Dr. Rene At Home – Parenting by Dr. Rene

How Your Own Sibling Relationships Can Impact Your Children’s Sibling Relationships

I’ll admit, I am about to way oversimplify an issue about complex family dynamics. There are people who spend years in therapy unraveling the impact from the next few points. That said, there are some fairly obvious ways your own sibling relationships, from growing up and from current exchange, can impact your children’s … Continue reading How Your Own Sibling Relationships Can Impact Your Children’s Sibling Relationships

Having Difficult Conversations with Children

As a parent, there are so many potentially difficult conversations in front of you. This may include conversations about transitions like moving to a new place or a marriage separation. At some point, you’ll likely have to talk about the significant illness or death of a close relative. Also as they grow, you’ll need … Continue reading Having Difficult Conversations with Children

Want Your Older Children to Really Talk to You? Practice Open Talk Time

When my girls were little, I practiced Stanley Greenspan’s floortime with them as a way to really connect with them in play. Here is a post with the basic guidelines of floortime. As they got older, there was a gradual shift from floortime to open talk time. In my family, this shift started around 8 … Continue reading Want Your Older Children to Really Talk to You? Practice Open Talk Time

What to Do When They Don’t Like Lessons

Last summer your four-year-old agreed to swim lessons, and he even seemed a little excited. However when swim lessons started, he clung to your leg and cried through the first lesson. He sat on the side for the next few lessons that followed. Here are some ideas for the next go around: Ask what they’d … Continue reading What to Do When They Don’t Like Lessons

Fun Things to Do on Snow Days

Last year we had a full week home with snow days. Late on day two, we made a list. I hope it helps on your next snow day! Stay in your pajamas with your kids all day Take bubbles baths Bake cookies from scratch Color Paint Any craft kits that have been sitting on the … Continue reading Fun Things to Do on Snow Days

Encouraging Piano Practice

Dear Dr. Rene, My seven-year-old son has been taking piano for six months. The first several months came easy to him, and he was happy to practice. Now that the learning is requiring a bit of effort, he grumbles about the practice. How can I encourage him to practice without being all ‘tiger mom’? I’d … Continue reading Encouraging Piano Practice

Northern Virginia Staycation (Updated 2017)

I made this list when we stayed home for yet another Spring Break, and thought it would be equally helpful to share at the start of summer! There are so many great things to do in the Northern Virginia area. The Smithsonian- Our family’s favorite museums include the Natural History Museum, the two Air and Space … Continue reading Northern Virginia Staycation (Updated 2017)

Tips for Teaching Manners

There are a few games for teaching manners like for “Mother May I” we add “Mother May I Please.” The exchange before moving is, “mother, may I please take two steps?” “yes, you may,” “thank you,” “your welcome.” After each four phrase exchange, the child moves and the next player asks. Start a ‘manners jar.’ … Continue reading Tips for Teaching Manners

Parenting with Unconditional Love Matters Most When It’s Hard to Do

Unconditional love is easy when things are going as planned, but it can become difficult when things are not going as expected. Let’s say you are an outgoing and social mom married to an outgoing and social dad, and your first child is equally comfortable in social settings. Your second child comes along and is … Continue reading Parenting with Unconditional Love Matters Most When It’s Hard to Do

Nature Walk Ideas by Age

I grew up in a bird-watching, nature-loving family. We camped for summer vacations and had bird books on the coffee table. My parents still hike out to the middle of nowhere at 4:00 a.m. once a year for the Christmas Bird Count. With my own kids, we have found there are so many fabulous places … Continue reading Nature Walk Ideas by Age