n Tallahassee Adults and Parents, nnnn It is not uncommon that people of all ages do not want to get in front of others. At one time, it was said that more people were afraid of public speaking than anything else. What many do not realize is the very thing that could help them feel more confident is holding them back. nnnn Thus the phrase “You have to be uncomfortable before you can be comfortable” perfectly describes the learning curve. Most things in life require an adjustment period or a learning curve before we can reach the goals we desire. nnnn If you want to get into better shape, you a ..read more

n Tallahassee Parents, nnnn Competition has changed quite a bit over the last few decades. Many sports present all players a trophy for participation regardless of their performance. Although we all like acknowledgment, these actions can take away the many benefits of organized competition. nnnn A confident person often stems from someone who has learned from their mistakes, put in a lot of hard work and sweat equity and has received success that can be measured in improved results in business, health or even relationships. nnnn Does this confidence come easily, usually not. Behind the curtain ..read more

n Tallahassee Parents, nnnn First, this article is about your child’s tantrums and meltdowns, not yours. Kids have them and all parents deal with them at some point. What do you do? How is the best way to handle these situations? nnnn First, understand that meltdowns/tantrums are caused by something and it is not always directly related to what is happening at that moment. For example, your child could have had a bad night sleeping and be fine until the afternoon sets in. They get overtired, cranky in the afternoon and won’t even go down for a nap. nnnn Here are some ideas to help you deal wit ..read more

n The winter season brings with it much more than holiday cheer and fun. Weeks and sometimes months of holiday shopping, traveling, food, and visiting family can create enough stress to exhaust the most festive of us. nnnn Children feel it too, especially when their routines are interrupted with an overload of events that are often out of their control. Changes in schedule, varying from good food choices can also impact behaviors and moods. nnnn Prioritize Sleeping and Eating: nnnn The amount of sleep recommended for children varies with age. Toddlers typically sleep 11 to 14 hours in a 24-hou ..read more

n Tallahassee Parents, nnnn The old saying “monkey see, monkey do” can be relative to how parents react to situations. Our reactions can easily be influencing our children without us even realizing it. Parents often feel their kids build new behaviors or habits from their siblings or other kids at school, however, we can be just as responsible. nnnn Parents, try to break these 4 habits… nnnn You see life as a 24/7 crisis, so freaking out is the most logical response. We know life is full of ups and downs. Most of the time there are always going to be little “hiccups” when going on big trips o ..read more

n Tallahassee Families, nnnn Wondering how to raise an optimistic child? After all, kids who are more confident and optimistic are better at dealing with life’s challenges—and happier too. nnnn Here’s six tips to help your child. nnnn QUIT COMPLAINING nnnn Don’t complain or be negative around your children. If you are complaining about money or making negative comments about life in front of your children, most likely they will pick-up the same habits. Be positive and bring good things in front of your children on a regular basis. nnnn HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS nnnn The benefit of having your kid ..read more

n Tallahassee Parents, nnnn It is not uncommon when you get a group of parents together several will say, ” My kids don’t listen to me.” As parents, we all go through this, however here are a few tips to help make things a little better. nnnn Your Child may have a good reason (in their mind) to resist doing what you ask them to do. nnnn Parents often get into battles with our children, focusing on the “what” instead of the “why.” Have a conversation with your child. Spend more time finding out why they are resisting you. For example, maybe you asked them to help you put away laundry and then c ..read more

n Tallahassee Families, nnnn Children get frustrated when they cannot do something or feel like they are not being heard. It’s important for parents to be patient and forgiving towards their children and also themselves. It’s normal for children to exhibit behavioral outbursts when frustration hits, how we as parents handle it can make all the difference. nnnn Take the time to connect with your child, listen to his/her frustrations and concerns and try to understand why they are feeling the way they are. Say things like, “I can see you’re feeling upset” or “You look really annoyed”—acknowledgi ..read more

n Tallahassee Parents, nnnn Among all the current challenges parents and kids are dealing with, cold and flu season is approaching and there are some steps you can take to fight these viruses. nnnn YOGURT nnnn It’s smart to give your kids some kind of probiotic on a regular basis. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help strengthen the immune system. Food sources include yogurt and kefir (a cultured dairy drink), or ask your child’s doctor about a children’s probiotic supplement. nnnn SWEET POTATOES nnnn Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, a key immune system nutrient that helps ..read more

n Tallahassee Parents, nnnn Do you have a challenge getting your child to eat breakfast? The old saying, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” is not necessarily true, however you do not want your child starting their day with an empty stomach. nnnn Will They Drink Breakfast? nnnn Your child might not be hungry enough to eat breakfast, but maybe they will drink it. A morning smoothy with the right nutrients can be a great way to start the day. It digests fast, can be drunk through a straw and might be the solution. nnnn I don’t have Time to Cook In the Morning? nnnn Morning breakf ..read more