It took me a while to get Twitter. I thought, what’s the point of sending out 140 character blasts? I’m walking down 124th Street eating the most awesome peach raspberry gelato ever. Looks like my dog needs to poop. Damn didn’t bring a bag! Does the world need this info? Even if said world does, do I need to broadcast it?

But then David started doing some research on how professionals use Twitter to enhance their careers. I still didn’t get it. But David’s the guy who, in 1976, dragged me into the computer age, alternately biting, bitching and nodding off. Since that foray out of my comfort zone turned into a brilliant career move for us both, I decided to retract my claws long enough to hear him out.

That was in early August.

Now I’m a very happy tweeter, indeed. I’ve met some great people doing truly interesting and important work. I’ve learned to play nicely with them. So nicely, in fact, that last night I gathered together a few of my new twitter friends for a twitter chat. Don’t know twitter chat from channa chat? Simply, it’s a way to use Twitter tools to have a meaningful discussion in real time. We assembled a virtual panel of experts and for one hour we fielded parenting questions from the rest of Twitterland. It was a lot of fun and the parenting professionals put out top notch information. In case you missed it, I’ve reposted the “transcript” here.

Knock yourself out:

Annie_Fox I’m Annie Fox. I’m an author, who majored in tweens & teens. Panelists… tell us about yourselves please.

drdrrose I’m Dina Rose, a Food Sociologist, specializing in helping parents teach their kids to eat!

kidlutions I’m Wendy Young, child and family therapist. I deal w/behavioral issues/grief loss, etc

MarjieKnudsen I’m Marjie Knudsen, author, writer, child advocate, parent for over 23 years.

DianePMayer I’m Diane Peters Mayer therapist/writer working with kids and parents around anxiety, school anxiety and other issues.

ShapingYouth I’m Amy Jussel, former ad agency writer/creative dir; & Founder/Exec. Dir. of a nonprofit focusing on media/marketing/kids.

Parenting Question #1: How best to deal with 6yr old who often still doesn’t get to the toilet on time (#2’s) — says he doesn’t feel it??

MarjieKnudsen Magic bullet for my son, take him to bathroom and play with warm water in a bowl after he hasn’t gone. My son thought it was a blast and I am still amazed how well it worked. Others have tried it to and it worked! Only took 3 times doing this. Amazing. And he recognized feeling better.

kidlutions First off, stay calm cool as a cucumber. The less emotion you show, the better. Also start talking to him about “listening to your body.” Help him understand the signs that he might feel. He may be so preoccupied w/playing, that he ignores his body’s signals until it is too late. I LOVE Marjie’s FUN idea, too. Also, see if you can find a pattern in his BM’s and try to “plan” potty breaks around that time.

MarjieKnudsen Kids usually like to hide or go behind something when they have bm… watch for him to change locations.

RJTwoHomes Thanks, it’s normally when he’s busy & doesn’t want to stop what he’s doing. Not good at school as his gets embarrassed.

kidlutions Potty training is a HUGE battle of the wills! For some kids this is major. The less it affects you,the better

DianePMayer I agree with staying calm. You don’t want to create a will battle.

MarjieKnudsen I agree with staying very calm, no big reactions.

kidlutions That helps and the listening to the body thing will be HUGE.

Annie_Fox Anyone have any books/resources to recommend to about potty training?

MarjieKnudsen Well, there is the book, “Everybody Poops” … a classic now.

kidlutions A video from 12yrs that I used w/my kids…”It’s Potty Time”…has catchy songs…”YOU are a SUPER DOOPER POOPER”!

Parenting Question #2: My 5th grader is overwhelmed w/homework! Hate 2 see him struggle. 🙁 What should I do to help him?

Annie_Fox So hard to know how much to do FOR a 10 year old and when to step back and let him handle it.

DianePMayer I would set up teacher meeting to get idea of homework load. And breaking down the homework is the best way to reduce anxiety is to have child work for about 10-15 mins then take 5 min break, then 10-15 and so on. As child gains confidence they can up study time. Lots of my clients have success with this method.

