Does your child hear the word, ‘No!’ more than 400 times a day?

The average toddler hears the word “no” an astonishing 400 times a day, according to experts. You, like me, may, at first, think that this must be an exaggeration but pause to ponder this…when we tell a toddler ‘No’ we usually say,’ No, no, no!’ which is actually three times in three seconds – reinforcing […]

The Oops Plan – When Perfect Plans Plummet!

  You know when your plans don’t always go according to plan? You know ‘the best laid plans of mice and men’ scenario when even with the most careful planning things don’t necessarily work out the way you thought? You know that moment when your kids are tired, overwhelmed, frustrated, striving for more independence or […]

The Behaviour Blogs ~ Part 5 ‘Being A Best Friend’

Now if your parenting style is like ‘Being A Best Friend’ you believe that children like it if you act as if you are their best friend. 1. You believe that being nice and friendly makes your children like you. 2. You believe that your children are equal to you so you negotiate with them, you […]

Helping Children Behave Better in the Classroom with Sue Atkins

An interview with my great pal across the pond – Dr. Lynne Kenney on how kindness and collaboration can improve children’s behaviour in the classroom. Lynne Kenney, Psy.D., is a practicing pediatric psychologist, author and international educator in Scottsdale, AZ. With a keen interest in changing the trajectory of children’s learning through cognitive-exercise, Dr. Kenney […]

Sue Atkins on Helping Complicated Children Succeed in The Classroom.

My frank interview with Dr. Lynne Kenney – a practicing paediatric psychologist in Scottsdale, AZ with advanced training in forensic psychology and developmental paediatrics. She is the author of Bloom Today on #Bloombrainsmarts the UK’s respected parenting expert Sue Atkins and I have a frank conversation about helping complicated, intense, or behaviourally disruptive kids in […]

Why it’s NOT a good idea to be your child’s friend.

So many of the Mums I work with on my Drop In & Chat sessions want to be their child’s friend and don’t want to be the “baddie” telling them off or disciplining them. But that’s just not want kids need. Children thrive on boundaries, limits and structure. They feel safe, they feel secure and […]

Most parents ‘lie to their children’ – what ones do you tell ?

I was chatting on LBC Radio today about a new study of families in the United States and China that shows that most parents tell lies to their children as a tactic to change their behaviour! The most frequent example was parents threatening to leave children alone in public unless they behaved. Persuasion ranged from […]

Get your kids focused on a positive challenge to avoid negative behaviour.

I am delighted to have connected with Seamus Lusk on Twitter as Impetus Engagement and here is a response to an article I wrote about Saying “NO” to your children with confidence.   “Sue Atkins helps many parents understand the intricacies of handling children.  Her useful advice eases issues parents can encounter.  On her website, […]