Have you ever marveled at how pilots manage to fly complex aircraft safely? The secret lies in a deceptively simple tool: checklists!

In the world of aviation, checklists are more than just a mundane list of tasks. They are a critical lifeline that pilots rely on to ensure they don’t miss any crucial steps and that all systems function flawlessly. By following a systematic order, checklists make the process logical and prevent any steps from slipping through the cracks or being incorrectly set. But here’s the exciting part: this methodical approach isn’t exclusive to flying airplanes—it’s a strategy we can seamlessly integrate into our daily lives, especially as parents.

Checklists for Parents: A Low-Cost, High-Reward Solution

Just like pilots, we parents have an intricate and vital job to perform. Our responsibilities range from managing household chores to nurturing our children’s growth and well-being. Amidst the chaos of parenting, we can...

Navigating the Silent Treatment: A Parent’s Guide

Parenting is a journey, one that is filled with unique challenges. One such challenge that we often encounter is dealing with the silent treatment from our children. This can be a frustrating situation, but it’s important to remember that it’s not about us, even if it feels personal. It’s about their emotions—they might be overwhelmed, frustrated, or misunderstood, possibly lacking the words to articulate their feelings.

A Simple Framework

Before we delve into the silent treatment specifically, let’s talk about a simple framework that can guide us in reacting to confounding behaviors in a helpful way. This framework is based on giving our children the benefit of the doubt and asking two questions:

1. What’s going on in the environment?
2. What skills does my child need to deal with the environment?

This framework won’t guarantee perfect solutions, but it will keep you in reasonably good...

As parents, we embark on a journey—a rollercoaster ride filled with love, laughter, and the occasional perplexity. Our goal? To forge meaningful connections with our children, to be their guiding stars in this vast universe.

Yet, there are moments when our efforts seem to yield minimal results, leaving us questioning our parenting prowess. We wonder, “Am I doing enough? Am I failing them somehow?” Fear not, my friends. Today, we address the elephant in the room—the legendary dad jokes (or mum jokes, if you prefer). Those quirky, eye-roll-inducing quips that somehow find their way into our conversations like mischievous elves.

The Absurd Magic of Dad Jokes

Let’s debunk a myth right away: Your dad joke repertoire isn’t the culprit behind any perceived communication gaps. In fact, I propose that dad jokes are the pinnacle of absurdist humor—a secret superpower, if you will. Picture this: You’re at the dinner table, and your...

• Recognize Your Emotions: Take a moment to identify your emotions and determine why you feel that way. Are you feeling angry, sad, scared, or frustrated? What caused your reaction? (What about the meltdown is making you feel this way?) How are your thoughts, behaviors, and body being affected by your emotions?
• Express Your Emotions: Find a healthy and appropriate way to...