The Parenting Expert Quiz

Some parents are true experts – ones who are looked-up to for advice and coaching on parenting issues. Over years of observation, I’ve devised this brief quiz that will help you determine whether you are an expert parent.  Check out the test interpretation below after responding.

To the test:

1.  Do friends regularly call you to consult about issues and questions related to parenting?

2.  Do you often ask yourself: “what could I do to be a better parent”?

3.  Do you have a clear vision of the values that you would like to raise your children on?

4.  Think of a parenting related topic that you recently researched online/elsewhere. Could you articulate the most relevant findings to someone in a similar situation.

5.  Do you regularly post content of any kind that is related to parenting (blogs, comments, columns, etc.)?

6.  Do you enjoy helping others by sharing your experience and advice?

If you answer ‘yes’ to at least 2 of the questions, you are indeed an expert, and should consider signing-up on Wizpert, where you can help other parents over a phone-call at your convenience.  You can even charge users for you time, once your rating is high enough – Wizpert takes care of billing.

We are currently signing-up experts by invitation only, and I would like to invite you to sign-up on www.wizpert.com, using this code: a5500.  It’s free and takes under 5 minutes!

Go to: www.wizpert.com, and enter code: a5500

4 year old biting her nails – Yikes!

A few weeks ago, my 4 year old started biting her fingernails. At first I stared at disbelief – isn’t this supposed to be something that only grown-ups do, much like driving and making responsible decisions…but no! She was really doing it, and with a zeal too!
I asked other parents from her school and the playground, consulted with friends and family, and was only mildly comforted to learn that this is a very common behavior in children.
In terms of (failed) attempts so far, we have tried the following: verbal corrections, pep talks, rewards (she loves to go to the nail salon and get nail polish, so my wife and I promised her that we would take her there if her fingernails grow long enough), and even a special bitter nail-polish that is supposed to remind her that this is really a disgusting habbit. The latter attempt was by far the funniest – as she genuinely got excited about the bitter nail polish, but soon realized that biting her nails will earn her another application, which she loved!
We never experienced anything like this with her 7 year old sister, and would really appreciate any advice from any of our many readers!
Regards,
Parents of 2 girls