carolyn

carolyn | my daughter won’t eat in her high chair, help!

February 7, 2010

Several months we moved into a new home. Throughout the chaos, we found ourselves having “picnics” on the floor for a week or so until our dining room table arrived. Ever since then, my daughter refuses to eat in a high chair, booster seat, etc. I find that I’m somewhat successful in getting her to [...]

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carolyn | when your kids say they don’t like you

February 1, 2010

“I don’t like you” is a common refrain of the three-year-old, quickly replaced at four by “you’re not my friend” and “you’re not coming to my birthday party.” Preschoolers, who are just beginning to engage in reciprocal relationships, wield this power over their peers and attempt to wield it over their parents. Don’t take it [...]

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carolyn | my oldest son is regressing, help!

January 24, 2010

My three year old was doing really well with his new baby brother up until the last month. He was almost potty trained. He always did no. 2 in the potty and always stayed dry at school. He also was so nice at sharing toys. Now he doesn’t want his little brother to touch his [...]

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carolyn gatzke | agressive behaviors

January 10, 2010

When my child doesn’t get his way, sometimes he will strike out at me, either kicking me or hitting me, and/or using angry words (”If you don’t let me do XYZ, I won’t ABC!!”). I try to stay calm and explain that I won’t let him hurt me, but I would love some suggestions on [...]

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carolyn | gift giving frenzy and the forgotten thank you

December 7, 2009

by Carolyn Gatzke on December 4th, 2009 | Originally posted on EngageToday.com How do you prepare/handle a three-year-old for mass gift opening–while teaching them to be thankful. For example, the rip open a bag/gift to find the cutest outfit. They, however, throw it to the side. In my ideal world they would finish unwrapping the [...]

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carolyn | is it safe for by baby to sleep with his blankie?

October 26, 2009

My son is 5 1/2 months old. When is it safe to give my baby a lovey in his crib at night? I have a small blankie about 1 foot square. Would love to get him hooked on it now. He rolls over without help. Thanks!! When your child needs a “lovey” he will make [...]

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carolyn | is naptime a nightmare?

October 19, 2009

My almost 3 year old has never napped for me. He napped for his childcare provider 3 days a week but after I was let go from my job 8 months ago…he had to stop going there. He won’t nap but come 4pm he is miserable. He can sometimes fall asleep on the couch or [...]

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carolyn | bite-size dilemma

October 5, 2009

We’ve a 2 year old that can swim and climb more proficiently than most 5 year olds……good kid and energy. But he bites other kids in all my mom play-groups; not sure where he learned it?? (His dad has ADD and OCD pretty well documented….??) It is so embarrassing and we’ve been black-balled from some [...]

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carolyn q & a | bedtime for two

September 28, 2009

Having trouble with my almost 3 year old at night when I want to be putting my 4 month old to bed. He doesn’t seem to understand I need to breastfeed and give some quiet time to his little brother. Dad has never felt confident about helping at night time. Part of the problem. I [...]

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carolyn | frontloading

September 6, 2009

We all like a surprise every now and then, and we are all sometimes forced to deal with a disruption, but generally it’s nice to know what to expect each day. Adults have the ability to plan and infer, children, mostly, have to go along for the ride. If you want a smoother trip, you need to frontload your [...]

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carolyn | if children are going to use their words, they must be given words to use

August 30, 2009

Everyone with children knows, kids cry. A lot. It can’t be avoided. It’s developmental. Before they can talk they cry, and after they have words they cry. They cry when they are sad, frustrated, angry, and tired. Sometimes their crying escalates to full-blown, lay on the floor, red-in-the-face tantrums. Kids are rarely inhibited by onlookers [...]

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hhm contributor carolyn | know your because

August 17, 2009

It will be only moments into parenthood or pregnancy, for that matter, when you will be faced with an interminable string of questions from friends and family (and sometimes even strangers) about your earliest parenting decisions; birthing, naming, feeding, sleeping. Just when you think you’ve answered them all a whole new crop will come along. [...]

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hhm contributor | parenting expert, carolyn gatzke

August 10, 2009

We at Happy Hour Mom are thrilled to introduce our new contributor and expert, Carolyn Gatzke. With hopes of becoming your go-to source for parenting needs, Carolyn is highly qualified with “a Master’s Degree in Human Development, a thriving parent coaching practice, and years of experience working with children and families in multiple settings.” You really [...]

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parenting expert | carolyn

August 9, 2009

I am so excited to be writing a parenting column for Happy Hour Mom and hope to earn a place as one of your go-to parenting sources. Before I start dispensing advice, let me tell you a little a bit about me. I have a Master’s Degree in Human Development, a thriving parent coaching practice, [...]

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