3 Strategies That Will Completely Change the Way You Discipline Your Child
You can discipline your child while staying emotionally connected to him.
May 21, 2021
You can discipline your child while staying emotionally connected to him.
Have you ever said, “NO” to your child repeatedly and he refuses to listen? Read this…
One of the best things you can do to fight off depression and anxiety is to practice gratitude. Try this 14-day gratitude challenge with the whole family!
Is your child returning to in-person school this fall? If so you may still be hesitant. Here’s how to prepare to safely transition back to school.
Is your child online learning this fall? Here are some tips to ease your child (and you) into remote schooling this fall.
Say this, not that. Dr. Meg shares positive phrases to encourage parent-child cooperation and connection.
It’s inevitable you will hurt your child in the process of parenting them, whether through your words or actions. Here’s how to heal and move forward.
Stress management during this time is very important. Use this month to take inventory of your stress level and how you’re managing this transition.
As we enter February, it’s a perfect time to examine not only your own relationship with your partner but how your child might view your relationship.
Over-giving to young children can make them feel overwhelmed, which is why I recommend parents store most toys out of reach.
Your goal as a parent should not be to fight technology, but rather to set healthy boundaries around it for your kids. They won’t do this for themselves.
Dr. Meg shares how to motivate an unhealthy teenager with three strategies to inspire change.
If you’re unsure what postpartum depression is, if you’re wondering if you have it or if a friend of yours does, here is what you need to know.
We parents have taken our children to church, telling them Bible stories and teaching them prayers, but have fallen short on teaching them of Easter.
After becoming aware of an article regarding corrupt college testing methods, I wanted to talk about the biggest downfall of not letting you kids fail
It’s getting harder and harder to convince our children to want to be married. The difficulty is modeling an ideal marriage. The key? Give the gift of empathy.
Raising an emotionally healthy daughter is not impossible, you just have to understand what she needs and what she’s up against.
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
Wednesday marked a day of mourning for the entire country. The final words of George H.W. Bush were spoken. And I believe every parent needs to read them.
It’s the thought that counts. In this post, Dr. Meg explains how online shopping can help you teach your kids the meaning of Christmas—in an unexpected way.
The mix of multiple families can be hazardous—but it also can be amazing. Here are my thoughts on navigating a blended family the right way.
Learning about money early on can help kids become smarter with their finances as adults. Here’s how to set your child up for success.
This holiday is about more than Easter eggs; it’s about love, sacrifice, and gratitude. Here are the two lessons God imparts to us during this holy weekend.
Co-parenting is tough, especially when your ex is a negative influence. Establish respect and boundaries for the sake of your children.
An adventurous spirit is a gift and can be nurtured in a child. Dr. Meg speaks to Bob and Maria Goff about raising kids who can take the whole world on.
Staying connected to your child during their tumultuous teen years is the most important thing for his well-being. Dr. Cloud weighs in with his expert advice.
Even the fussiest baby on earth can be sleep trained. Try these tips from parenting expert Dr. Bill Sears to get your baby sleeping through the night.
Nobody wants to expose their child to tragedy. These three tips can help you navigate grief and illness while keeping your family strong and connected.
Dreams work best when they’re nurtured and guided along a real path to success. Here are three ways to do that according to Dr. Meg Meeker and David A.R. White.
Research shows the presence of mothers and fathers affects children differently. Here’s how non-nuclear families can ensure their child’s healthy development.
Life after divorce can be just as hard as life before it, especially for children. If your children are still struggling, here are some tips that may help.
Back to school is always a little rough. Try these six tips to help your children be more disciplined, well-rested, and excited when the weekend finally hits!
Ask Dr. Meg: My 22-year-old wants a tattoo! Here are practical suggestions for advising your adult child.
Teenagers lie for one of several reasons. Dr. Meg helps a worried mother handle her daughter’s worrisome pattern of lying.
Does your child want to quit their new activity or sport? Here’s when quitting is acceptable.
Is your child asking to be homeschooled? Here is how to handle this sensitive situation with practicality.
Mothers are the love-givers. Whether a son or a daughter is the recipient, giving love well is still very difficult.
It’s hard to raise the perfect child—almost impossible. But here’s how you can avoid the chasm of spoil.
