The Kid Whisperer: How to have a pleasant visit with your kids at a relative’s home Scott Ervin, Tribune News Service Sep 29, 2026 3 hrs ago 0 Why do my 4- and 6-year-old insist on being on their absolute worst behavior when we go to visit family? (Anastasiia Boriagina/Dreamstime/TNS) Anastasiia Boriagina/Dreamstime/TNS Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Scott Ervin, Tribune News Service Dear Kid Whisperer,kAm(9J 5@ >J c\ 2?5 e\J62C\@=5 :?D:DE @? 36:?8 @? E96:C 23D@=FE6 H@CDE 3692G:@C H96? H6 8@ E@ G:D:E 72>:=Jn (6 =:G6 D6G6C2= 9@FCD 2H2J 7C@> >@DE @7 @FC 72>:=J >6>36CD[ D@ H6 5@?VE 92G6 E:>6 E@ G:D:E G6CJ @7E6?] x H2?E E@ 36 23=6 E@ 6?;@J E96 E:>6 H:E9 >J C6=2E:G6D — 3FE >J <:5D >2<6 :E :>A@DD:3=6 2D E96J 2C6 ;FDE 2== @G6C E96 A=246 2?5 5@?VE =:DE6? E@ 2 H@C5 x D2J] x 42?VE ;FDE E2<6 E96> 9@>6 2?5 ECJ 282:? E96 ?6IE 52J] (92E 5@ x 5@nk^AmkAmp?DH6Ci *@FC <:5D 2C6 5@:?8 E9:D 3642FD6 E96J’C6 =:EE=6 G6=@4:C2AE@CD H9@ 2C6 DFA6C D>2CE 2?5 <?@H E92E J@F 2C6 :? 2 E24E:42==J H62< A@D:E:@?[ H9:=6 >:=6D 2H2J 7C@> J@FC 9@>6 2E 2 A=246 E92E E96J <?@H J@F C62==J H2?E E@ 36]k^Am People are also reading… Search warrant says Old Fort woman told deputies she shot man found dead on front porch Marion meat processing plant run by local family brings quality meats, serves farmers Police: Marion man fled from officers, was later found stuck on Morganton railroad tracks Marion man charged with assault inflicting serious bodily injury Baptists on Mission dedicates new Marion Rebuild Center at former Camping World complex Environmental association says federal rule change threatens Lake James watershed End of an era: NC DMV eliminates stickers, routine paper registration on Oct. 1. Here's why Old Fort says streetscape project on Catawba Avenue still on schedule 5 cabins open in Old Fort as first phase of Grier Village retreat development McDowell County Safe Baby Court program works to place foster kids in homes quickly Campaign saves Asheville bear 'Dolly' from death. Here's what to know Marion author to publish poetry chapbook focused on Hurricane Helene, renewal Old Fort woman charged with murder Friday Lenoir-Rhyne basketball teams release rosters, two Hickory-area players made the cut Maymead lawsuit: Consultant used alias to rally opposition to NC asphalt plant kAm*@FC <:5D ?665 E@ 36 C6EC2:?65 :? 2 =@H6C\DE2<6D 6?G:C@?>6?E 367@C6 8@:?8 324< E@ 72C 2H2J 72>:=J G:D:ED] w6C6’D 9@H x H@F=5 724:=:E2E6 E9:D]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi *66D9] *@F 8FJD D9@H65 >6 5FC:?8 @FC =2DE EC:A E@ vC2?5>2’D 9@FD6 E92E J@F ;FDE 2C6?’E C625J E@ 8@ E@ G:D:E 72>:=J] *@F’C6 8@:?8 E@ 36 AC24E:4:?8 ?@E 42FD:?8 AC@3=6>D F?E:= J@F 364@>6 6IA6CED 2E 36:?8 :? AF3=:4] (6’C6 8@:?8 E@ 5@ D@>6 EC2:?:?8 96C6 :? E96 AC:G24J @7 @FC 9@>6]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5k^DEC@?8mi w@H =@?8 H:== E92E E2<6nk^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi %92E 2== 56A6?5D @? J@F] xD?’E =:76 6I4:E:?8nPk^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi u66= 7C66 E@ DE2J H:E9 @FC 72>:=J 2D =@?8 2D J@F 42? 364@>6 6IA6CED 2E ?@E 42FD:?8 AC@3=6>D]k^AmkAmpD kDEC@?8mz:5 R`k^DEC@?8m 2?5 kDEC@?8mz:5 Rak^DEC@?8m 8@ 23@FE E96:C 52J[ kDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8m C6:?7@C46D E96 3692G:@CD 96 H@F=5 =:<6 E@ D66[ 6DA64:2==J 2E C6=2E:G6D’ 9@FD6D[ H96? 