Author Archives: katepflynn

Consistency is the key to good parenting. I once found that my family doctor wrote on my child’s chart “mother has unrealistic expectations of what toddlers can do.” The way I spoke to my children differed from what his own … Continue reading →

Babies and children need a safe space. This means a “no-free zone” where they come to predict what will be there and what they will do. Security, not novelty, is what they really need. They also need cognitively challenging (appropriate … Continue reading →

Babies need safe, reliable attachment. Babies and their carers co-determine their attachment in each moment they are together throughout the day. Babies communicate to us. Sometimes we think we know what babies need but how do we know? By observing! … Continue reading →

When a child cries and we try to distract him or, even worse, “plug” him with a pacifier, bottle or breast, we are telling him “Don’t feel uncomfortable. Your real feelings will not be acknowledged but will be suppressed or … Continue reading →

American Lie-Down Car Seat European Car Seat for Laying Baby Flat English Style Pram Buggy Wool Diaper Covers Michael Olaf – Montessori materials & Philosophy Giant Construction Kits (for Open Cubes) Plan Toys Viking Toys International Playthings Rhino Toys

In the old days, before children, I used to love taking classes at the Newberry Library in Chicago (okay let’s face it, there aren’t many places I don’t like taking classes at). There is one class there I will never … Continue reading →

A great article from blogger Janet Lansbury which can be found here: http://www.janetlansbury.com/2012/09/respectful-parenting-is-not-passive-parenting/ There are two extreme approaches to discipline that do not serve a toddler’s needs. One is overly strict, punitive and non-empathetic. It involves maintaining control of the … Continue reading →