Going through a divorce is already painful enough, here’s how you can keep a solid relationship with your daughter after a hard breakup.
It’s difficult to have a child grow further away from you. Here’s Dr. Meg’s guide on how to handle this like a pro.
We learn a lot from anguish and heartache. Here’s my inspiring story about the life that changed many.
Making big life changes can be scary, but they can also be rewarding. Here’s Dr. Meg’s input on an abusive ex.
With such an emphasis on gifts, how do you teach kids the real meaning of Christmas? Dr. Meg offers some advice.
Your children are witnesses to your marriage. Dr. Meg comforts a struggling mother whose marital problems are affecting her daughter.
Fibs can protect kids, and hurt them. Dr. Meg helps a woman whose brother has crossed the line.
All little girls need certain things from their fathers, and sadly, many never get them. This is how to heal the child within.
Dr. Meg provides a platform for the words of an emerging young writer as he shares his experience during his parents’ divorce.
Grandparents, you may feel like your job is over, but you can give your grandkids something their parents can’t.
Is your child introverted and socially anxious? There are ways to support them and still prepare them for the world.
Dr. Meg offers advice to a mom whose teenage son does not want to participate in morning devotionals with the family.
Many moms fear discipline because they’re afraid of being disliked or resented. Moms, don’t do this to your kids.
If you have an only child, you might worry about how a lack of siblings may affect them. This is what you need to know.
Giving your children free reign of their cell phone derails their self-esteem, safety, and even their faith. Here’s how.
Can a marriage be repaired after infidelity? Dr. Meg gives a lost husband the tools to save his family.
Being a good father is hard, and doing it when you and your wife are no longer together is even tougher, but it’s possible!
Burnout doesn’t just happen at work; you can be burned out emotionally. Here’s how to restore your energy during even the toughest parts of life.
Dr. Meg shares wisdom from her best-selling book on how fathers can empower their young girls to become strong women.
What do you do if your child’s tantrums are making you feel unconnected and frustrated? You’re not alone; here’s what to do.
How do you balance keeping true to your own beliefs and not approving of your child’s beliefs? The answer is in the Bible.
Being a good parent isn’t about full transparency; it’s about modeling good behavior for the sake of your children. Dr. Meg explains why.
Mothers, you’re doing a better job than you think. Give yourself a pat on the back and a little love!
We all want the best for our kids. Here’s what’s normal and what’s not, and some tips for parents.
Moving from a life of abuse and maniulation takes monumental effort, but your focus needs to be on protecting and empowering your children.
All parents worry, and that never goes away. But with this technique I learned to channel my anxiety intentionally, and you can too.
Fathers are the hub of the home, and that responsibility is a lifelong one. Share this with the man in your life.
Will you join me on my venture towards better parenting? It starts by expressing value in this one thing.
Parents of divorce, it’s never too late to rekindle the relationship with your children. Divorce is tough on kids, but life after divorce is possible.
If I can teach you one thing, it’s this: never, ever give up on yourself. Dr. Meg consoles a very lost woman on her road to recovery.
How do you help your child get out of a negative or damaging relationship without pushing them in the opposite direction?
Draw closer to your children with this incredibly simple trick. I promise it will make a world of difference.
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
They say boys take longer to mature than girls, and in a number of ways, that’s very true. Girls, from a young age, seem to anticipate their future as a woman.
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
I know it sounds like an oxymoron to say that humility will make your daughter feel more significant, but here’s why it’s true.
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
Boys spend far too little time with parents and they suffer because of it. And we all know it. A survey reports.
An important part of adolescence is separating from one’s parents, in a process called emancipation.
How does one DO love without enabling them or ignoring them? I’ve not been able to get to a middle road with knowing how and when and what it looks like.
I was wondering if you could help me with my situation I am dealing with. My 21 year old daughter is pregnant and has decided to allow the baby to be adopted.
Our children may be smart, but parents need to be smarter. Dr. Meg offers advice to the mother of a bright but devious child.
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
Many of you dads feel estranged, intimidated and lost when it comes to your kids. I have good news for you: it’s never too late to make amends with your kids.
The strongest desire of the Christian parent’s heart is to communicate the love you feel for Jesus to your kids
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
It’s my pleasure to “swap” blog posts today with Linda Weddle from Life Threads, the blog for Awana.
