Posted on 2/28/2018
Thirty-something years ago in this column, I offered a free (expenses-only) speaking engagement to any community that would abolish all adult-organized-and-run children’s sports programs...
Read MorePosted on 4/6/2017
Not long ago, speaking to a large midwestern audience, I asked, "How many of you, when you were children, had a hobby?" Nearly everyone raised a hand. I then asked them to keep their hands in the...
Read MorePosted on 3/27/2017
It has been 78 years since the first Little League baseball game was played in Williamsport, Pa. Last year, nearly 3 million kids participated in more than 6,500 chartered Little League programs...
Read MorePosted on 3/15/2016
Q: Is three hours of one sport once a week too much for a 7-year-old? This sport meets from 6 - 9 PM. It is nearly 10 PM before child is in bed (as opposed to usual 8:30 bedtime). My husband...
Read MorePosted on 5/5/2015
Copyright 2015, John K. Rosemond A major US newspaper recently ran a piece detailing all the ways children benefit from doing chores. Well, not all the ways. They failed to mention...
Read MorePosted on 10/6/2013
Kicking the child out of the Garden of Eden John's "Garden of Eden" statement: Other Q and A or articles about this method may be searched by using the keyword "Garden" Below is detailed...
Read MorePosted on 12/6/2011
Teen backs out on sports role Q: Our 16-year-old daughter has said three times over the past two years that she wants to play on the traveling soccer team. The coaches have actually asked her...
Read MorePosted on 1/4/2011
15 resolutions for parents Given that this is the first column of a new year, I'm proposing a number of parenting New Year's Resolutions for my readers to consider. The list is by no means...
Read MorePosted on 11/23/2010
Should kids stick with hated piano lessons? Through my website, a parent recently asked if children who don't want to continue piano lessons should be forced to stay the course regardless. I...
Read MorePosted on 8/31/2010
What today's kids are missing What do today's children seriously lack that children in the 1950s and before enjoyed in abundance? To assist the reader in figuring out the answer before it is...
Read MorePosted 3 weeks ago
My son is a great student and a talented athlete. He is in 8th grade and during middle school I made him play soccer, take band, run track and just this past year he decided (on his own!!) to try...
Read MorePosted on 4/17/2018
I'm trying to put a slow down on the extracurricular activities by asking them to choose one or two. How much input should they be allowed in deciding which ones? For example, I think they need...
Read MorePosted on 2/28/2018
My 9yo son has broken household items in fits of anger over the years. Most recently a kitchen chair that he threw and a window that he punched. We have kicked him out of the garden and he has...
Read MorePosted on 12/10/2017
My daughter is 4.5 years old and has been taking dance lessons for about 3 months (once a week for an hour). So far, she's loved it and always looks forward to the next class. She has never said...
Read MorePosted on 10/1/2017
My son has just turned 18 and is a senior in high school. He had his first job this summer doing construction work with some people we know. He did well getting up early and they said that he...
Read MorePosted on 8/23/2017
I am having trouble balancing my 6 year old's responsibilities at home. She started school this year (prep) - the year before grade 1. She's at school from 8:30am - 3pm. By the time we arrive...
Read MorePosted on 7/29/2017
We want to start preparing for the school year and get a game plan for our family. Couple of questions...what are your thoughts about extra curricular activities? We have fought the battle of...
Read MorePosted on 7/29/2017
What is an appropriate afterschool game plan for a 1st grader and 3rd grader? Can you give me some advice on how to handle homework, chores, and bedtime for this age? What type of expectations...
Read MorePosted on 5/22/2017
For the last seven years, I have been in the mode of entertaining my kids. I have spent my time creating activities, planning playdates and going to events. I enjoyed it and I thought I was...
Read MorePosted on 5/17/2017
Hello! Our son is obsessed! Obsessed with one thing at a time to the point of not completing school work to do it. Right now it's Pokemon. He has a screen time limit - one 30 min show after...
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