Author Archive: Dr. Ray Guarendi
Dr. Ray Guarendi is a father of 10, clinical psychologist, author, public speaker and radio host. His radio show ― "The Doctor Is In" ― can be heard weekdays. Please see our radio affiliate listings (Ave Maria Radio & EWTN Radio) for a station in your area. You can also listen live online or on Sirius satellite radio, channel 160.
Dr. Ray's experience includes school districts, Head Start programs, mental health centers, substance abuse programs, inpatient psychiatric centers, juvenile courts, and a private practice.
Dr. Ray has been a regular guest on national radio and television, including Oprah, Joan Rivers, Scott Ross Prime Time, 700 Club, Gordon Elliot, and CBS This Morning. He's appeared on regional radio and television shows in over 40 states and Canada. He has been the program psychologist for Cleveland's Morning Exchange, Pittsburgh 2-Day, and AM Indiana. He has written several books, including Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime, You’re a Better Parent Than You Think!, now in its twenty-fifth printing, Back to the Family, Good Discipline, Great Teens, Adoption: Choosing It, Living It, Loving It and his newest book, Marriage: Small Steps, Big Rewards.
Nagging or ‘This is the last ten times I’m going to tell you’
Continually mouthing the same appeal or threat, whether changing your words a little or a lot, does little to gain a child’s attention or cooperation. If I had to award a prize for the most futile parenting practice, I would surely present it to nagging. Indeed, nagging may be the single most pervasive masquerade of [...]
It’s All Right to Be Wrong
Dear Dr. Ray, I worry a lot about making mistakes in raising my children. How do I know what I’m doing now won’t hurt them in some way later in life? ―Nervous Few things can ruin the enjoyment of parenthood more surely than a fear of mistakes. Nowadays so many parents live with the daily [...]
Labor Relations with Children
How important do you think it is for children to help around the house? And how can I get my kids to do more? Sometimes it’s easier on my nerves if I just do the chores myself. Chores are loaded with lessons about life. They show, not merely tell, a youngster that living in this [...]
Cutting Back Backtalk Talk
Dear Dr. Ray, My five children are ages fifteen, fourteen, eleven, nine, and six. Their personalities are all very different. One thing they all do, though, is talk back. It’s the source of most of our arguments. ― Never the Last Word * * * * * Backtalk ― the universal misbehavior Where children are, [...]
Bedtime “Badtimes”
Dear Dr. Ray, Our four-year-old daughter fights going to bed nearly every night. We are exhausted and to the point where we allow her to stay up as long as she wants. Help! ― No good nights How to Avoid Bedtime Conflict with your Children The word “fight” means different things to different kids. To [...]
Four Ground Rules for Healthy TV Habits
Children Do Not Need Television Though youngsters will urgently argue the point, children don’t need television. They may want it, crave it, even suffer withdrawal during a power outage, but healthy social development is not linked remotely to the number of channels your set receives. Television is not inherently bad. Unlimited and unscreened, however, it [...]
The Gim-Me Syndrome
Dear Dr. Ray: My daughter is eight years old. She’s always asking me to purchase or obtain something for her. I simply don’t have the money and even if I did, I don’t think I could satisfy her. – Running on empty May I begin to answer your question with some questions of my own? [...]
The Myth of Being Right
Dear Dr. Ray, I have two sons, ages eight and five. Sometimes I hear and read so much about how I should discipline them that I don’t know whom to listen to. How do / know what is right? ―Confused Mom One of the most widespread childrearing myths preying upon parents these days is the [...]
Dr. Ray on Discipline
Discipline — it’s a word that once had a pretty good reputation. Parents instinctively knew that discipline was something kids needed. It was good for them. It taught them the basics of living: character, morals, responsibility, respect. But in the last generation or two, discipline has received a spanking. Some experts proclaim that really savvy [...]
The Power of Perseverance
Dear Dr. Ray: I have two children as different as night and day. My son is so easy-going that sometimes he almost seems to be raising himself. My daughter has to do everything her way. Discipline just bounces off her. – “Half-defeated” My last column spoke to the power of a child’s temperament and its [...]
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