Teaching kids the skills they need to feel competent and confident when dealing with adults is a big job. Breaking it down into smaller skill sets makes a big difference. Even shy kids often enjoy answering the phone, so check out this video with your kids and teach them four ways to make a great [...]

My 3 and 7 year old love playing together but their play usually results in the expected amount of conflict. I find myself questioning how involved I should get in their disputes. Should I say something when I see someone being unfair? Should I wait until they come to me for help (usually when it [...]

In honor of Mother’s Day, I took a week off from making a video. This week, to answer the question “How can I get my kids to be more appreciative?” I went to some experts. My kids give their advice on teaching kids to be grateful for what they have, and say so.

When EverydayFamily asked their Facebook community “What do change would you like to make this summer at home?” They heard over and over again about parents who were discouraged or frustrated by a child’s attitude.  They asked me for some suggestions, and I hope you’ll stop over and give your own opinion!

It’s too easy for parents to let their own birthdays and anniversaries and accomplishments go uncelebrated. Moms, especially, often try to stay out of the spotlight. Here are 2 reasons to let kids make a big deal out of you, and a way to make sure they do!

I have a 9 year old granddaughter. All of a sudden she will go into a crying spell such as this am. She had spent the night at my home last night as she requests on numerous occasions to do and went to sleep for 9:15 last night and slept until I woke her up [...]

I am so excited to host the second episode of WQED TV iQ:smartparent! We’re talking about Girls Growing Up With Media, and, as always? Setting out to solve some problems parents have with the media our kids see. We worry about the messages boys and girls are getting about what girls’ bodies should look like, [...]

There are too many opportunities to talk to our kids about sad or difficult events. Often adults find those conversations even scarier than the hearing about the event itself. Doctor G has 5 steps parents and educators can take when approaching these talks. Model respect and teach resilience, as we know that this will not [...]

Doctor G was really excited to be the keynote speaker at the International Nanny Association’s national conference this past weekend. One of the nannies was kind enough to ask this great question about how to help a child see her own capability when she’s feeling overwhelmed. How have you taught a child to manage that [...]

Tattling annoys adults. And it doesn’t usually help kids (even though they always think it will!). Here is one way to cut way down on the tattling!

Hi all! I’m busy studying for my Family Medicine Boards – my 10 year recertification exam is April 10 (prayers and warm thoughts welcome) – and so I’m not answering as many questions as usual these few weeks. In the meantime, I was interviewed for a great article on Care.com and thought I’d use this [...]

Most people believe that children only have prejudice if they are raised by people with prejudice. That’s just not true. Young children and cautious children often have an inherent distrust of that which they don’t recognize as familiar – people, and also food, activities, etc. Doctor G has 3 clear tips for helping our children [...]

My friend and I are really worried about dieting in front of our girls. We don’t use the word, and we say we are trying to be “healthier”, but we are really worried about giving the girls a complex about their body size and damaging their relationship with food. What can we do to teach [...]

I feel pretty strongly that kids need to know how and when to apologize. And even more strongly that adults need to model this behavior. Check out the 4 important parts to an apology, and when we can (and when we shouldn’t) use it ourselves!

I wrote over at EverydayFamily today, answering several readers’ questions about that taboo subject… sex. More specifically, how can we talk to younger kids about their private parts, and that makes-parents-terribly-uncomfortable subject: masturbation. It’s not as tough as you’d think. Come check it out!

Some years ago I was on the playground with one of my boys, who was two years old at the time. Another child had brought his own toy to the playground, and refused to share it with my son. The mom extremely apologetic, and very dismayed. “He doesn’t like to share!” she told me, seeming [...]

My son is turning 5 in the fall, and we’re getting a lot of conflicting advice about kindergarten. Do we send him, and have him be maybe the youngest in his class? Or keep him in preschool even though he did a pre-k program this year and he’s going to be bored? He already knows [...]

I’m answering questions over at EverydayFamily today, this batch is about toddlers and preschoolers having trouble accepting a new baby. We can’t control how our kids feel about their sibling, but we can put boundaries around their behaviors and also help the older one feel our love.

Most parents want our kids to help out around the house (click for a free chore chart!), but it’s hard to stay motivated make it happen. It takes consistency and often some arguments. AND it’s faster to do it ourselves! Should we bother? We should. Check out 3 great reasons to involve our kids in chores, [...]

Doctor G, I just watched your YouTube video about video games. You say that parents can choose games to help kids build “skills.” Besides faster hand-eye coordination, what can these games really benefit my child? He is 10 and is great at minecraft and Madden, but really I don’t see how that helps him. Anonymous, [...]