© 2016 – 2020 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Parenting stress puts a strain on the whole family — sapping patience, damaging relationships, eroding well-being. What can we do about it? Here are some suggestions inspired by the latest research. 1. Need social support? Reach out — even if it’s just a phone call Read More »
© 2020 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved White parents need to talk with their children about race, but mistaken beliefs often get in the way. Here’s what parents need to know to become better agents of change. For years, researchers have documented the phenomenon: Many white parents avoid talking with their children about race. Read More »
© 2020 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved How do you teach kids to be helpful? To be generous and kind? Studies suggest we should avoid heavy-handed tactics and bribes. Instead, we need to respect — and nurture — our children’s natural inclinations to do good. Helpful? Generous? Caring? Psychologists call these behaviors “prosocial,” and Read More »
Parenting stress damages our well-being, and it may alter the course of a child’s development. What causes it? How does it change us? What can we do to cope?
What causes stress in babies? How can we protect babies from toxic stress? Here are evidence-based tips to avoid meltdowns, and foster healthy development.
What are the effects of praise? It depends. Praise can boost good feelings and increase motivation. It can inspire children to be more cooperative, persistent, and hard-working. But some kids bristle in response to praise, and even those who like praise can experience negative effects. Here’s how to make sure that praise helps — and Read More »
Permissive parenting seems to be the “no discipline” approach to discipline. Does it damage kids? Threaten to destroy civilization? The research suggests that permissiveness isn’t the best approach to parenting — at least not in places like the United States. But much as we might get annoyed by parents who let their kids disrupt other Read More »
© 2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Some studies have linked the permissive parenting style with optimal child outcomes. But the results depend on how researchers define “permissive.” Kids don’t benefit when parents ignore anti-social behavior. But being supportive of autonomy? That’s different. Studies suggest that kids thrive when parents are less bossy and punitive, and more Read More »
© 2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Parents can help children recover from stress by offering physical affection and words of support. But is there more? Maybe secure attachment relationships also help kids develop the ability to self-soothe. What happens when you soothe your baby’s tears? When you make eye contact, engage your baby Read More »
Correcting behavior? Studies suggest the best approach is positive and constructive. When kids make mistakes, we should ask them to think about solutions.
Spanking children doesn’t help them learn self-control or social skills, and studies consistently show that spanking increases a child’s risk of developing behavior problems. But how can we be sure that spanking is harmful, and what can parents do instead when their children misbehave?
Is Chinese parenting superior? Amy Chua argues that Chinese kids achieve more because traditional Chinese moms are more strict and demanding. Here’s what the research suggests.