Close to having that brand new baby? Has everyone in the family started giving you ideas for naming your little bundle of joy? What, like you haven’t thought of this before now and it’s a big surprise that you need to decide on a name? Long ago, I stopped asking “why” people do the things they do. Listen up. Just because they’re family, they may think they have a right to help you name your baby. They don’t. Your child will be living with that name for decades to come along with the blessings and curse it brings with it. No one has to live with that name but your child. If you want to honor a beloved family member or friend with a middle name that reflects your feelings, do so. It’s the case that your middle name is not on the marquee in lights. Very few people know your middle name, so if you feel that you have to buckle under to family pressure, know that your child can have two middle names. It may turn out to be a blessing, after all. Claudia Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch. At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send a question. Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing! Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Wonder why your child’s treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder isn’t working? Are they very angry and aggressive? Are they sad and sometimes, intensely hyperactive? They may have childhood-onset bipolar disorder or is it something else? It may be disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. These kids have rageful tantrums. They’re verbally and physically assaultive. They’re irritable and angry most of the day every day. What should you do? Get a complete psychological and educational assessment to determine if they have bipolar disorder or if they have a mood regulation problem. Both of these diagnoses have serious implications for a healthy adjustment to adulthood. If you don’t know what you’re treating, their life could run off the rails. Claudia Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch. At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send a question. Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing! Image by e2grafikwerkstatt from Pixabay
Do you let your child sleep over at a friend’s or go to slumber parties? Ask yourself these important questions.
Instead of not letting them go altogether, offer to let them stay until midnight. If they take social flack for your decision, consider having a breakfast bash, a “sleep under” or a late night at your house. Kids come dressed in their jammies and bring their favorite junk food, video games or movies. Maybe you host a spa night, an action movie night, a fashion night. We want these events to be fun, not opportunities for them to have life altering and traumatic experiences. Claudia Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch. At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send a question! Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing! Image by Sergey Nemo from Pixabay
We’re so involved in the “care and feeding” of our kids that we don’t stop to think about the “prepositions” of raising children. We begin by taking care of them and doing many things for them such as bathing, feeding and clothing. We take them to the doctor and dentist. As they start to develop their language skills, cognitive ability and awareness, it’s time to move away from the “to do” list. Focus time and energy being with them and having a relationship. It’s critical to spend time with them just being together without an agenda of chores to accomplish. If they’re in elementary school, let them stay home. Have a pajama day where you hang out, make pudding for breakfast and watch fun movies and shows. When they move into middle and high school, they can’t miss a day and you’ll have to compete with friends, so make those elementary years count. You’ll have to be more creative as they get older, but work hard at spending time with them to develop trust. Claudia Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch. At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send a question! Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing! |
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