Some children seem to have the knack of making friends easily, while others struggle. If your child is one who has a hard time making friends, there are 4 things you can encourage them to do. First, smile so people will know you're friendly. Second, compliment your new friend so they know you like them. Third, ask questions to get to know your friend better. Fourth, invite your friend to our house to play. ...

It's tough to stay in touch with your kids when you spend most of your time at work… and they spend most of their time in the classroom. One family handles it this way: When the kids get home from school, the first thing they do—even before they head to the refrigerator—is call their father. It's not just a once-in-a-while thing. Dad puts it on his calendar… and sets that time aside every day, so he'll be free...

It's the sound of a whining child! Parents will do almost anything to make it stop. But yelling or responding harshly to a whining child is one of the worst things you can do. Instead, try this. First, ignore it. If you do, your child will learn that whining doesn't work. Second, when your child begins to whine, simply leave the room. Third, remove the cause of the whining. Fourth, name it…say something...

The best way for your child to learn to be a good decision-maker, is to involve them in your everyday decisions. For example, if you are in the market for another car, ask your child to research it with you on the Internet, go with you to the car dealer to look at cars, discuss with you the options…new or used, lease or purchase, low or high mileage. Sure, you'll ultimately decide, but bringing them into the...

Our kids are constantly evaluated on their abilities at school, in sports, in the arts and even at home. But what about you? What grade would your kids give you as a parent? Well, here's a way to make an A every time. Remember the 6 A's of parenting. First is Affirmation. When your children are sharing their feelings or opinions, they want you to listen to them, identify with them and affirm them. Second is...

By the time boys are 4 to 6 years old, they often feel the need for a masculine role model. And that need doesn't change as boys grow older. If your son's father is not in the picture, another adult male you trust needs to be involved in his life. You might find a man to mentor your son through a mentoring program. Or, you might have some male relatives, friends, or neighbors who would be good role models for...