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Playful Parenting

Connecting through play and emotional understanding

Parenting
When Your Child Says No-Good, Terrible, Scary Things

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on May 12, 2024

Has your child ever shocked you with "I'm going to kill you" or "I wish I was dead"? Don't panic or demand they speak nicely. Respond to the emotion they are trying to articulate.

Has your child ever shocked you with "I'm going to kill you" or "I wish I was dead"? Don't panic or demand they speak nicely. Respond to the emotion they are trying to articulate.

Parenting
When Parents Don't Feel Like Playing

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on March 31, 2024

Parents often feel like they should play with their kids, even when they are sad, worried, or tired. But "shoulds" don't make us more playful.

Parents often feel like they should play with their kids, even when they are sad, worried, or tired. But "shoulds" don't make us more playful.

Parenting
Imaginary Friends for Grown-Ups

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on February 9, 2024

Have you ever felt you could use more support as a parent, but the people around you are unavailable? We can access imaginary supporters who can give real support.

Have you ever felt you could use more support as a parent, but the people around you are unavailable? We can access imaginary supporters who can give real support.

Parenting
Small Problems, Big Feelings

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on December 6, 2023

When we understand why children have giant feelings about tiny problems, we can have more empathy and understanding.

When we understand why children have giant feelings about tiny problems, we can have more empathy and understanding.

Empathy
The Paradox of Empathy

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on October 14, 2023

What do you do when your child is overwhelmed with a painful emotion? Here are some tips to resolve the empathy paradox.

What do you do when your child is overwhelmed with a painful emotion? Here are some tips to resolve the empathy paradox.

Creativity
5 Free Toys For Your Kids

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on May 13, 2023

The best toys for brain development, creativity, and problem-solving are everyday objects such as pillows, blankets, nature, and the contents of your junk drawer.

The best toys for brain development, creativity, and problem-solving are everyday objects such as pillows, blankets, nature, and the contents of your junk drawer.

Cognition
Tears Are Words

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on April 26, 2023

Do you feel helpless when your child cries or has a tantrum? Shift your perspective to learning children's emotional language.

Do you feel helpless when your child cries or has a tantrum? Shift your perspective to learning children's emotional language.

Parenting
Don’t Trick Your Kids

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on April 5, 2023

Do you enjoy parenting hacks, where parents trick their children to avoid tantrums and meltdowns? There may be some aspects of this that you haven't considered.

Do you enjoy parenting hacks, where parents trick their children to avoid tantrums and meltdowns? There may be some aspects of this that you haven't considered.

Confidence
Larry’s Rules of Roughhousing

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on March 19, 2023

Based on the new book "Unplug and Play," here are 10 tips for making parent-child roughhousing a fun and safe part of a family's routine.

Based on the new book "Unplug and Play," here are 10 tips for making parent-child roughhousing a fun and safe part of a family's routine.

Grief
The Road to Deep Emotional Connection With Yourself

Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D. on March 6, 2023

Emotional connection in adulthood means acknowledging and accepting all of our emotions, examining intergenerational patterns, and giving ourselves a gentle push.

Emotional connection in adulthood means acknowledging and accepting all of our emotions, examining intergenerational patterns, and giving ourselves a gentle push.