Teaching Manners, Ages 3 to 6
When it comes to manners, what can I reasonably expect of my child? Inconsistency, for one thing. A 4-year-old is capable of being amazingly polite one day and spitting his milk at you the next just to see what will happen. But even very young childre…
Learn MoreStuttering, Ages 6 to 12
How can I tell if my child has a stuttering problem?Everybody has trouble speaking from time to time. We’ve all filled sentences with “um” or “uh” or stumbled through a nerve-wracking speech. But when a child has a stuttering problem, words can be a d…
Learn MoreLying, Ages 1 to 3
Why does my toddler fib? Until she’s 3 or 4, your child won’t be able to reliably distinguish between reality and fantasy. That makes it impossible for her to grasp the concepts of lying and telling the truth. What seem like fibs are really the result…
Learn MoreLying, Ages 12 to 16
Parents usually manage to remain calm during the years when children’s lying takes the form of fantastical stories or denials of having raided the cookie jar. But an older child who skimps on the truth sets off parents’ alarm bells — and rightly so. …
Learn MoreHow to Talk to Your Child About Sex, Ages 3 to 6
How early do children have sexual feelings? Almost from the very beginning, children are exploring their bodies. But before that idea makes you anxious, remember that at this point your child’s curiosity is less about sex as you think of it and more a…
Learn MoreViolence: How it Affects Children
Spurred on by family instability, violent crime now touches millions of young lives. The control of crime in the streets, in the schools, and in the home ought to be the preeminent ‘children’s issue.’–Karl Zinsmeister, “Growing up Scared,” Atlantic M…
Learn MoreAggression, Ages 6 to 12
My child hits, kicks, and lashes out at other kids. Should I be concerned?Yes. Most children outgrow this kind of behavior by the time they enter grade school, because they’ve developed the language skills to express themselves in words and been socia…
Learn MoreAnxious Child, Ages 1 to 3
Anxiety is a normal part of your child’s behavioral and emotional development. Toddlers often get uneasy when separated from their parents or introduced to strangers. Fears of the dark, the toilet, animals, and loud noises (such as fireworks or thunde…
Learn MoreHow to Talk to Your Child About Sex, Ages 6 to 12
How do I handle the birds-and-bees speech responsibly? Give up on the idea of presenting the subject in one big talk — you’ll overwhelm your child with more bewildering and even distasteful information than she can process at once. Instead, think of …
Learn MoreHow to Talk to Your Child About Sex, Ages 12 to 16
What’s the best way to initiate a conversation about sex with my child? First of all, give up on the idea that it’s going to happen the way you plan it — fruitful conversations with adolescents rarely take place when and how their parents want them t…
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