Dear Nanny:  I can’t believe I am writing this, but I think I am ready to start dating!  Several kids and a lot of years later, what do I need to know? Congratulations! You don’t say whether you are a mom or a dad, but the recommendations will be the same. As a responsible parent, the bottom line rule...

I hear other moms talk about teaching their children about personal safety. What all does that include? My kids are under ten years old. What a great thing to be thinking and talking about! Here are some thoughts you might want to consider: We all have a personal space (“bubble”) around us. This bubble...

The Holidays are coming, and I have little time, energy, or money.  My kids want too much ‘stuff’, and this year everyone is sick. How can I make this an enjoyable season for my family? No doubt, these are challenging times, on many levels. This is when I remind myself about impermanence: everything...

I am dreading the start of school because it means non-stop arguments with my son to do his homework. I am desperate and will do whatever you say to stop the power struggles. Homework. The worst part of school for many kids…and parents! Since everything parents do (or don’t) say and do is role-modeling...

I am deathly afraid of the water and never learned to swim. I don’t want my kids to grow up the same way but I am also terrified for them to be near water. Please help! What a wonderful thing to be thinking about as summer approaches! You are not alone in your dilemma. Congratulations for not wanting to...

I know you have written about time-outs, but I feel confused! I hear so many different ways to do time-outs… What is the right way? Because time-outs can be an integral part to any discipline program, I think it is beneficial to re-visit this periodically. As with most parenting strategies, there is no...