MarjieKnudsen Rest brain by switching projects – research shows it works http://bit.ly/iqpEg

kidlutions Break it into smaller segments and take “brain breaks”…let him get some movement in. Ever heard of “brain gym”? Those exercises are great!

MarjieKnudsen You’re right. Breaks help when they’ve been going at it too long.

ShapingYouth This is akin to the ‘Stressed Out Students’ project at #Stanford, so try Denise’s Clark Pope’s new site: http://challengesuccess.org

Annie_Fox Yes it is stressful for the kids and for parents. We hate the homework wars! Parents often ask me, “What can we do about the homework load?” Do parents have any power in this?

kidlutions I think parents can/should approach the schools about WAY too much homework. I read something recently that said approx. 15 mins per grade level. Anybody else see this?

DianePMayer I’ve seen 10 min per grade level.

kidlutions I have a 3rd grade teacher friend who tells parents, have them work for max 45 mins/send me a note of where they left off, etc.

Annie_Fox Have any of you found schools to be responsive to parents’ request to ease up on h/w?

MarjieKnudsen I know of parents in a Talented and Gifted program who got together and arranged the amt. of homework. They went from 2 hours a day down to 45 minutes maximum… the teachers agreed.

Annie_Fox I love hearing that! Kids & parents need down time in the evenings and weekends. Homework can be such a corrosive force!

kidlutions YES! I have seen kids in therapy SOOOOOO stressed out by 5th grade. Parents can start w/ teacher, go to principal, superintendent, and finally to school board, if needed. Just had a HUGE discussion on this on Facebook a few days ago…LOTS of emotion surrounding this.

DianePMayer I have kids streaming into my practice due to homework anxiety. I agree that parents need to advocate… and check out books like “The End of Homework.” by Etta Kralove and John Buell. And The Case Against Homework by Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish.

Annie_Fox Thanks for those recommendations, Diane. Parents do need to advocate for their kids’… Too much homework is unhealthy. Besides, studies have shown that more homework doesn’t translate into better learning. Not after a certain point.

DianePMayer No it doesn’t and often destroys kid’s confidence

kidlutions Homework to understand concepts is one thing. Homework that is busywork a totally diff thing!

ShapingYouth Gr8 research/resources on hazardous hmwk/guidelines here: http://j.mp/3sXQ1z

kidlutions Parents should be armed w/the research that is being shared, and then approach teachers/admins/boards.

MarjieKnudsen Students who are successful are usually the ones who start out by engaging in something interesting to them. Pressure to be the best can destroy that feeling…as in too much HW

kidlutions And…what of kids that learn diff than by writing/rote memory? Hands on kids?
MarjieKnudsen Yes, Wendy. They stay more curious when they can use their strengths.

kidlutions I think at times, since kids are switching classes at an earlier age, teachers have NO idea how much homework the kids have. Support your child w/o undermining the teachers, etc.

MarjieKnudsen Talk to the teacher, and then keep going up ’til you get someone who will help. See counselor for help here.

Annie_Fox Bring it up at PTA mtgs.

MarjieKnudsen “Curious?” is an excellent book for parents from Psychologist Todd Kashdan

kidlutions Also, another book…Coloring Outside of the Lines… by Roger Schank.

Annie_Fox Encourage the school policy that teachers check w/each other about h/w loads. They all have the same students!

DianePMayer I also see teachers in my practice who complain about the curriculum–teaching to the test… they want to be creative in their work, but can’t. Worksheets don’t teach much at all–kids are bored, bored, bored!

Annie_Fox Bored kids get turned off to learning and often start acting out, making the teacher’s job that much harder! & less joyful!

ShapingYouth Yep. In a nat’l survey, students were asked to use 3 words to describe how they felt in school; “bored” followed by “tired”

Parenting Question #3: Our daughter’s best friend is now acting mean to her. Should I talk to the mom?

