You as parents, can take a negative situation and turn it around as an opportunity to boost your child’s self-esteem. Here is an example how: In 2^nd grade, I remember coming home, upset that my drawing, made at school, was so bad compared to others. My mom asked me why I thought so. I told her because the other kids at school had said. Mom then sat me down and showed me some of her “coffee table” books which were art books by Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci and how “special” some of the most well-known and famous pictures actually looked. She even took my picture and compared it to one of the paintings.

I remember her telling me that no two people see things the same way and that is what makes art, art. Art is to beheld within the eye of the beholder. If I thought my artwork was good, than it was to me and nobody else could say differently. My mom, at that time, was working as an artist and even had talked about famous artists and their work on parent’s day.

That day, she taught me a lot. Even if I couldn’t draw, I always felt more confident about my “creativity” which also made me more comfortable with choices and decisions in other areas of my life.

Babies and especially toddlers don’t always lay still for a diaper change, infact, some have an all out tantrum or wage a refusal war. To fight my son’s diaper changing challenge, I find clever ways to distract him.

Baby: Held or had something above him for distraction such as a music box with pull string, mirror, or pull toy.

Toddler: The best is by asking him where his nose, eyes, teeth, elbows, knees, ears...are located. Concentrating on his facial features, on mommy’s facial features, or even counting how many ears, fingers, noses we have, always stops him from squirming. While I’m changing him, he is learning all his body parts.

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Heard this one from a friend which I think is ingenious! Dealing with a teenage daughter that doesn’t really want to talk to you or it seems that your talks always turn into arguments? Make a pillowcase that has a large pocket on the back. Tell your daughter to write her thoughts or feelings down, randomly, or when there is ever anything she doesn’t want to say a loud and leave it in the pocket. Check the pocket often, reading what she wrote and write back to her. This also helps because it gives everyone some time to really think “well” as writing something down gives you more time to think about what you really want to say. This trick will really help the communication, especially during the teenage years.

Our children are not close to being teenagers yet. However, I like to think ahead.... Does anyone have some tips to share for communicating with their teenagers?

I tried using paper changing pads from different baby stores/brands, and even extra long ones from Germany, but they still were never long enough to cover those dirty changing tables in public restrooms. My trick, I started using old pillowcases as changing pads. These are easily stored in my diaper bag, are big enough, lightweight and easily thrown into the weekly wash. Also an extra way to Go Green!