Insights & Inspiration

Dealing with a moody tween requires adjusting your communication style, respecting their growing independence, and using empathy to connect with their experiences. Stop talking to them like little kids, give them age-appropriate responsibilities, and remember your own tween years to better understand their struggles.

Picky eating is a normal developmental phase starting around age two, driven by children's growing independence, developing motor and sensory skills, and parents' own food attitudes. Most kids outgrow it by age eight, and with the right approach, you can navigate this challenging phase more effectively.

Summer activities often disrupt kids' sleep schedules, but occasional late nights aren't harmful. Stick to routines where possible, create familiar sleep environments on vacation, and gradually adjust bedtimes (15 minutes earlier each night) when returning to normal schedules. Watch for signs of sleep deprivation and model good sleep habits yourself.

Empathy - the ability to understand and share others' feelings - is crucial for children's development. While it can't be directly taught, children learn empathy by experiencing it from their parents. The key is modeling empathetic behavior, using emotion coaching techniques, and consistently validating your child's feelings. Research shows that children who develop empathy have better self-esteem, academic performance, and fewer behavioral problems.