tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11355355264729391342026-10-07T05:48:57.706-04:00Bill CorbettWords of wisdom and advice from behavior expert, author, and professional speaker, Bill CorbettBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-54195186326570970062026-09-13T11:58:05.465-04:002026-09-13T11:58:05.466-04:00Why Do We Celebrate Halloween? A Kid-Friendly Look at the Holiday Plus FREE PrintablesEvery October, our neighborhoods suddenly fill with pumpkins, ghosts, witches, skeletons, costumes, and bowls overflowing with candy. Children happily dress as everything from superheroes to friendly ghosts and head into the darkness in search of treats.But have your children ever asked you why we celebrate Halloween in the first place?The answer goes back a very long way.Halloween has roots Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-28144910245241566742026-09-07T11:52:47.613-04:002026-09-07T11:52:47.613-04:00I Wrote a Psychological Thriller. Yes, You’re on the Right Blog. If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you may have just done a double take. The Ovulation Murders? On a parenting blog? Yes. You’re in the right place.Since 2010, I’ve been writing about parenting, children, behavior, cooperation, discipline, communication, and the sometimes-messy business of raising human beings. I’ve taught parenting classes, coached parents, Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-63751713433260320332026-09-01T12:18:20.883-04:002026-09-01T12:18:20.883-04:00My Child Wants a Snake, but I Don't Like ThemWhat do you do when your child suddenly becomes fascinated with snakes, reptiles, or other creatures that make you uncomfortable?In my podcast Creating Cooperative Kids (click this title to listen to the audio podcast), I sit down with environmental educator and author Nancy Hopkins, better known as The Snake Lady, to discuss how parents can respond when their child's curiosity clashes with theirBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-20366546347503208092026-08-24T20:25:29.044-04:002026-09-01T12:20:24.376-04:00Teaching Children to Wash Their Hands: The How and the Why “Did you wash your hands?”“Yes!”“With soap?”Silence.If you’re a parent, you may know this conversation all too well.Teaching children to wash their hands sounds like one of the simplest parenting tasks imaginable. Turn on the water, add some soap, scrub, rinse, and dry.But there’s a big difference between knowing how to wash your hands and developing the habit of doing it without being Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-91169206387570749792026-08-17T23:54:05.801-04:002026-08-24T20:25:52.897-04:00Why Sharing an Activity With a Child MattersChildren may not always remember the toys they received or the television programs they watched, but they often remember the moments when an adult chose to sit beside them and enter their world.A shared activity—coloring a picture, completing a puzzle, baking cookies, planting flowers, or building something together—communicates a powerful message:You are important to me. I enjoy being with Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-80819660278481031782026-08-12T10:59:43.376-04:002026-08-24T20:26:12.938-04:00When You’re Trying to Be the Parent You Never HadWhy firm, respectful parenting can feel lonely—and why it is worth continuingSometimes the hardest part of parenting differently is not managing your child’s behavior.It is managing the opinions of everyone watching you.You decide not to give your child unlimited access to a phone, tablet, video game, or social-media account simply because “all the other kids have one.” You allow your child to Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-35269170499917588872026-06-27T15:58:16.567-04:002026-09-01T12:22:55.893-04:00Why I Built Cooperative KidsOur jobs demanded long hours. Highway construction stretched our commute. Yard work never seemed to end. Weekends felt more exhausting than restorative. And inside our home, our three school-aged and preteen children seemed to be fighting more and cooperating less.Get the book that provides many answers.When we compared notes with other parents in casual conversations, we realized we weren’t Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-72829442139694454982026-06-17T12:53:52.151-04:002026-09-01T12:23:10.602-04:00Love, Limits & Lessons: The Parent Toolbox is HerePractical Tools for Raising Cooperative and Independent Kidshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5Q2S84NWhat if the secret to better behavior wasn't more punishment, more lectures, or more frustration? If you've been reading and enjoying this blog, then you'll love the new book.What if raising cooperative, responsible, and independent children came down to having the right tools?In Love, Limits & Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-19915111015397835732026-06-15T09:47:06.751-04:002026-09-01T12:25:21.296-04:00The Three Most Powerful Phrases a Parent Can SayMany parents assume their primary job
is to provide answers. Children ask questions. Parents give answers.
