Author: Thoughtful Parenting

Competent Children: Part 3

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Dr. Corinne Masur

Recently, Judith Shulevitz wrote in the New York Times that college campuses are now barring speakers who might “invalidate people’s experiences” or who might speak about the use of sexist or racist language. She described how “safe spaces” are being created at schools during such lectures where students can come to play with play doh or bubbles or listen to soothing music. She says, “safe spaces are an expression of the conviction, increasingly prevalent among college students, that their schools should keep them from being bombarded by discomfiting…viewpoints.” Continue reading →

Aggression and Young Children: A Father’s Struggle

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by Dr. Corinne Masur

Recently I read on a parenting blog that if children show aggression it’s because they are in discomfort.

Is this really so?

And while we’re at it, what do we mean when we speak of aggression in the toddler or the young child? Are we talking about anger? Tantrums? Hitting and biting? All of these? Or more?

And also importantly, what do we mean when we speak of aggression in a parent?

Defining our terms could be helpful before starting this discussion. Continue reading →

Writing from a Dad’s Perspective

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So many parenting websites are written by and for mothers. Here’s a roundup of our favorite blogs written by dads– they focus on arts and crafts, traveling, tech, work/family balance, and lots more. Did we leave out one of your favorites? Tell us what sites we’re missing in the comments!

Ishq In A Backpack

Designer Daddy

Fathers, Work, and Family

The Busy Dad Blog

Building A Library: Finding The Right Books For Your Kid

Cry It Out * Mike Adamick

What Does A Two Year Old Need?

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Dr. Corinne Masur

In a recent Dear Prudence column, a mother asked if she needed to move her 2 year old from the day care the child was currently attending. It was a daycare the mother had chosen – a small in-home day care with a loving director and two warm assistants, where the children played all day with the exception of some organized story time and song time. The mother’s mother-in-law was insisting that the child was not getting enough academic stimulation.

Well, what DOES a two year old need? Does a toddler need academic stimulation? And for that matter, does a toddler need socialization with other children? Continue reading →

Tips for Parents of Picky Eaters

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Dr. Corinne Masur

Just now I heard Katie Workman talking on the radio about picky eaters. What a great subject! Some of her advice and mine:

1. Eat with your children. As soon as they start eating solid food, pull the high chair up to the table and let your children eats meals with you. Let them see you eating and enjoying all sorts of food. When they are toddlers, give them little bits when they ask. Make sure they see you eat and enjoy a variety of vegetables, fruits, salads, etc. Continue reading →

New This Week: The Specifics on How Much Frustration to Allow Your Baby to Feel

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Dr. Corinne Masur

A reader of this blog suggested to me that it would be helpful for parents of young children if we were more specific – particularly about such things as when to help our children and when to wait and see whether they are capable of doing certain things themselves. In the spirit of specifics, we present:
A Guide to Raising Competent and Confident Children by Allowing Them to Experience Frustration Continue reading →