Is your child's temperament a good fit with yours? by Beth J. Harpaz, San Francisco Gate

It's a concept that parents may not be familiar with, but experts say it can explain a lot about family conflicts: Is your child's temperament a good "fit" with yours?

For example, a stubborn child who's a chip off the old block might have a lot of showdowns with an equally stubborn mom or dad. But contrasting temperaments don't necessarily assure good results: A determined child might overwhelm an overly flexible parent.

Many personality traits like these are inborn, but "temperaments can also be colored by the environment in which children are raised," said child psychologist Brian Daly, who teaches at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Read More...

Water Wizard Buddha Board

This is a really terrific play therapy tool for clients of all ages. The Water Wizard is the kids version of the Buddha Board. It looks like a laptop and includes a Water Pen which is used for drawing.  Your clients can create a drawing over and over again by simply painting on the Water Wizard surface with the Water Pen (included) or with a wet paint brush. The design immediately comes to life with a swish of the Water Pen and then transforms into something different as it fades away. Water Wizard is environmentally friendly and will last for years with proper care. Enjoy the magic of water wizard and have fun!

Moody Monster "Feeling" Cards

A kooky monster-themed memory game. A great game to stimulate discussion about fears and challenges. Each Monster Card is labelled with a feeling word. This game also stimulates cognitive development by increasing memory, social skills and emotion recognition. Also useful for promoting cooperative play, following rules, developing social skills, and enhancing communication. 32 big chunky cards. For 1-4 players.

We also recommend these excellent time-management tools: "Please Remember" Memory Card and the WatchMinder.

Looking for an "at-home" parent training program? Click here.

Positive Parenting: Alternatives to Spanking

A great resource about how and why to spare the rod. Includes illustrative and informative videos.