The Oldest Child Is Smarter…So Says the Research

For nearly a century, child development experts have pondered just how much parents matter in how their kids turn out. Fresh new research hit the AP wires and the “nature vs. nurture” debate may finally be put to rest. And the findings are profound: Firstborn sons have higher IQs than their younger brothers because of [...]

The Benefits of Negative Thinking

Kirk Wilkinson www.thehappinessfactor.com No doubt you have heard how dangerous negative thinking is. Negative thinking has been blamed for all kinds of illnesses, like depression, anxiety, cancer and diabetes. Bad thoughts are also responsible for many ruined relationships and cases of drug abuse. But if negative thinking is so bad, why do we all practice [...]

Pull the Plug on Material Access with your Kids

A few Teen Commandments about what we should provide for our kids: “Take me shopping.” “Thou shall give me what I want.” “Thou shalt spoil me rotten.” “Thou shalt leave everything to your kids when you die.” “Thou shalt shower thy youth in riches.” These are the same teens who wisely ask parents to set [...]

Helping Children Manage Homework Frustrations

With the creation of routines and the development of healthy work habits, children can get homework done in a timely manner, and with less frustration. Homework time can often be very stressful for children and their parents. Children can feel overwhelmed due to the amount of homework assigned, they may have a lack of understanding [...]

Extra-Curricular Activities Can Pose Extra-Stress on Families

When I was a coach for an extra-curricular activity, trying to plan practices, I was surprised how many children had commitments almost every day of the week! I could understand parents not wanting children who were couch potatoes with withered brain cells, but saw the stress it caused for both the parents and children. Most [...]