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When My Child Hits: Gentle Strategies for Ages 2–6
It’s common—and totally normal—for children ages 2–6 to hit when emotions run high. Dr. Dave Schramm walks parents through five thoughtful steps: see the situation from your child’s perspective, prevent triggers, act without shaming, help them calm down, and gently teach kindness. With grace and good boundaries, even tough moments become opportunities for connection and growth.
Consider this, how we respond rather than react will make all the difference.
1. Look at things from your child’s point of view and remember that it’s a process to learn better behaviors;
2. Prevent problems when possible;
3. Take action without insult;
4. Help your child calm down and feel safe; and
5. Teach and show your child how to be kind.
7 Simple Ways To Build Connection With Your Spouse
Did you know 93% of communication is nonverbal? In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm shares seven easy ways to build connection with your spouse—like using the 10–5 smile rule, offering genuine appreciation, calling them by name, and practicing intentional listening. Rooted in his Safety–Satisfaction–Connection framework, these practical tips invite more warmth, understanding, and closeness into everyday marriage life.
The Power of Play for Kids Ages 2–6: Simple Ways to Connect and Grow
Even a few minutes of play with your child can be transformative. In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm shares quick, heart-building ideas—like making time to play undistracted, inviting your child to help with small tasks, and suggesting fun, shared activities. These moments foster connection, teach social skills, and lay the foundation for meaningful relationships.
Using the Parenting Pyramid: Build Connection Before Teaching & Correction
Rather than defaulting to discipline, the Parenting Pyramid encourages us to ask: 'How can I help things go right?' Dr. Dave Schramm explains how effective parenting builds from the bottom up—starting with personal well-being, through couple and parent–child connection, then teaching, and finally correction. When our relationships and teaching are strong, correction becomes a natural extension, not the centerpiece.
How to Talk to Teens About Suicide & Mental Health: 4 Actions Educators Can Take
Suicide touches us all—and those in schools can be the first to notice. Dr. Dave Schramm outlines four vital steps: ask directly about suicide, recognize warning signs like sudden emotional shifts, share accessible resources for support, and remember that even one caring conversation can save a life. Educators truly can make a difference.
Potty Training Tips for Kids Ages 2–6: Gentle, Effective Strategies for Parents
Potty training is a major milestone—and it doesn’t have to be stressful. In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm offers gentle, practical tips for kids ages 2–6: look for readiness signs, establish a positive potty routine, use encouraging language, and celebrate small wins. With empathy and consistency, you can guide your child toward independence and make the journey smoother for both of you.
Mirroring Children’s Emotions: How Emotional Reflection Builds Connection and Calm
When your child is overwhelmed by emotions, logic won’t help. In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm explains how ‘holding up an emotional mirror’—reflecting back what your child is feeling—validates their experience and soothes their nervous system. Backed by expert insights from Gottman and others, he shows how empathy and emotional labeling become the foundation for connection, calm, and emotional intelligence.
Suicide Warning Signs & Risk Factors: What Educators and Parents Must Know
About 80% of students show clear warning signs before a suicide attempt, and nearly 90% have identifiable risk factors like depression or substance challenges. In this critical post, Dr. Dave Schramm emphasizes how educators and parents can spot persistent behavioral changes—such as withdrawal, mood shifts, or academic decline—and take safe, trust-building steps to listen, connect, and act. Because noticing and asking, 'Are you OK?' can save a life.
Establishing Rules for Kids Ages 2–6: Kind, Consistent & Effective Parenting
One of the most frustrating parenting challenges? Making rules that no one seems to follow. In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm shows how simple clarity, consistency, and gentle follow-through can make all the difference: prioritize a few essential rules, enforce them with kindness, and keep the big picture in mind. Over time, these steps build trust, cooperation, and lasting connection.
Suicide Prevention Stats & Facts: Key Numbers You Need to Know
Suicide remains a significant public health crisis—but knowledge can be a powerful tool. In this post, Dr. Dave reveals critical suicide prevention statistics: over 49,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023 (one every 11 minutes), 1.5 million attempted it, and rates have risen nearly 37% since 2000. These facts underscore the urgency—and hope—in prevention efforts.