Simple enough.
But what if some of the most important
moments in a child's development happen when we resist the urge to answer? Children
are constantly trying to make sense of their world. They are organizing
thoughts, processing experiences, exploring emotions, and building confidence
inBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-15353326373377622502026-06-04T09:14:26.519-04:002026-06-04T09:14:26.519-04:00Are We Raising Children Who Need Approval? A child proudly brings home a drawing from school. Many parents immediately respond with enthusiastic praise:"That's beautiful!""You're such a great artist!""Wow! You're amazing!"The intention is loving. Most parents simply want their child to feel good about themselves. But what if there's a better response?The Hidden Problem with Constant PraiseWhen children repeatedly hear evaluations Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-90897519767577377002026-05-23T23:35:19.488-04:002026-09-01T12:27:40.080-04:00The Parenting (or Teacher) Phrase That Reduces Power StrugglesMany parenting struggles don’t begin with what we say. They begin with how children hear it.
The word no is sometimes necessary, of course. But when children hear it repeatedly throughout the day, it can start to feel less like guidance and more like opposition. Some children immediately push back. Others argue. Some melt down emotionally. And many simply stop listening altogether.
That’s why oneBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-72022684687357756562026-05-17T17:40:19.981-04:002026-05-17T17:40:19.982-04:00“I’m Not Ready”: A Simple Parenting Phrase That Changes Everything A young child stands at the edge of the driveway holding her bicycle.She points toward the sidewalk and says confidently,“I can do it!”But inside, you hesitate.Maybe she’s in kindergarten.Maybe she still gets distracted easily.Maybe the street nearby feels too risky.Maybe your instincts simply say, “Not yet.”Many parents respond automatically with: “No.”And while that word may stop theBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-71227926440953124632026-05-02T13:17:00.000-04:002026-05-02T13:17:12.682-04:00The Love Your Child Remembers Most Isn’t LoudWe tend to think of love in big moments.
Birthdays. Holidays. Celebrations.
The kind of days that get circled on the calendar.
But the truth is, children don’t build their sense of being loved from those moments alone.
They build it quietly.
In the way you sit beside them when they’re working through something.
In the way you listen when they talk about something small that feels big to them.
In Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-57954249042256380102026-05-02T12:39:00.002-04:002026-05-02T12:53:20.796-04:00 Raising Resilient Kids Starts with How You Respond TodayEvery parent wants to raise a child who is confident, kind, and capable of navigating life’s ups and downs. Yet in the heat of daily challenges—from toddler meltdowns to preteen resistance—reactive discipline can take over. Positive parenting offers a proven alternative: a proactive, connection-based approach that builds emotional intelligence from the ground up. Far more than a set of techniquesBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-2313992111683975772025-11-03T12:00:00.001-05:002025-11-03T12:00:19.183-05:00Why Gratitude Matters and How to Instill it in ChildrenMany parents and teachers strive to teach children to explore with their hands, hearts, and minds, to notice, reflect, and find joy in meaningful moments. Christmas offers the perfect opportunity to extend that philosophy beyond the classroom and into the realm of gratitude.Why Gratitude MattersGratitude helps children recognize abundance, not in things, but in relationships, experiences, and Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-7634644174597015702025-10-21T15:45:00.003-04:002025-10-22T15:08:54.376-04:00The Fun Way of Getting Kids to Pick Up Their Toys Without Nagging AKA: The Secret Loving Hand Technique
Every parent knows the pain of stepping on a Lego at two in the morning — that sharp, unforgettable reminder that the kids didn’t clean up again. We’ve all been there, asking (or begging) our children to put their toys away, only to find the same mess waiting later.
