Member Articles

By Shannon Hutton, M.Ed., M.P.A.

What to do about the mean girls
If you have a daughter, take the time to read this. It could save her a lot of heartache. Not to mention stomach aches, headaches, missed days of school,…
The nag-free morning routine
Well the first day of school has come and gone. And with that went all the excitement that caused my daughters to be up and ready for school without any…
Are You Listening to Me?
I used to think my kids were ignoring me and it drove me crazy! Hello! Are you in there? Then I realized they weren’t ignoring me, they just weren’t…
Before I Was a Mother
Before I was a mother, I would rarely say I was sorry because I didn’t want to admit I was wrong. Now that I’m a mother, I’m quick to…
What to Do if Your Child is Misbehaving at School
We all want our children to be well behaved, especially when we’re not around to intervene. So that’s why it can be so difficult when we get that phone call from school saying that our child is misbehaving.
How to Tell Your Children that You Are Getting Divorced
Divorce can be awful, and telling your kids is a very difficult part of the process. However, there are many things you can do to prepare for the conversation…
When to Tell Your Kids You're Planning to Divorce
Earlier, we talked about how to tell your child you are getting a divorce. Now, let's talk about when.Before I provide this type of guidance, I want…
How to Handle Sibling Bickering
For some people, the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard is the worst sound ever. For others, it’s the sound of sirens. For me, and many of the…
How to Reduce Preschooler Anxiety About Going to the Doctor
Going to the doctor’s office can be anxiety provoking for preschoolers. This is often because preschoolers either don’t know what to expect,…
Household Chores Teach Kids Responsibility
Much to my childrens’ chagrin, I’m a firm believer that children should help out around the house. This is because when children do their…
How to Find a Good Babysitter
Finding a good babysitter can be a very stressful experience. Many parents rely on friends and family to watch their children, but there are inevitably…
Actions teach better than words
We’ve all heard the expression “actions speak louder than words.” Not only do I firmly believe that, I also think when it comes to parenting,…
The leaves are falling -- catch a memory!
This activity is so simple, but has given me some of my favorite parenthood memories! When I think back on some of my more elaborate efforts at orchestrating…
How to make sock puppets
I like doing activities with my kids with items we have around the house already. It not only promotes creativity, but saves me a trip to the local craft…
Crafts for kids: Paper plate pumpkins
I love when my kids come home from school with artwork. Not only because it boosts their self-confidence when I proudly displa
Make a Christmas classic with your kids
I love decorating my house for Christmas. I especially like hanging up decorations that my kids have made over the years. So I'm extra careful every year…