Growing Up
March 30, 2009 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Communication, Emotional Development, Parenting Teenagers, Problem Solving
Question: I have a son who is in 6th grade. Throughout all his elementary years, we were always so very close. If there was a function at school he wanted me to volunteer. If there was a class trip, he would hope that I would be the chaperone. If he didn’t have a friend over [...]
Depressed Child
February 5, 2009 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Controversial Parenting Styles, Emotional Development
Could my grandson be clinically depressed, even at 10yrs old? Question: I’m raising my 10yr old grandson. I’ve had him since he is 6mos old, due to his mother having uncontrolled Bipolar Disorder. It is very hard for him living apart from his mother, with whom he has had a scattered relationship throughout the years. [...]
Disconnected from 12-year-old-daughter
February 2, 2009 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Communication, Emotional Development, Parenting Teenagers
Question: For some reason, I feel like I have a chronic “dis-connect” from my eldest daughter, 12. I worry I’m failing her as a parent and really need help and advice. I know that we have a pattern of my asking her to do something, her not listening, then I get frustrated and bark orders [...]
Children and Volunteerism: Making the World a Better Place
December 11, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Controversial Parenting Styles, Emotional Development, Values & Ethics
Do you ever feel that the hectic holiday rushing takes the meaning and spirit out of these special times? Below, John Rosemond, author of Parenting by the Book offers some useful ideas to incorporate principles and morals into the holiday season: When President John F. Kennedy, in 1961, said “ask not what this country can [...]
Kicking the Toy Addiction
November 6, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Controversial Parenting Styles, Emotional Development, Values & Ethics
Signs of the annual December gift-buying-frenzy are suddenly sprouting around me like mushrooms after a rainstorm, via catalogs, store displays, emails, and children’s discussions of what they want to receive this winter. Do your children look forward to the thrill of a new toy or gadget, only to leave it on a shelf collecting dust [...]
What is your child REALLY doing online?
October 7, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Communication, Controversial Parenting Styles, Emotional Development, Problem Solving
by: Elisabeth Wilkins, author of EmpoweringParents.com Amber* got onto Myspace when she was 13. “It was easy,” she said with a shrug. “All you have to do is lie about your age and give them your email address.” The teen, who is now 15, said, “I guess I accepted a lot of ‘Friends’ to my [...]
ADHD and Young Children: Unlocking the Secrets to Good Behavior
September 17, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Communication, Controversial Parenting Styles, Emotional Development, Problem Solving
By: Dr. Robert Myers For the parents of a child with ADHD, everyday tasks turn into battles—from getting the child out the door in the morning to getting him to bed at night. My son was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6, so I remember what it was like to have a daily tug of [...]
How to Give Kids Consequences That Work
September 15, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Disciplining Children, Emotional Development
by: James Lehman, MSW A consequence is something that follows naturally from a person’s action, inaction or poor decision. It differs from a punishment in that a punishment is retribution. Punishment is “getting back” at someone, to hurt them back for a hurt they did. When you get a speeding ticket, it’s not a retribution [...]
Musings on “Life Is Not Fair” & Sarah Palin
September 4, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Communication, Controversial Parenting Styles, Disciplining Children, Emotional Development, Values & Ethics
Politics aside, as I learn more about Sarah Palin, John McCain’s vice presidential running mate, some deep parenting questions surface within my heart. Governor Palin is a mother of five children. Trig, the four-month-old baby has been diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. At seventeen years of age, Bristol, her eldest daughter, is expecting a baby this [...]
“I’m Bored”
July 29, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Controversial Parenting Styles, Emotional Development, Problem Solving
You have just settled yourself in front of the computer to read an interesting article (perhaps one of mine!) and then you hear the two words which grate on your nerves: “I’m bored!” It is understandable that you feel frustrated. Aside from being interrupted, the reason for the interruption is irritating- why can’t she find [...]
There’s No Such Thing as a Small Soul!
July 15, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Controversial Parenting Styles, Emotional Development, Problem Solving, Words of Inspiration!
The title of this article may strike you as a contradiction to the name of this website, RaisingSmallSouls.com. Obviously, you’d be absolutely correct to take note of the inconsistency. And that is what brings us to today’s topic: There are very few absolutes in the realm of childrearing. Children are capable of great things- does [...]
Mood Numbers
July 10, 2008 by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Communication, Emotional Development, Self Esteem
What Mood Number Are You In? Here’s how “mood-numbers” got started: The plumber called earlier to say that he’d be here six hours ago, he hasn’t shown up, and the main bathroom and laundry facilities are still out of order. I am annoyed and frustrated. (To put it mildly.) My son brings chips into a [...]