But what if there were a calmer, more loving way to teach kids responsibility — oneBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-2667601729150620062025-10-15T14:31:00.005-04:002025-10-17T09:36:29.648-04:00Six Laws about ChildrenSix Laws about Kids That Parents Need to Accept
Much of the frustration we experience with our
children’s behavior is caused by a lack of understanding kids. Expanding our thinking about our children and
accepting some basic, rudimentary facts will help us change the way we see
their behavior and also change our behavior as a parent. We will be much more successful as caregivers
if Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-12624621873530480352025-10-08T12:16:00.003-04:002025-10-21T22:01:49.537-04:00What I Loved About the RCB Parenting CourseThere are really good parent education programs, and then there are some with good intentions but containing misguided information. I have personally attended many myself or obtained the instructor's manual from others. Having authored my own, the Love, Limits & Lessons parenting course and instructor training course, I don't hold back on offering my opinion.This brings me to one of the firstBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-5961359288826398512025-10-01T20:56:00.002-04:002025-10-01T20:59:51.496-04:00Passing Notes of Love: The Family Tradition Every Home NeedsLove Notes Between Parents and Kids: A Simple Practice That Transforms FamiliesIn the rush of daily life, parents often find themselves scrambling to meet deadlines, manage schedules, and simply keep the household running. But amid the chaos, there lies an opportunity to create something deeply meaningful: a practice of writing love notes between parents and children. This small but powerful Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-53943504499219435062025-09-27T08:30:00.004-04:002025-09-28T18:57:16.130-04:00End the Begging: The Wish Book Solution Every Parent NeedsIf you’re a parent, you’ve probably heard it more times than you can count: ============================= LISTEN TO THE PODCAST =============================
“Mom, can I get this?”
“Dad, I need that toy!”
“Can we pleeeease go to the store?”
Whether it’s a commercial on TV, a shiny new toy their friend just got, or an ad that pops up on your phone, Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-45979574224420471352025-09-24T17:46:00.002-04:002025-09-24T19:28:07.954-04:007 Things Every Child of Divorce Needs NOWPARENTS WHO LISTEN MORE AND SPEAK LESS. A child's emotions, thoughts, and behavior may be unstable during this difficult time. They need to be able to express how they feel without their emotions being stuffed. Some of the things they say may be difficult for the parent to hear, so don't dismiss or minimize what is said or how they feel.REGULAR ACCESS TO GRANDPARENTS. Relationships with your Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-89639546082409743052025-09-23T11:09:00.005-04:002025-10-21T22:09:56.648-04:00You Lost Your Cool in Front of Your Child - Now What?Even the most patient parent has moments they regret, such as the checkout meltdown, the raised voice in the car, or the hasty words that sting more than intended. What you do after those moments matters as much (if not more) than what happened in the heat of it. Children are resilient, but they need guidance to process what they have just witnessed and to learn how to manage their emotions Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-87684575696914117902025-09-09T22:56:00.004-04:002025-10-01T11:34:06.948-04:00She Told Me I'd Never Amount to Anything... Here's What Happened Next!This post is going to deviate from my usual topics that I write about, so I hope my regular readers will bear with me. It's a post you may want to read if you've accepted the wrong job offer. While working on my autobiography, I remembered an excruciating experience as a twenty-something new to the workforce, following my military service. It was an experience that many would have trouble Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-6805048193956008602025-08-13T20:23:00.000-04:002025-08-13T20:23:08.729-04:007 Steps for Building Your Child's Financial LiteracyBuilding Strong Money Habits for LifeMoney management is one of the most valuable life skills we can pass to the next generation. For parents, teaching financial literacy is not just about explaining dollars and cents—it’s about shaping habits, attitudes, and values that will influence them for decades to come.This is more than a conversation about bank accounts—it’s an ongoing relationship whereBill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135535526472939134.post-32590705655385386762025-08-10T13:41:00.001-04:002025-08-10T15:08:53.453-04:00How to Create Rules Your Child Will FollowI wanted to take my autistic granddaughter to the butterfly botanical garden near us, but I was afraid she would want to touch everything and ruin the visit. Luckily, they have a list of rules at the entrance, and we went over them together. After reading through them a few times and getting her verbal commitment to follow them, I told her that we needed to come up with a "grandpa thing" (a Bill Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625543685482534313noreply@blogger.com0