Though...

Every month we meet with directors of preschools that participate in the Alliance program, a preschool staff training program offered by Family Compass. At last month's meeting the conversation turned to children's play. There was a unanimous agreement among the fifteen directors attending that play is nature's gift to children as it promotes a broad...

Parents are important, but not in all the ways we think we are. We called our third child Annaelle, which in addition to being a pretty name, also means in Hebrew, "Please God." I often joke that we were actually saying, "Please God, let this one be easier than the other two!" She's thirteen months...

A little girl, just out of the crawling phase and only beginning to learn what the wonders of the world hold for one who can walk, spies a favorite stuffed toy on an armchair. With tentative steps that grow in confidence each time, she navigates her way to the chair and attempts the climb. Her...

This article is the second in series on mindfulness and how children can be taught to reap the benefits of this ancient practice (please see the previous article here) In short, mindfulness is defined as a state of mind that engages us more fully in the present moment then we typically spend our days. This...

Welcoming a new baby into your family can be an exciting, joyous time. This new little bundle might be tiny, but brings some HUGE changes to the family unit. Older siblings may respond in a number of ways to this new addition - some might fall seamlessly into the role of the helpful and loving...

The Difficulties of Discipline: Most parents struggle with disciplining their children because of the conflict they face when their children do not listen or misbehave. Parents want to support and help their child to make the right choices, but often feel they are in the role of the "bad guy" when 'good choices' are not...

Sun tan lotion - check! Beach chair - check! Latest issue of People magazine - check! Fun activities that will build your child's focus and self-control - huh?!? Is that last item not on your summer fun checklist? Well, keep reading and you will, indeed, be prepared with easy to implement activities at the beach...