Annie_Fox That’s a tough one. Depends on how well the moms know each other.

drdrrose The question I would have is: how mean?

kidlutions First things, first. Since U won’t be there to handle every squabble daughter has, this is time to teach her how to be assertive and how to get her needs met. It is a gift to teach our kids HOW to navigate some of the not so fun social situations.

MarjieKnudsen In situations where I intervened and not…. when I have stayed out… it was always better. My girls are 19 and 23 now. Best to just ‘listen’ to girls’ feelings, repeat back worries to make sure you understand.. Give unconditional love and support.

kidlutions Send your daughter the msg that she can handle it, be assertive, stand up for herself, set limits. She may need lots of coaching. And always VALIDATE how it must be affecting the girl! Let her feel heard and understood!

Annie_Fox I love that message. But like the kid w/the homework overload, sometimes kids really are suffering and it can be nearly impossible for parents to stand back and let the kid handle things when it can appear that nothing is improving.

kidlutions Give her plenty of TLC and loving! Share times when you had similar things happen. Role play how to approach the friend.

MarjieKnudsen My girls always loved hearing similar situation stories!

MarjieKnudsen Marjie, I think that those stories of our own downfall, foibles, hurts and unfortunate circumstances are worth their weight in gold.

MarjieKnudsen Worked for me – discuss things you can change and not change… daughter will realize that she can let go, detach.

ShapingYouth Ironically, CNN just did a post on ‘when parents should butt in’ http://j.mp/bXYvP (I’m doing a followup re: peer/coaches/etc.)

kidlutions Now, if this is a “bullying” thing, that would call for diff tactics.

drdrrose Rachel Simmons’ book “Odd Girl Out” is a great resource to understand girl bullying.

Annie_Fox Yes, Dina! And Rachel’s got a new book “Curse of the Good Girl! Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence.” I think parents can help by staying calm and helping kids sort out what they can and can’t control in the situation. That’s what I see in my work. Girls would often rather get stomped on by friends than tell the truth about their hurt.

kidlutions In my practice, I have seen girls just break down sobbing when they start to share abt how “friends” have tx’d them. They never verbalized it before to anyone and once they say it out loud, it hits them like a ton of bricks!
DianePMayer Problem-solve together. Get her ideas–she’s not alone in this is the message.

Annie_Fox Friendship skills ought to be taught at school. Kids wouldn’t get BORED learning that!

kidlutions Yes…Annie, some schools are better at it than others. Some teachers R fab at it!

RJTwoHomes Imagine how powerful it would be if schools taught emotional intelligence!

kidlutions YES, YES, YES! At Head Start, we do! That’s a HUGE piece of my work w/them!

MarjieKnudsen Social and Emotional learning is becoming more widespread…. see http://www.csee.org Center for Social and Emotional Education (non-profit site) talk a lot about healthy school climate.

Annie_Fox Here’s a site reports on really innovative programs like social/emotional learning curriculum in action. http://learningmatters.tv/

chrstinef Great conversation…I think it is about teaching parents how to be their child’s emotional coach

kidlutions That’s exactly what we ARE! Emotional coaches! Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the best predictor of our success in life, trumps IQ, how early we learn to read, etc.

CoachNancyP Differentiation b/w bullying & conflict is that bullying is to intentionally gain power over another.

DianePMayer Some schools offer circus skills clubs that include juggling, unicycle riding, etc. and teachers have reported less bullying from these kids, more teamwork plus other benefits

MarjieKnudsen Yes, I’ve heard of kids being taught to juggle to help alleviate anxiety too.

kidlutions A great READ…”How Full is Your Bucket: Positive Strategies for Work and Life” by Tom Rath. They have one for kids, too!

