John's Articles
We Shouldn't Always Shield Our Children From Pain
Posted on 6/6/2023
The depraved excepted, parents do not enjoy making children unhappy. Nevertheless, sometimes it is in a child's best interest that parents - while not deliberately trying to induce unhappiness -...
Read MoreHow To Help Your Child Get More Grit
Posted on 9/7/2021
It’s all over the web, that “grit” thing. Seems like every day, I get some promo for a webinar on how to get more grit, project more grit, or get in touch with your inner grit. So, allow me to...
Read MoreFour Things Parents Should Tell Their Kids
Posted on 10/5/2017
In my latest book, Grandma Was Right After All!, I take the top 25 parenting sayings of my youth and explain what they really meant. I do so because they’ve been distorted and demonized by the...
Read MoreRaising a Can-Do Kid
Posted on 3/2/2016
Can-do kids are make-do kids. They usually have several traits that distinguish them from dependent, underconfident children: <b>1. Resourcefulness</b> Today, resourcefulness may mean turning...
Read MorePuberty and Teenage Girls
Posted on 11/17/2015
Copyright 2015, John K. Rosemond A recent caller to my syndicated radio show (Saturdays, 6 pm EST, American Family Radio) objected to advice I dispensed concerning a teenage girl...
Read More5 Tips for Teaching Your Child Humility
Posted on 10/6/2015
A mother who attended a recent presentation during which I described the differences between high self-esteem and humility writes asking “What should my husband and I be doing to help our children...
Read More8-year-old Manipulates, Whines
Posted on 6/16/2015
Living with Children John Rosemond Copyright 2015, John K. Rosemond Q: Our 8-year-old daughter tries to manipulate us and her siblings (she is the youngest of three) with emotional...
Read MoreMisplacing a Sense of Purpose
Posted on 12/9/2014
Q: My buddy’s wife walks their 11-year-old into the classroom each day. Then she takes out his assignments and helps him get ready. We’re talking about a very capable kid who has no...
Read MoreNewly Academic Nature of Most Preschools
Posted on 11/25/2014
Courtesy of my friend and parent coach Janet Carter (www.ourchildishways.com), comes an interesting story: The parents of a 4-year-old girl went to a preschool parent conference to...
Read MoreImpulse Control: A Hallmark of Life
Posted on 8/5/2014
A mom recently asked me what I would say to my son if he was twelve years old and wanted a Mohawk haircut for the summer. I told her I’d say no. “But is it really that...
Read MoreDon't laugh!
Posted on 3/25/2014
Q: Our 4-year-old daughter has a huge problem with being laughed at. She loves to be goofy and do funny things but as soon as someone, including one of us, laughs at her she becomes upset. She...
Read MoreShould I Let My 17-Year-Old Son Go on 'Senior Beach Week'?
Posted on 3/12/2013
<b>Q: In our city, most of the high school seniors participate in “Senior Beach Week” during spring break. They rent beach houses and condos and party like there’s no tomorrow. Alcohol, marijuana...
Read MoreThink Like Me
Posted on 2/19/2013
Someone recently told me she wanted her children to "think for themselves." Not me, I said. If I was still in my active parenting years, I would most definitely want my children to think...
Read MoreNine year old Refuses to go to her room
Posted on 1/15/2013
Q: What should I do when my 9-year-old daughter loses all of her privileges because of her misbehavior but refuses to go to her room? I tried to physically force her, but she put up too much of a...
Read MoreGive Children What They Need and Little of What They Want
Posted on 11/22/2011
Respect children; don't idolize them A young mother who identified herself as a practitioner of "attachment parenting" recently told me that "children should be approached with reverence." I...
Read MoreTrain Children to Behave in Public
Posted on 9/15/2009
RESPECT YOUR FELLOW DINERS - TEACH CHILDREN TABLE MANNERS "I feel a column coming on, " my wife said, doing her usual read-my-mind thing. It was another superb nine o'clock in the morning in...
Read MoreModesty With Teen Girls
Posted on 1/1/2008
Scene: The 2008 RALPH Awards, held at a highly secret location somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere. On stage, at the brightly-lit podium, bathed in a glow befitting of their celebrity, stand two...
Read MoreBeing A Content Parent
Posted on 1/1/2008
Today's parents believe in psychology, a predominant paradigm of which is behavior modification; therefore, today's parents tend to believe that behavior, any behavior, can be modified by properly...
Read More5-Year-Old Boy Being Cruel To Friend
Posted on 11/13/2007
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CRUELTY TO A FRIEND Q. My 5-year-old son plays with two other 5-year-olds. When he plays with just one of them, all goes well. Every time the three get together, he gangs...
Read More3-Year-Old Boy Having A Hard Time Saying I'm Sorry
Posted on 7/24/2007
Q: My 3-year-old has a terrible time apologizing for wrongdoing. We generally send him to his room and require him to apologize after he calms down. He will say he's sorry, but he doesn't want us...
Read MoreIt's Never Too Late to Teach the Three R's
Posted on 3/17/2006
In order for a child to become successful at the three R's of reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic, their parents must first teach them the three R's of respect, responsibility, and...
Read MoreTeach Boys Courtesy Toward Girls
Posted on 10/18/2005
TEACH BOYS COURTESY TOWARD GIRLS Q: I am the mother of three boys. My husband's sister has two boys and one girl. This girl is treated as a princess! She sits at the "adult table" for...
Read MorePaying Children for Chores and Treating Adults with Respect
Posted on 7/19/2005
QUESTION'S RIDICULOUS, BUT I'LL ANSWER IT ANYWAY I LIKE CHILDREN - WHEN THEY BEHAVE AND TREAT ADULTS WITH RESPECT Most Ridiculous Item of the Week: Someone recently asked me if I like...
Read MoreNo One is Special: Do Somthing Special for Somone Instead
Posted on 9/28/1999
KIDS AREN'T SPECIAL, BUT ACTIONS ARE I was at an Alabama elementary school when I saw a banner above a mirror on which was printed, in 10-inch letters, "You are now looking at one of the most...
Read MoreBest Way for Parents to Teach Morality is to be Examples of Moral Living Yourselves
Posted on 11/17/1998
PART OF PARENTS' JOB IS TEACHING KIDS TO CHOOSE RIGHT Q. What's the best way for parents to teach morality? We want our 3-year-old to behave properly, but we also want him to understand the...
Read More5-Year-Old Girl Stealing and Being Manipulative
Posted on 12/29/1985
5YO STEALING MANIPULATIVE KIDS TOO YOUNG TO BE MANIPULATORS Of all the myths associated with children and their upbringing, one of the most prevalent and damaging is "The Myth of the...
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