Janis B. Meredith's Blog: JBM Thinks Sportsparenting

After working with parents for many years, I’ve observed that one of the pitfalls parents fall into is over-parenting. Call it helicopter parenting, lawnmower parenting, or even over-involved–the bottom line is that those parents feel a need to step in and maintain some sort of control. Not me! You may say. But let’s take a...

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What that child needs is a good scolding! How often have you thought or said that? Scolding children is a well-used parenting strategy, but unfortunately, it is not usually the most effective way to shape your child’s character and prepare them for adulthood. The word “scold” means to remonstrate with or rebuke (someone) angrily. Parents...

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There’s a lot of scary going around this time of year. From horror movies to haunted houses to ghost-like trick-or-treaters. Of course, as adults, we take it all in fun, but what about your kids? How scary is too scary for them? The answer to that question varies from family to family and from child...

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For many parents, youth sports is both a blessing and a curse. We love the fact that physical activity is good for our kids’ physical and emotional development, but attending every game can be a challenge for busy parents. As a sports mom for 21 years, I can remember the weekends lost to volleyball, softball...

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Your kids will hurt or offend you on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it’s one of the crosses that parents must bare. Occasionally, they may intend to hurt you, but much of the time it is unintentional and you as a parent may wonder, “What’s the best way for me to respond?” What are some behaviors...

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Just because your child has low grades does not mean they are an underachiever. Rather, it is a child who gives a noticeably poor effort that results in grades lower than you know they are capable of. Regardless of the reason, your child probably does not feel good about under-achieving, so it is important to...

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Chores are just a reality of life. They make the home function smoothly, and some are pretty basic life skills that teach kids how to work. If you are tempted to do too much for your kids, you are not properly preparing them for adulthood. But kids who are taught to do chores consistently will...

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Parents are usually all about instilling healthy habits into their kids, but wait a minute! What about YOU, Mom and Dad? As you work to teach your kids good lifestyle habits, don’t neglect your own physical, mental, and spiritual health. Perhaps you’ve never stopped to think about it and trying to figure out what those...

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Would you say your parenting leans toward the plus or the minus? Parents that lean towards the plus side often deal with their challenges by adding more to their plate. They want tips to help them control their own anger, suggestions for discipline tactics, and ideas for running a smooth home. They think that the...

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Have you ever cringed when you heard a screaming child in the grocery store or restaurant? Can’t they control their child? Or worse, has your child been the one screaming in public and you are caught between embarrassment and extreme frustration? Maybe your child decided that screaming at home or in the car would get...

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