MarjieKnudsen Here’s another good one: Have you filled your bucket today? http://bit.ly/4ht8ym

CoachNancyP Here’s a post I wrote on “bucket-filling” http://bit.ly/2GoTgF

DianePMayer I’ve been working on my juggling and teaching it to anxious kids–it helps them. Article on circus curriculum on http://Education.com

Annie_Fox And maybe parents could learn to stop juggling so many things at once and model more mindfulness for kids. When teachers get it, and parents get it… they create school communities with happier, kinder kids.

ShapingYouth Yep, agree Annie; & media could reduce the ‘hype’ as well. Larry Magid has great perspective/context here: http://j.mp/ZtP9s

RJTwoHomes It can be scary when we remember that children do as we do!

Annie_Fox They sure do!

Parenting Question #4: I’m expecting our 2nd child in Dec. My 4 yr. old already says she doesn’t want a new baby in the family. Help!

kidlutions Your four year old is to be commended for her honesty! Who would want to be displaced?

MarjieKnudsen Let them be involved as much as possible. Let them make choices, about anything related…. Picking out baby clothes, paint color for room, toys for baby. Let them pick them and try them out first.

kidlutions When I was expecting my 2nd and 3rd, I gathered my other kid(s) on my lap and told them a story about how every time a mom has a new baby, her belly doesn’t just grow, her heart grows, too so w/each new baby, mom’s heart gets bigger and there is ALWAYS, ALWAYS enough LOVE for EVERYONE!

Annie_Fox Lovely! Inclusion in the family process of getting ready for the new baby… excellent advice!

MarjieKnudsen My daughters are 4 yrs apart… everything was fine ’til baby came along… hardest part, make sure time for both.

kidlutions Start talking up what a special role she will have as a BIG sister, maybe make up a story book w/ her about how special BIG sisters are and how much they have to TEACH the baby…and that the baby will have soooooo much to learn from her.

Annie_Fox But mom should be realistic that it’s going to be a transition for the #1 child. It’s also OK if firstborn doesn’t love love love the baby 24/7. Too pressure for #1 child to be “perfect” Not helpful. Not real.

kidlutions Annie, yes, it WILL be a transition. I FELT it, before I delivered each new baby myself!

helpthiskid Buy a gift for the 4 year old from the new baby when he/she is born.

kidlutions YES! I did that for each of mine…and they STILL remember the gifts 15 years later!

ShapingYouth Recent piece on interchild relationships talks about ‘validating angry feelings’ of the sibling: http://j.mp/ShBv0 +1 on 1 time

kidlutions On the flip side, mom can make 2 separate books w/1^st born detailing all that a BIG sis can do to TEACH the baby and another book that allows BIG sis to “rant” and complain and say things she DOESN’T like about having a new baby!

DianePMayer I was just writing a post about this very thing. Older child has to know it’s ok that she doesn’t want that baby around–feelings have no limit, only behavior does.

Annie_Fox Feelings have no limitations, only behavior does Excellent way to phrase it! You don’t want to make any child feel “wrong” for being pissed off at the little intruder!

kidlutions Annie, LOL, totally not! 😉

iTwixie Let her get mad!

Annie_Fox Starting the new sib relationship off right is important. I often hear from tweens and teens who can’t stand their sibs. That’s sad to me… normal at times, of course.

MarjieKnudsen Sib relationships can be helped along by parent a great deal!

kidlutions Balance is the name of the game! Don’t expect her to be perfect. Validate anger, jealousy, and keep plenty of 1:1 time. Let her hear you tell baby, “Just a minute honey, I am helping your BIG sister!”

MarjieKnudsen Sibs not getting along is something to always deal with… works to ‘arrange’ surprise fun things when just them. Then they have these great funny, silly, dumb memories of things parents surprised them with… helps bond. Also, I surprise them together with something really silly… they get a laugh and bond together with the memory

Annie_Fox The hour really flew! Time to go. Thanks to all of you wonderful panelists. Let’s do this again soon. You guys rock! Tweet on!

If you like, follow me on Twitter. I tweet about parents, teens and tweens.