Dear Miss Faith, It seems whenever we need to get something done, my 3.5yo son either flops down and makes himself into a dead-weight, or runs away and makes himself physically impossible to get to. After bath he runs immediately and hides in the corner behind the rocking chair, which makes it nearly impossible for me to get to him. I am frustrated by this, and have even … [Read more...]
Posts about Discipline & Connecting
Translating for Children
May 25, 2012 · by · 2 Comments
Dear Miss Faith, I have recently started caring for a few children (in addition to my son) in my home, and I'm having a hard time with one little boy who is 3yo. He growls and yells at other children, blames other children for doing things to him when they weren’t within 10 feet of him, often collapses when asked to do something he doesn’t want to do, pinches – though this … [Read more...]
Saying Goodbye
May 3, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment
Dear Miss Faith, I am a working mom (though I would much rather be a stay at home mom, it's not financially possible at this time), and my Mother-in-Law cares for my 2yo son each day. Lately, when she's been leaving, he's been falling apart completely. Do you have any suggestions for how to make "parting with grandma" easier? Yesterday he had a total meltdown. From the … [Read more...]
3 Year Old Defiance
April 26, 2012 · by · 8 Comments
Dear Miss Faith, My son is 3.5yo, and we’re struggling with defiance. I had been very permissive with him in the past, and it wasn’t serving us or him. Now I am struggling to establish new boundaries. I feel like this is the right thing to do, but it isn’t going so well. In the moment, when I am exercising my authority he either throws a tantrum (a new behavior from him), or … [Read more...]
When they Can’t Have what they Want
March 27, 2012 · by · 7 Comments
Dear Miss Faith, I'm a nanny of two boys, and I'd love your advice on situations like this: The other morning, Joey came down for breakfast and he saw that his dad had put the little brother's food on a plate that Joey thinks is "his," and the sight of that triggered a total meltdown. His parents were home (as they often are when I am there) and they assured him that the little … [Read more...]
Being Firm without Being Mean
February 24, 2012 · by · 9 Comments
I've talked before about how it benefits children when we have clear expectations and firm boundaries, and how it is reassuring to children to know that we are in charge. I've talked about how having regular schedules and doing things the same way each time can help cut down on discipline issues and allow children to develop expertise. But even when we do all of these things, … [Read more...]
Acting Out
February 16, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment
Dear Miss Faith, My three year old is having such a hard time lately, acting antagonistic towards his baby brothers, and no amount of helping him or punishing him is seeming to work. I've tried everything I can think of and I'm at a loss...It seems like he has lots of opportunities to get his big energy out...what do I do when nothing seems to work? … [Read more...]
Throwing Toys
February 10, 2012 · by · 2 Comments
Dear Miss Faith, I am a home daycare provider and I wonder if you could give some advice on what to do when children throw toys or mistreat them. Getting angry doesn't seems to be helping, lol. -D. … [Read more...]
Responding to Biting
January 27, 2012 · by · 2 Comments
Dear Miss Faith, I have a 2 ½ year old an 18 month old, and both are biting. We’re doing as much as we can to prevent them from biting in the first place, but my question is about what do to once a bite has happened. In general, when one bites another, we say "no biting. look you really hurt her/him" in a stern way as we comfort the child who was hurt. is this a good … [Read more...]
Clingy & Possessive 2.5yo
January 15, 2012 · by · 15 Comments
Hi Faith! I have been thinking over the past 10 days that I am sure you could shed some light on what is happening with my 2 1/2 yo. son. I stay at home with him and there have been no changes to routine or the environment that I can detect. In the past my son has been friendly and charming when around others that live in the home (dad, older sister, and grandmother) but over … [Read more...]