To those who want access to God without reconciling the person of Jesus, this won’t sit well because when we keep God vague, he can be all things to all people.
Be sympathetic to the introvert, especially if that introvert is a growing child.
Never in my 55 years have I heard such vitriolic speech between the two very necessary political parties in our country.
Encourage your teens and young adults to make a list of non-negotiable attributes for a potential partner in marriage.
Our kids didn’t sign up to be our kids. It is unfair for us to bail on them. Divorce is difficult for everyone involved.
“They don’t want to read about you being their hero, they want to experience it.”
Dads in particular seem to struggle with fear. I’m not a dad, but I talk to a lot of you and there’s one theme that continues to arise.
Many parents have children who are really hard to spend time with. I know because I see these kids interact with their parents in my office.
Once we have identified our real motives for our behaviors, then, we are ready to make some serious changes.
Last week, I wrote a post about the powerful influence of alcohol advertising on children and teens. That post prompted this question from a reader:
Roe v. Wade is now 40 years old and when it passed, I was 15. As an active Catholic sophomore in high school, I knew something in our world was different.
Every parent knows exactly what he means. Bad stuff is oozing from everywhere onto our kids and we can’t seem to contain it anymore. Here’s a case in point.
Advent should be a time of deep soul searching. That’s another reason why I love it.We go to church, buy presents, light candles, and decorate trees.
Advent is my favorite time of year. I like the lights, the trees, the robust blooms of red all around (even if they’re fake).
Find me one American mother who doesn’t want to tweak something about her body, and I’ll pay you $100.
I understand now why millions of people spend thousands of dollars each year just to experience its magnificence.
Thanks to all of you for reading my books and supporting my message. I am delighted to share with you another way to get the word out:
Mothers are keen to help their children combat bullying, but we mustn’t forget that bullies aren’t always packaged in school kids’ bodies. Adults bully, too.
Parenting critics love to hammer mothers (and fathers) about why we give our kids so much
Solitude strengthens our relationships with loved ones and it helps us stay centered and sane in the midst of “choice overload,”.
Many married women (and married men) insist that having a best friend of the opposite sex is perfectly healthy.
Many parents complain that they can’t play games with their kids. A 5-year-old plays Candyland, loses, and throws the dice across the floor.
From the time your son is an infant, his relationship with you—Mom or Dad—sets the template for how he will relate to every other person in his world
Boys should, indeed, be boys. But boys who drink, take drugs, and have sex outside of marriage aren’t “normal” teenagers…
Sooner or later, parents, your kids are going to ask the “big” questions. It’s important to be ready with a solid answer—especially for your son—and here’s why.
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
It’s bikini season. Summer always means there will be women (and young girls) wearing skimpy clothing that leaves nothing to the imagination.
One of the most common places that I see great fathers back away from standing up for what they believe is right for their daughters stems around clothing.
They grow up so fast, don’t they? “My seven-year-old taught me how to download music.” “My fifth grader wants a tattoo.” But how about this perspective?
All of you parents riding the subway to work racked with guilt because your kids are at home with the sitter or at Grandma’s bored to tears, I have good news.
If you’ve got a little girl still living at home, her wedding day may seem really far away. But, sooner than you think, it will be tomorrow.
Emotional intimacy occurs when a teenager feels a parent has “seen into” her true self and accepted what is there.
Appreciation is a word we use to describe our recognition of someone else’s value or worth.
In my line of work I’ve had the opportunity to meet some famous people: Bill O’Reilly, Matt Lauer, Katie Couric, Tina Fey, to name a few.
In the early evening of a hot summer day I sat at the end of a wooden dock, my feet skimming the tepid water, watching a mother swan.
The older we get, the simpler life becomes. A close loved one of mine recently found out she has stage 3 cancer.
When we think of masculine men, we (women at least) envision those with one overriding quality: a spine of steel.
I believe that folks who comment on books or movies they haven’t read or seen are intellectually dishonest.
The New York Times recently ran a story about the staggering numbers of unwed mothers under thirty who are having children.
Today’s post is an adapted excerpt from Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters:
With three grown children out of college and one still in, I understand how frustrating the college experience can be from start to finish.
