So what happened to my New Year’s resolution? This was going to be the year that I slowed down my entire life.

Every parent-child relationship can be strengthened. Every parent-child relationship hits snags, low-points, and negative patches. This article describes an exercise called The Bread and Butter Technique, a proven strategy to use for everyday interactions and for challenging times.

Whether it is a short trip or a long trip, traveling away from your child can be challenging to both you and your child.

Children have got it right. Tears-whether during a tantrum or with disappointment over no dessert or when a fire engine gets taken from them-are freeing. They help release all that feeling. They help wash the slate clean. After the tears we can start anew.

Raising a family is so daily that we feel like a hamster on a treadmill going nowhere. Sometimes our children don't seem to be maturing and our parenting struggles seem same-old same-old. The Negative/Positive List Exercise can be helpful in providing perspective on the progress that you and your child are making this year.

Everyone gets angry at times. Parents raising young children experience challenging and frustrating times every day that can lead to anger. Feeling angry at your child can be uncomfortable and may occur more often than you want. When you learn to control your inner thought process you can center and self-soothe and feel better about your child and yourself. A calm parent is an important model for a young child who is trying to gain impulse control over their own emotions and actions.

This is a good time to reflect on the past year and think of the most enriching, fulfilling, connecting, joyful family times