Times of Trauma: Practical Ways to Cope When Life Feels Overwhelming
Trauma and stress—whether due to pandemic pressures, financial struggles, or emotional crisis—can overwhelm anyone. In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm breaks down three types of stress (positive, tolerable, toxic) and shares how resilience is possible through nurturing environments, supportive relationships, and mindful, strength-based practices. Discover how small, intentional actions can help you or your child not just survive—but flourish.
Suicide Prevention: Choose to Be One Who Lived — A Story of Hope and Resilience
On October 30, 2010, Josh Smith made a suicide attempt by jumping off a bridge—but survived. Today, he’s a psychologist, father, and mental health advocate who openly manages ongoing struggles. Dr. Dave Schramm shares Josh’s extraordinary journey as a message of resilience and hope—encouraging us all to “choose to be one who lived” and reminding everyone that help and healing are possible.
Navigating the ‘No’ Phase: Gentle Parenting Strategies for Ages 2–6
Frustrated by toddler “no” after “no”? In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm reframes this resistance as a bid for independence, not defiance. He offers empathetic strategies—like validating feelings, offering safe choices (“Carrots or grapes?”), and engaging playful problem-solving—to preserve connection while guiding behavior. With patience and creativity, the “tug-of-war” can become a bridge to cooperation, not conflict.
Surviving the ‘My Way’ Phase: Nurturing Independence in Kids Ages 2–6
Around age two, toddlers begin asserting autonomy with phrases like ‘I can do it myself!’ While this growing independence can feel exhausting for parents, it’s a sign of healthy development. Dr. Dave Schramm offers practical tips to support your child’s self-expression while maintaining connection—making this bold, boundary-testing phase a chance to strengthen trust and confidence.
Helping Children Ages 2–6 Overcome Fear: Empathy-Driven Strategies That Work
All children experience fear—and it's completely normal. In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm provides compassionate, age-appropriate guidance: see the world through your child’s eyes, listen without judgment, help them feel safe, and offer creative coping tools like a gentle “monster spray” or playful visualization. These nurturing responses help children manage their emotions and build confidence.
Parents, Let’s Talk About Suicide: How to Open the Conversation & Support Your Child
Nearly 90% of young people who die by suicide have treatable mental illnesses. In this crucial post, Dr. Dave Schramm urges parents to ask directly and compassionately: “Have you been having thoughts about wanting to die or killing yourself?” Backed by powerful data, he shares practical, empathetic steps to foster openness, detect distress early, and act—because listening can be life-saving.
Parenting the Crying Toddler: Calm Strategies for Ages 2–6
Babies crying a lot can feel overwhelming—but it's totally normal. In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm reassures parents that crying is your child's way of asking for help, not a sign of failure. He shares practical, compassionate tips—from comforting techniques to simple troubleshooting—that nurture secure attachment and calm the chaos in early parenting.
Adopt a Positive Mindset: Simple, Science-Backed Strategies for Thriving Relationships & Success
Feeling positive can make your brain up to 31% more productive. In this post, Dr. Dave Schramm reveals science-backed tips to build an upward spiral of positivity—broadening your perspective, boosting resilience, and strengthening your connections. Learn how noticing and nurturing everyday joy can transform the way you think, relate, and thrive.
Helping Babies Learn to Talk: 5 Key Ways to Support Cooing & Babbling | Part 1
Babies aren’t just making cute noises—they’re actively trying to talk. Dr. Dave shares five simple yet powerful ways to support your baby’s early communication—like making eye contact, turning distractions down, and engaging in gentle back-and-forth cooing. These little interactions send rich signals in your child’s developing brain and lay the foundation for lifelong connection and language development.
Enjoying Life with Young Children: 3 Simple Tips to Connect & Thrive
In this uplifting post, Dr. Dave Schramm reminds parents that time truly is love—especially with young children. He outlines three practical tips to help young families thrive: organize your life around your child, learn together, and celebrate each small step. With a reminder to unplug and engage fully, this post invites parents to cherish the everyday joys that shape childhood