Powerful Role Models: Seven Ways to Make a Positive Impact on Children

They want to be just like you. Are you being a positive role model?
A role model is someone whose behavior is imitated by others. Of course, there are good role models and bad role models. There is even the counterintuitive anti-role model who behaves so badly that s/he serves as a good example of [...]

Who Wants to Be A Virtual Bimbo? Warning to Parents and Educators

Some of my colleagues, have brought a disturbing game to my attention recently called “Miss Bimbo.” Because some of it’s users are as young as age 9, I thought it was my social responsibility to let you know about it. It started in Europe but unfortunately, the popularity of the game is spreading. It’s [...]

Teaching Children How to Manage Money: 5 Tips for Savvy Parents

Five Ways to Teach Your Children about the Value of Money
By Dr. Robyn J.A. Silverman
(Teach your children self reliance and responsibility!)
When I was about 5 years old, my father took me down to the corner store so that he could buy a newspaper for himself and a pack of gum for me. [...]

Justice for Ashley: My Niece’s Teacher Died Too Soon

The kids all called her “Miss Mac” and loved her greatly.
Hi everyone-
I wanted to share a personal story that was featured in the Washington Post today that has touched my life recently.
My six year old niece, Evie, and her classmates received some devastating news when one of their favorite teaching assistants, Ashley McIntosh, age [...]

“Too” Tall or “Too” Short; Feeling Different Can Be Tough for Children and Adults

 
It can be challenging for children to feel like they can fit in, feel confident, and thrive when they feel so different from others. This morning’s (3-26) New York Times featured “The Life of a Tall Girl,” an essay by the exquisite Becky Thomas. This essay talked about the tough mental challenge to [...]

Parents Choice Writing Award And Parenting Publication Awards

I couldn’t wait to share the good news with all of you…
As many of you know, I am a proud columnist for Bay State Parent magazine, a highly praised monthly in New England. We just received notification that Bay State Parent was designated a “2008 Parents’ Choice Approved” award winner in a national magazine [...]

“Mommy, I hate you and Daddy You’re Mean!” Six Tips to Help You Cope with Your Child’s Angry Words

Dear Dr. Robyn,
I feel like the worst Mom. My son is 4 years old and he has always been a very sweet and loving boy. But the other day when we were playing with his toy trucks on the floor he got really mad, threw the truck down, and told me that [...]

Fun Spring Activities for Children: All in one place!

It may still feel like winter for some of us but spring is actually here. That means Spring holidays like Easter and Passover as well as playing outside, long walks, bike riding, and picnics.
What are some great activities for children to do to celebrate the coming of spring and some of the [...]

You can do it! 7 Ways to Teach Your Children Self Reliance and Responsibility

There has been a lot of talk over the last year about “helicopter parents,” parents who hover over their children and swoop in before or at the slightest hint of discomfort, challenge, or threat of failure. Powerful parents know that while they want their children to succeed, there is great value in making mistakes and [...]

Honoring Mr. Rogers: National Sweater Day is March 20th!

Won’t you wear your sweater?
Mr. Rogers always reminds me of a kinder, gentler time when children didn’t have 300 channels of everything from cartoons to candid sex and violence to choose from at 9am. It didn’t promote exaggerated stereotypes, rude language or “pimped-out rides” and any mention of “your crib” really meant, well, your [...]