In a world filled with screens, sometimes we forget that learning power of a simple card game. Yet, these games offer some pretty awesome lessons for children. From fostering social skills to enhancing cognitive abilities, here are five fundamental lessons that playing games can teach our children: 1. Teamwork and Cooperation Whether it’s collaborating to escape an island before the water level is too high, or strategizing on which resources you should stockpile so everyone has enough, playing games teaches children the importance of teamwork and cooperation. They learn to communicate effectiv ..read more

I’m sure you’ve seen this scenario play out a hundred times: a child misbehaves or hurts someone, and their parent (or you!) marches over and demands that they apologize to that person. While it may seem like the natural course of action, there are actually reasons why forcing apologies might not be the best approach. Here are four reasons to consider: 1. It Teaches Them That It’s Okay to Give a Non-Authentic Apology Insisting on an apology when a child isn’t genuinely sorry can backfire. It sends the message that parroting the right words is more important than sincerity. Children may learn t ..read more

Resilience is a vital trait that can empower children to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and adaptability. As parents, nurturing resilience in our children is key to their overall well-being and success. Here are four actionable strategies to help build resilience in kids: 1. Embrace Mistakes as Opportunities for Growth Mistakes are an inevitable part of the learning process, and teaching children to view them as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks is crucial. I often say to my girls, “Mistakes are welcome in our house!” When children understand that mistakes are natural an ..read more

One of the most common questions I get from parents is: “What do I do when my kids don’t listen?” Whether it’s ignoring instructions or tuning out completely, dealing with unresponsive kids can feel exasperating.  However, there are effective strategies to encourage better listening skills in children without resorting to frustration or yelling. Here are three tips for handling those moments when your kids aren’t listening: 1. Get Close and Speak Kindly Instead of raising your voice or yelling from across the room, try getting close to your child and speaking to them in a calm and gentle ..read more

Does mealtime ever seem stressful at your house? If you feel like you have any sort of a picky eater, getting kids to eat can often feel like an uphill battle.  However, there are strategies to promote a healthy relationship with food and to avoid fighting about eating. Here are three ways to navigate mealtime peacefully with your children. 1. Keep Food Neutral One of the most effective ways to avoid conflicts about food is to keep the atmosphere around mealtime neutral. When we choose to fight and argue over food, mealtime becomes stressful and negative for everyone.  Avoid labeling ..read more

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be challenging to fit in quality one-on-one time with your children. But nurturing your relationship with your kids is essential! Spending meaningful time together not only strengthens your bond, but also it builds trust and understanding.  So, how can you carve out those precious moments when life is already busy? Here are some simple, yet effective tips from each member of our team to help you fit in one-on-one time with your children. Ralphie When my kiddos were little, we would do an hour of reading time every Saturday. I used that ti ..read more

Come to my webinar “Calm in the Chaos: How to Parent Well Even When Things Feel Crazy” anytime HERE.  Here’s just ONE of the tools I teach parents for how to stay calm. A Strategy Called “Go To The Balcony” Have you ever heard of the strategy “Go to the Balcony”? It works wonders in helping parents stay calm. Let’s say that I’m having a frustrating interaction with a child. Mid sentence I tell myself, “Ralphie, go to the balcony.” When I go to the balcony,” it’s not literal, but in my mind. It’s as if I’m on a balcony watching a play unfold. This helps me remove myself from the situa ..read more

I never promote a product without trying it and falling in love with it myself. All of the products below have been engrained in my family culture, and I know that your family will love them too. Below are all of my top-requested discount codes! Shine Cosmetics Use code RALPHIE for 10% off I simply LOVE Shine’s products. I have used their products exclusively for the last five years. A simple makeup routine makes my life so much easier and Shine’s #1 selling product BB cream is the perfect light coverage. It lasts me 6-8 months even though I literally use it every day! I wear the color Awaken ..read more

Has your child ever misbehaved in a public setting and you were just plain mortified by their behavior? Or, have they misbehaved at home and you got frustrated because you thought they knew better? Why Children Misbehave Let me tell you friends, there are two main reasons why children misbehave: It more reinforcing for them to misbehave than to behave well.  They simply DON’T KNOW how to perform.  Check out that second reason!  They don’t know HOW.  Either we are asking them to do something that isn’t developmentally appropriate or they haven’t been effectively taught HOW ..read more

Valentine’s Day is all about love, and what better way to celebrate it than to do all the things your family loves? We call it “We Love to Be a Family Day.”  This tradition is FREE, easy, and requires almost no prep. It’s a simple handmade map that promises a day full of laughter and bonding–sign me up! All you need is a poster or brown paper bag, some colorful paper, and a dash of enthusiasm. Step 1: Prepping the “We Love To Be A Family” Map Cut out 5-6 paper hearts in Valentine’s colors. Grab a poster or cut up a giant brown paper bag to make a large paper surface.  These ingredien ..read more