Author – The Durango Herald

To stop summer brain drain, set fun learning goals

Q: What is your perspective on having kids do “homework” over the summer? My two kids (finishing fourth and second grades) both love to read and are above grade-level readers, so I am no...

DATE: Jun 20, 2018 | CATEGORY: Education

For teachers facing abrasive moms and dads, a lesson in tact

Q: I am a teacher who has parent-teacher conferences with my ninth-graders and their parents. Frequently, these meetings turn into the parent berating the child in front of me, with me w...

DATE: Mar 31, 2018 | CATEGORY: Education

Mom fed up with son's foul mouth

Q: My almost-6-year-old son has recently started learning that certain words and phrases are not nice and has, of course, been using them repeatedly. His favorites are “You are stupid” and “...

DATE: Mar 15, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

What’s a parent to do when a child lies?

Q: My 6-year-old daughter lies a lot. She has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and a pretty intense personality, so she pushes buttons and gets in trouble a lot. She will often deny ...

DATE: Mar 1, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

A big brother becomes defiant

Q: Over the past several months, I’ve noticed my 6-year-old-son saying things such as “I’m the worst” at something or “You don’t love me.” His sister was born in September, and he adores her...

DATE: Feb 19, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

There's no one-size-?ts-all for raising kids

Q: I read and love a lot of (author and parent educator) Janet Lansbury’s stuff. I use her words to guide my interactions with my 21-month-old, to much success. However, I really struggle to...

DATE: Feb 16, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

If a child is uncooperative, cultivate a strong connection

Parenting coach and columnist Meghan Leahy answered questions recently in an online chat. Here is an edited excerpt. Q: My 3-year-old has been so incredibly difficult recently. Ev...

DATE: Feb 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

A nightmarish bedtime routine

Q: My two girls, ages 3 and nearly 7, share a room but will not go to sleep unless each has a parent by her side until she passes out. Anything less, and it’s complete waterworks and screami...

DATE: Feb 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

Parenting: Two clingy kids won't let Mom be

Q. I have a wonderful relationship with my two daughters, ages 3 and 6. We give each other hugs and kisses and spend plenty of time with each other. I enjoy our relationship but often find m...

DATE: Jan 21, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

'Should we let her fail?' might be the wrong question

Q: How can I help my seventh-grader be more responsible about her schoolwork? She is struggling in school but doesn’t help herself by seeking out what she needs to know, and low grades don’t...

DATE: Jan 14, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

Don't try to socialize your shy 3-year old

Q: My 3-year-old is somewhat shy and introverted. She socializes well enough at preschool, but on the weekends she just wants to hang out with family. As an introverted person myself, I’m fi...

DATE: Jan 9, 2016 | CATEGORY: Family

Connecting with the uncooperative child

Q: I have an 8-year-old girl who loves to turn on the passive aggression when she doesn’t get what she wants. It usually occurs when we need to go somewhere, often walking to school with her...

DATE: Dec 25, 2015 | CATEGORY: Family