Posted on June 25, 2008 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
There is much debate about the disciplining of children. Here are two readers expressing contrary views. What do you think? How does it work (or not work) in your family? I welcome your responses:
“I have four kids and if one of them gets out of line I will spank their bottoms. Kids nowadays get away [...]
Filed under: Abuse, Authentic love, Child neglect, Children, Dads, Difficult Relationships, Disrespect, Victims | Tagged: Children, discipline, spanking | 2 Comments »
Posted on August 22, 2007 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
A note to parents…
Despite your best efforts at providing an encouraging and challenging environment for your children, your children will ultimately determine the degree of their success or failure as adults. Avoid the tendency to blame yourself for every problem your child faces: you are just not that powerful! Popular press will try to place [...]
Filed under: Adolescence, Authentic love, Child neglect, Children, Parenting/Children | 3 Comments »
Posted on March 21, 2007 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
Reader writes: I have been married for about six months and have a daughter of four months. My husband and I argue all of the time, about everything. I am really depressed. I don’t think he loves me. I never wanted to get divorced, and I can’t imagine putting my child through a divorce, but [...]
Filed under: Authentic love, Child neglect, Children, Divorce | 2 Comments »
Posted on March 12, 2007 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
My girlfriend’s children are rude and get whatever they want from her. They are thankless and demanding. This is a woman I love and I am trying hard to help her with being a single mom. I was raised with strong discipline and my dad was never afraid to give us a good hiding. I [...]
Filed under: Blended families, Boundaries, Child neglect, Children, Coaching, Community, Dads, Differentiation, Disrespect, Growing up, Happiness | Tagged: , Children, discipline, Re-marriage, step | 8 Comments »
Posted on February 2, 2007 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
“My partner and I live in a home we bought together in July 05, with her little girl of 9 at the time. A year later her 13 year old son, now 14 who has been living with his father for the last five years, asked if he could move in with us because he [...]
Filed under: Adolescence, Anger, Authentic love, Blended families, Boundaries, Child neglect, Children, Communication, Community, Differentiation, Growing up, Happiness, High maintenance relationships, Parenting/Children, Reactivity | 8 Comments »
Posted on January 26, 2007 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
My teenager —
1. …appears more invested building peer rather than parent relationships. I expect this. Healthy interdependence will not occur if separations are not practiced within primary relationships.
2. … faces change, opportunities, and forms of seduction I never faced. I expect some relational turbulence, questioning of values as my child finds appropriate footing in the adult [...]
Filed under: Adolescence, Authentic love, Blended families, Boundaries, Child neglect, Children, Communication, Community, Education, Happiness, Parenting/Children, Step parenting, Teenagers, Toxic Relationships, Voice | 1 Comment »
Posted on January 4, 2007 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
When parents (married or single) are fulfilled, pursuing careers and interests they love, and are offering meaningful service to their community, it makes a remarkable difference to their children. Under these (admittedly) ideal conditions, childhood can be fully childhood. It can be carefree, safe, and free of the anxieties that come rushing into a child [...]
Filed under: Abuse, Authentic love, Child neglect, Children, Differentiation | 1 Comment »
Posted on August 13, 2006 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
Reader: My husband says I laugh at the “wrong” things my son (4) does. He says that “cute” and “charming,” when my boy wants his own way, in our young son (4) will come back to bite us. This is a point of regular, often playful, discussion between us. What do you think?
Rod’s Response: [...]
Filed under: Adolescence, Child neglect, Children, Dads, Education, Family, Manipulation, Parenting/Children, Relationships | 1 Comment »
Posted on May 31, 2006 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
Children will, at various times, blame both parents for a family’s breakup, no matter who is to blame. Don’t try to get your children to be on your side even if your wife was wrong on every count and you, in your perfection, sprouted angel wings. Two people marry and both contribute to the need [...]
Filed under: Abuse, Child neglect, Dads, Divorce, High maintenance relationships, Home, Love, Manipulation, Marriage, Personal growth, Relationships, Victims | 1 Comment »
Posted on May 17, 2006 by Rod E. Smith, MSMFT
My heart goes out to children who have everything. I know the son of a friend whose name I will say is Christopher. He is twelve and he has everything. At least his parents think he does. The slightest suggestion of Christopher being bored, lonely or short-tempered, they take him shopping. His very loving parents [...]
Filed under: Adolescence, Child neglect, Children, Family, Personal growth | 5 Comments »
