Tag Archives: Birmingham

Successfully Managing the Morning Routine

1 comment Children's Mental Health, Healthy Living, Parenting , , , ,

Like many of you, weekday mornings are chaotic at best. I have 3 children, ages 2, 6, and 9. Many days no one wants to even get out of bed. Other days, everyone is up but arguments ensue about what to wear – shorts in 50 degree weather, horribly mismatched clothing, or my son who questions the necessity of underwear. Then there’s trouble deciding what to eat for breakfast, finding shoes, and “Oh, I forgot, can you sign this mommy?” all within the last 10 minutes before the mad dash out the door in the midst of praying that they don’t […]

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The 10 Commandments of Healthy Parenting, Part II

1 comment Children's Mental Health, Parenting , , , , , , , ,

4) Exercise the gift of choice Many days all I want is for each of my children to do exactly what I say exactly when I say it and to do it without grumbling, loud and heavy sighs, or 20 questions. This would make my life so much easier; but, oftentimes there are protests and rebuttals. To interrupt the brewing dissension, I offer my children choices. Do you want to wear blue or black shorts today? Do you want chicken or turkey burgers for dinner? Would you rather grab lunch now or go with me to the store to pick […]

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The 10 Commandments of Healthy Parenting, Part I

0 comments Children's Mental Health, Parenting , , , , , , , ,

I am the mother of 3 amazing children – 2 daughters ages 2 and 9 and a 6-year-old son.  Parenting is simultaneously the most wonderful and challenging experience of my adult life.  You might think I would have it altogether – I mean I am a board certified child psychiatrist, right? Well, these 3 have given me a run for my money and manage to do it every single day. While I know all about the science behind normal childhood development and strategies to manage temper outbursts, applying the knowledge and skills firsthand with my own children is brutal, especially […]

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The ABCs of Self-Esteem

0 comments Children's Mental Health, Parenting , , , , , , ,

I have 3 wonderfully exuberant children — a 6-year-old son and 2 and 9-year-old daughters. Much like their fabulous mother, they each possess a strong sense of identity and self-worth. Most of the time, they tackle life and the challenges that life brings with enthusiasm, courage, boldness,  and an unwavering belief in their unique ability to accomplish whatever task is at hand. But sometimes they falter. They become doubtful of their intelligence, talent, and mental and physical fortitude.  In these moments, their momentum is stalled; interrupted; or, worse, irrevocably destroyed. I struggle to comfort them in these moments. I seek the […]

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A Fresh Start in 2017

1 comment Faith, Healthy Living , , , , , , , ,

2017 has arrived – we are just over 2 weeks in!. A new year is an exciting time for it ushers in hope, promise, and new beginnings.  We leave behind the old and begin anew. Galvanized by a collective fresh start in 2017, I have compiled 12 scriptures, 1 for each month of the year, to motivate, inspire, and encourage us as we embark upon a new, and prayerfully transformative, journey in 2017. January – II Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life […]

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