Every day I talk to frustrated parents. Most wonder what they can do to make their kids do what they want them to.
Whatever prompts you this advent season to hunker down and get very serious and practical, look up at the sky.
We are significant because each of us has extraordinary gifts which we can use to make others’ lives better.
As far as kids are concerned, good mothers are known by their character, not by the education, clothes or coaches they supply.
Being a parent can often seem like a daunting task. But I’m here to tell you that almost every parent has what it takes to raise healthy sons.
I was sitting next to my sister-in-law during church on Sunday when she made a remark that struck a cord.
I thought I’d share a video to round out my blog series on The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers.
Julie has 14 kids. No, she isn’t crazy. Only 9 live in her house now. She and her husband John had four of their own and then began taking in foster children.
A special shout-out to my readers that commented that they suspected bullying as the root of Maddy’s mystery.
The power of our fears can be enormous. An initially small fear can morph into a larger, broader one over time.
I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I am collecting stories about sons and their mothers. Several very kind and generous folks responded (thank you!)
Starving, binging, vomiting and using laxatives to lose weight are no longer issues that just teenage girls contend with. Nope. Now, adult women are doing them.
I’ve got another parent puzzler for you today. Discipline questions are some of the toughest, I think.
I have been thinking and writing a great deal about mothers and sons lately and I need your input, faithful readers.
I’ll be the first to admit it: I am a recovering, albeit slowly recovering, obsessive worrier. When moms have nothing to worry about, we sometimes make stuff up
Many lovely people are writing in asking if I could share the letter I read on-air yesterday to my late Father.
Today, I’m trying something new. Below is a common problem that parents face at one time or another. Dads (and Moms), I’m interested to hear what you would do…
I’m starting a regular column on CafeMom.com called “Ask Dr. Meg” and I’m counting on YOU, followers and friends, to send me your questions.
Parents generally do a good job of shepherding their children through the first 10 to 12 years of their lives, author and pediatrician Meg Meeker says.
Nicole Clark and Audrey Brashich, author “All Made up: A Girl’s Guide to Seeing Through Celebrity Hype and Celebrating Real Beauty.”
It is hard to laugh without feeling pleasure or enjoyment. Believe it or not, many mothers subconsciously refuse to let themselves feel pleasure.
Let us not be so fooled. We need other women if we are to work more efficiently, worry less and stay healthier.
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
Contrary to what many mothers believe, being humble does not mean being self-effacing. In fact it is quite the opposite!
When you walk into a room your son changes immediately, he relaxes because you are there and life is safe again.
I’ve seen mothers struggle with ten issues for the past twenty-five years, and I’ve also learned how to help them live simplier, happier, more fulfilling lives.
I was hoping that you could pass this email along to Dr. Meeker. I thought her book was one of the best pieces of work I’ve read in a long time.
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
She’s too chubby. He’s too scrawny. Food obsession- whether it revolves around restriction or indulgence haunts our children. And as such, it haunts all of us.
There are secrets to raising boys. Among these secrets are the big seven. They’ll appear here over the next few days. Secret number one is:
Ask Dr. Meg: real questions, real answers. If you’d like to ask me a question, leave a comment on this blog post and I’ll do everything I can to get to it!
Your daughter wants a hero and she has chosen you, Dad, to be hers. She needs a hero to help her navigate a treacherous popular culture.
In my last blog I didn’t get around to discussing Gardasil, so let’s look at it now.
I challenged Sandy to pull the plug on television, the internet, video games and cell phones of each of her four kids, for a few hours every day this summer.
I’ve been thinking lately about simplifying my life. The older I get, the more overwhlemed I become with “choice overload.”
I just started reading your latest book, “Boys Should Be Boys.” I love it and I cannot put it down.
I wrote Boys Should Be Boys for several reasons. First, I believe that our boys are being ignored and pushed aside, even attacked. Here’s why I say that.
Dr. Meg Meeker is a global leading authority in child-father relationships. She has over 30 years of experience as a pediatrician; is the author of the bestselling book and now movie, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters; host of the popular parenting podcast, Parenting Great Kids; TEDTalk and international speaker; and father-inclusive advocate. As an expert in the field, Dr. Meg equips dads (and those who love them) with tools and training based on extensive practical experience and research.