Clik here to view.
Soaked at the Sink and a Belly Pillow
One evening my two year-old son seemed grouchy and irritable. From the time that we arrived home from school, nothing was quite right. He was unhappy with his snack, dinner was not what he wanted,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
100 Kisses
My teen was home from college for her first short visit and I wanted to connect with her in a close way. I knew she was in the process of learning to be independent, and I wanted to respect her freedom...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Roughhousing Helps My Daughter with Math
(C) Sigurd Decroos 2008 One day after a fun-filled Special Time it was time for me to sit down and balance the check book. My daughter decided to sit with me and do her math work. The first bit was new...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Facing Water Fears Through Play
My son had been going to swimming lessons for a few months. His first 2 months he improved markedly each week, trying new things and being comfortable in the water. He would allow his teachers to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Trading Places in the Family
Recently, my husband and I were on vacation with our three boys, and our oldest was seemingly always putting a damper on our fun adventures. The walk was too long. Someone was talking too loudly....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Confessions of a Parenting by Connection Nanny: Part I
On the one hand, I realize the important role a nanny plays in a child’s life; the effects of which–for better or for worse–will stay with the child for many years to come. On the other hand, as I have...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jack and the Rude Beanstalk
After a prolonged illness, my 6-year-old was full of feelings and energy. I could tell by the way he was quick to anger, quick to become indignant, and generally by what hard work it was to parent him!...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Playlistening Raspberries
After school, my 6-year-old was clearly off track and needing to offload some feelings. He had been at his little brother since he got in the car, and then on the way home, he started calling me...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Working Through Dangerous Fears with Laughter
Hey! Do you want to play, “You cross the street and then I come along and run you over?” So, my 4-year-old son and I were about to exit the gated park and walk to our car. I noticed he was a little bit...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Playful Response to Sharing
I want it! Give it to me! How long can we simply BE with our children, lighting the way to reconnection, without rushing to solve “the problem”? My daughter and her friend were playing well one day...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Shark Attack on my Child’s Feelings
I took my boys, 6 and 7, to the Museum of Natural History to see a 3D movies about marine dinosaurs. The youngest is especially sensitive to traumatic events in movies and games, so I had checked that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Unstoppable Learners
At the end of the last school year, our sons’ report cards surprised me and my husband. My older son, ending third grade, scored in the 99th percentile nationally in reading, having scored in average...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Helping Boys With Gun Play – The Power of Laughter
I remember my sweet four year old son was so shocked when he first learned about the existence of guns that he spent months exploring why guns existed, wondering why the government didn’t do anything...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Play Helps Dissolve Frustration
Before bed, my daughter and I had a fun Special Time together doing whatever she wanted. When the timer beeped (signaling the end of Special Time) she happily trotted off to her room to change into her...
View Article
