As some of you may have already read in the winter issue of Together Family, gender differences can be a challenge to many young parents. Parenting boys and girls differently can be damaging and yet most parents still do it, often without realizing it or understanding the consequences. Rather than considering what’s right for each [...]
My three-year-old son is afraid of another child at his daycare centre. What should I do? The first step is to acknowledge his feelings. “It may be real or imagined, but nonetheless the child feels it,” says Alice Taylor, a children’s behavioural consultant in North Rustico, P.E.I. Reassure your child that you and the [...]
I recently interviewed six moms for a Together Family Magazine article that was all about selecting childcare. I asked each mom about the various methods of childcare they had used, and what they liked/disliked about the methods they had tried. Each of the moms I spoke with had so much insight about childcare that I [...]
Rushing your child into potty training can be a huge mistake. Children can develop a serious distaste for the process and forcing them to pee on the pot before they’re ready will usually delay the process and be incredibly frustrating for both parent and child. Here are some clues that your child might be ready [...]
“My kids have asked for a dog for Christmas. What should I know?” Kids who help nurture, protect and feed an animal learn empathy and often have better self-esteem, and a pet can be a source of joy for the whole family. To ensure that an animal is a good fit for your home, however, [...]
“I think most parents already understand the risks involved with too much TV watching and video game playing – lack of exercise and not enough brain stimulation.” While the former may be true, kids don’t get enough exercise when they sit in front of the TV all day, the latter might not be so cut [...]
My six-year-old son still wets his bed. Should I be worried?? “Generally speaking, the answer to the question is ‘don’t worry,’” says Dr. Mark Feldman, director of community paediatrics at the University of Toronto and chair of the community paediatrics committee of the Canadian Paediatric Society. If your child has never had six consecutive months [...]
My daughter doesn’t seem to have made any friends at her daycare. How can I find out if there are any behaviours that are affecting her socially? Discuss your concerns with your daughter’s daycare supervisor. Ask him or her if s/he observes any social behaviour that makes it difficult for your child in the classroom. [...]
