Children learn the meaning of our words by connecting them to our actions. When our words and actions don’t match, children learn to believe our actions and discount our words.
Imagine that you’re getting the family ready … Read more
Have you ever noticed how quickly a child can become “the problem”?
Maybe one child is slow getting ready for school. Another leaves things everywhere. One argues. One forgets. One seems to push exactly the button that … Read more
A man was guiding several youngsters through the exhibits in a museum. He was obviously impatient with their side trips and slow pace. Finally, he blurted out, “Hurry up! If you stop to look at stuff, we … Read more
Latter-day Saints often say that the purposes of mortal life are to receive a body and to be tested. For anyone who suffers from test anxiety, that is not good news.
Certainly, mortality includes testing. But I … Read more
One area of parenting is especially relevant to soft-spoken parenting: responding to children’s strong emotions. Haim Ginott and John Gottman were experts at showing parents how to help their children transform their strong emotions into growth and … Read more
Anger often feels irresistible. A child breaks a glass or hits a sibling, and we erupt. Can that automatic reaction be interrupted? Can volcanic anger be replaced by calm helpfulness? In the moment, changing course can seem … Read more
Soft-Spoken Parenting
Our culture often models anger as if it were righteous indignation. But the Lord and His servants consistently condemn anger. It is the enemy of righteousness, holiness, godliness. Consider carefully a few words of counsel … Read more
Soft-Spoken Parenting #2:
While the field of psychology has recently taken a strong stand against anger, God has always been against it. The Savior taught, “Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in … Read more
We all get angry. Sometimes our anger is nothing more than simmering irritation. We chafe. Other times it is fire in our soul. Our ears burn and every cell tenses. Yet even as we ready for the … Read more
Dear and wise friends were struggling with their 4-year-old son who liked to scandalize his older sisters by occasionally spouting the word “poopy.” This was an especially big problem since the girls were so earnest about doing … Read more