Toddler Development – Mindful Motherhood Blog

When Can You Tell if Your Child is Spirited?

Kirsten Russell
November 2, 2023
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I get this question all the time, so I thought I would share our story and first “ah ha” moment we had when we realized our son had “more” personality. My craving to learn about spirited kids, kids who…

Child Development Resources Toddler Development

Creative Strategies to Foster Responsibility and Teamwork at Home

Kirsten Russell
October 27, 2023
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I’ve been parenting alone while Matthew is traveling all week for work. This week, I’ve had to ask my older two boys to step up and help me more. It hasn’t been going well…it almost felt foreign to them…

Child Development Toddler Development

Delaying Kindergarten: An educator and mom perspective

Kirsten Russell
January 25, 2023
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If you google “delaying kindergarten”, you will find polarized opinions as well as polarized research backing both sides. Some argue that an extra year is a “gift of time” and other argue that an extra year is a “theft of opportunity”.

Child Development Resources Toddler Development

My Son Has a Superpower: ADHD Parenting Q+A

Kirsten Russell
November 5, 2021
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Many ADHD symptoms, such as high activity levels, difficulty remaining still for long periods of time and limited attention spans, are common to young children in general. The difference in children with ADHD is that their hyperactivity and inattention are…

Child Development Mindful Motherhood Toddler Development

What is Mindful Parenting?

Kirsten Russell
November 8, 2020
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Mindful parenting is counter-intuitive to traditional styles of parenting. It's researched backed and proved over and over, based on how children learn best. Mindful parenting is NOT permissive parenting. Have you ever thought the parenting philosophies that focus on respect,…

Toddler Development

How to Adjust to a New Sibling

Kirsten Russell
October 5, 2020
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Here are 5 simple tips you can implement TODAY to help your older child adjust to a new sibling. Jackson was a few days old and I was holding him in bed. Connor ran into our room, and as he…

Toddler Development

Bringing Home Second Baby: What I Want You to Know.

Kirsten Russell
September 29, 2020
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Read the following excerpt before bringing home your second baby: "Imagine your husband bringing home another women, but she is younger and sweeter and everyone you knew thought it was the best idea ever AND brought her presents!" This is…

Mother holding baby, bringing home baby number two

Child Development Toddler Development

Clingy Child Tips

Kirsten Russell
September 25, 2020
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Do you feel as if you have zero personal space? Does making dinner often look like having one child attached to your leg while the other is crying for you to come play? If you feel as if your child…

Child Development Mindful Motherhood Toddler Development Uncategorized

Should Children Share?

Kirsten Russell
April 29, 2020
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How important is sharing? Should children share? Let's rethink how we view sharing: The sparkling new firetruck toy with water launchers is sitting in the middle of the room. Jackson, our 1.5 year old runs to it. His older brother,…