When we require our kids to say the obligatory words, "I'm sorry" without actually meaning them, we teach them that words alone can let them off the hook and they don't have to genuinely feel empathy for whoever they have wronged.

Children become resilient by living through loss and disappointment. Help your little boy use his words to express upset while providing him the opportunity to get his feelings out.

Your daughter's moods will even out, your hormones will stabilize and you will get through this rough patch.

There's nothing quite as refreshing as a great night's sleep to help us recover from our day and restore our energy. When children have trouble sleeping, it impacts not only their sleep (and mood), but their weary parents'.

Children make messes. They move from one activity or outfit to another, rarely considering that by returning whatever they were playing with or wearing to its shelf or drawer, they could easily keep their rooms clean. "Later" becomes their motto.

Kids so deeply long for real connection with their parents. As tempting as it is to think they want the cool stuff, what they truly want is... us.

Children live in the moment. They are largely motivated by either avoiding pain or experiencing pleasure. This is why telling kids that too much sugar will give them cavities has little impact on their decision to swipe that handful of brownies; the enjoyment outweighs later costs.

"My 15-year old son just told me that he tried marijuana a few weeks ago with his buddies. I don't know if I should punish him or if doing so will only make him become dishonest. He said he didn't like it, but I'm not sure I believe him."

When you fell in love with your husband, I am sure you had great hopes of creating a happy family that included both of your children, but as you are discovering, blending a family is often easier said than done.

Establish guidelines for what is and isn't acceptable, stay connected and above all, don't take your daughter's behavior personally.

My daughter has started hitting me when she doesn't get what she wants. She is 6 years old and is strong. She has really hurt me a few times now. I don't know what to do. What can I do?

In the absence of siblings, it is easy for only children to depend on their parents for companionship.

I can't get my children to listen. No matter how many times I repeat something, they tune me out. Is there some secret to getting my kids to do what I ask without nagging?

Every morning, my 12-year old daughter has a fit when it comes to getting dressed. By the time I drop her off at school, we're either yelling at each other or not speaking. I'm not willing to buy her a new outfit every week. What should I do?

With a little organization and communication, you can save money, make your life more pleasant, and strengthen your family as a team. Here are seven steps that can help.

Someone once coined the term "Imaginary Audience Syndrome" to aptly sum up the experience of a typical middle-schooler as he moves through his day, certain of being constantly evaluated by his peers about everything from the way he laughs to the color of his shoelaces.

Left to their own devices -- and not those electronic ones -- your children will find ways to occupy themselves while you catch your breath at the end of a long day.

All the medals in the world can't offer relief to a heart burdened by deceit. Use Lance Armstrong's story to initiate age-appropriate discussions with your children about what winning really means: trying your best, staying true to your values and honoring those who believe in you.

Children are not miniature adults. The more we align our expectations with who they are, the less we will add our frustration to the mix.

Mostly sweet and sensitive, socially awkward kids quietly inhabit the fringes of our world. If they're lucky, they have one similarly-afflicted friend; someone to take the edge off the loneliness.

What better way to start anew than creating a Family Mission Statement that defines what your family stands for and describes your collective intentions for the coming year?

It's natural that the mother lion in you roars when someone hurts one of your children, even if the offender is another one of your kids. But unless you address the underlying cause of your son's torments, things aren't likely to improve.

Heartbroken parents across the country are reeling in the aftermath of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, making it seem impossible to establish a sense of calm in this storm. Still, children need parents who feel solid and sure. Here are some tips for managing your anxiety.

We are all reeling today in the aftermath of the school shootings in Connecticut. It is impossible to imagine the impact on the families who lost children, those whose children were spared but so profoundly traumatized and the rest of us who bear witness from afar to the unthinkable.