Philosophy – Tinker with your thinker

Do you S-P-E-L-L  O-U-T  W-O-R-D-S in front of your kids to purposefully prevent them from understanding what you are talking about?  I’m not talking about spelling out concepts that are inappropriate for the kids to overhear – that’s good parenting. I’m talking about...

The first recorded evidence of adoption is in antiquity, yet there has been more change in the world of adoption over just these past five decades than in all of previous history.  These changes follow broader societal trends of greater freedom of information, more...

Bedtime often is a stressful, hectic time, and if you need help managing Junior’s sleep, refer to the section in Chapter 4 entitled “Sleep: Good Night.”  Once you get the bedtime routine under control, you are liberated and can use tucking-in as a time to help your...

Sure it’s an unpleasant topic, and of course, we can’t control the world from the grave, but having a will is an important legal document not only for leaving assets to loved ones, but also for naming a guardian for children, and naming somebody to manage any asset...

Do you consider yourself well-rounded, accomplished in many areas, and a Renaissance Person?  Or do you consider yourself an “expert” in one or two particular areas?  Do you do your own laundry, prepare your own tax return, work in a job outside the home, parent, jog,...

Due to economic and social factors, couples are waiting longer and longer to have their first child.  As a result, there has been a decrease in “birth spacing” (i.e., years between siblings).  What is the “optimal” amount of time between siblings?  One year?  Two...

There is evidence that babies have used some version of a pacifier for “non-nutritive sucking” since 1,000 B.C. Also, “non-nutritive sucking” begins in the womb and is clearly a part of normal development. Regarding the pacifier, the American Academy of Pediatricians...

The United Nations has created eight “Millennium Development Goals,” to be achieved by the year 2015.  One of these goals is Universal Primary Education, “to ensure that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike will be able to complete...

Definitions of “fair” vary.  To be “fair” can mean being free of bias, injustice, or deceit.  “Fair” can mean moderate conditions or quantities (e.g., fair weather, fair health, a fair income). Most children, though, use the word “fair” in two ways. First, children...

Try to guess the best predictor of success for those who engage in therapy with a psychologist. Is it a patient factor, like the patient’s age, intelligence, or diagnosis?  Is it a psychologist factor, like the psychologist’s education, experience, or compassion?  Is...