96 D66D E96>]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi x ?@E:465 E92E J@F 2C6 36:?8 <:?5]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi x ?@E:465 E92E J@F 2C6 EC62E:?8 6249 @E96C H6==]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi x ?@E:465 J@F 36:?8 42=> 2?5 A@=:E6]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 Rak^DEC@?8m DF556?=J D4C62>D 2E 9:D 3C@E96C]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi *66D9]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8m A:4<D FA kDEC@?8mz:5 Rak^DEC@?8m 2?5 42CC:6D 9:> E@ 2 D276[ E2?ECF>\AC@@7 C@@>[ H:E9@FE D2J:?8 2?JE9:?8 36D:56D E96 H@C5 “J66D9]”k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi (96? 42? J@F DE2J H:E9 E96 72>:=Jn r@>6 324< H96? J@F 42? 7@==@H @FC CF=6D] ~FC 72>:=J :D 36DE H96? J@F’C6 2C@F?5Pk^Am kAmx7 kDEC@?8mz:5k^DEC@?8m 4@>6D 324< F?A=62D2?E[ kDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8m 42CC:6D 9:> 324< E@ E96 @E96C C@@>] %9:D >2J ?665 E@ 36 C6A62E65 D6G6C2= E:>6D]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi *66D9]k^AmkAm{2E6C[ A6C92AD 27E6C >2?J EC:AD E@ E96 @E96C C@@>[ kDEC@?8mz:5D R`k^DEC@?8m 2?5 kDEC@?8mak^DEC@?8m 7:?2==J FD6 3692G:@CD E92E D9@H E92E E96J <?@H 9@H E@ 36 :? 2 9@FD6 4@CC64E=J]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi *@F 8FJD 92G6 D9@H? >6 H:E9 J@FC 8C62E 49@:46D E92E J@F 2C6 C625J 7@C E96 ?6IE =6G6= @7 q6:?8 2 !6CD@? :? E96 (@C=5 !C24E:46P %@ E96 A2C< H6 8@Pk^AmkAm,pE E96 A2C<.k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi u66= 7C66 E@ DE2J 2E E96 A2C< 2D =@?8 2D J@F 42? 7@==@H @FC CF=6DPk^Am kAm%96 A2C< AC24E:46 H@C<D E96 D2>6 H2J 2D 9@FD6 AC24E:46[ 6I46AE E92E 2E E96 G6CJ 7:CDE D:8? @7 2? 2?E:D@4:2= 3692G:@C E92E H@F=5 36 C62D@? 7@C 6>32CC2DD>6?E 2E E96 C6=2E:G6D’ 9@FD6[ kDEC@?8mz:5Dk^DEC@?8m 2C6 :>>65:2E6=J A:4<65 FA 2?5 42CC:65 E@ E96 42C[ AFE :? E96 42C @C 3@@DE6C D62E[ 2?5 E2<6? 9@>6[ H:E9 kDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8m C6A62E:?8 @?=J @?6 H@C5]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi *66D9]k^Am kAm~?46 E96J >2DE6C E96 A2C<[ E96J 2C6 C625J E@ 8@ E@ 2 72>:=J >6>36C’D 9@>6]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8m =6ED vC2?5>2 <?@H E92E 96’D A=2??:?8 2 G:D:E] w6 =6ED 96C <?@H E96 A=2? 3FE >2<6D 96C AC@>:D6 E@ ?@E ECJ E@ “96=A[” <?@H:?8 E92E D96 H:== @?=J >6DD :E FA H:E9 C6>:?56CD[ H2C?:?8D[ 6E4] w6 =6ED 96C <?@H E92E 96 2?5 9:D 72>:=J >2J 36 =62G:?8 62C=J] (96? 96 2CC:G6D[ 96 2?5 9:D 72>:=J 5@ ?@E F?A24< E96:C E9:?8D]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8m FD6D E96 D2>6 H@C5D E@ D6E =:>:ED[ 2?5 E96 D2>6 ?@E:4:?8 E@ C6:?7@C46 8@@5 8F6DE 3692G:@C]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 R`k^DEC@?8m FD6D 2? 2?E:D@4:2= 3692G:@C]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8mi *66D9]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6Ck^DEC@?8m C6>@G6D kDEC@?8mz:5k^DEC@?8m E96 D2>6 H2J 96 5:5 2E E96 A2C<] %96 C6DE @7 E96 6IE6?565 72>:=J 3C:?8D 2== @7 E96 kDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6C u2>:=Jk^DEC@?8m’D A@DD6DD:@?D E@ E96 42C 2D E96J D25=J H2G6 8@@53J6] kDEC@?8mz:5 (9:DA6C6C u2>:=Jk^DEC@?8m 5C:G6D 9@>6 H:E9@FE =64EFC6D @C 2?86C]k^Am kAm~7 4@FCD6[ :7 kDEC@?8mz:5Dk^DEC@?8m C:D6 E@ E96 =6G6= @7 E96:C EC2:?:?8[ 6G6CJ@?6 ;FDE 6?;@JD E96 6?E:C6EJ @7 E96 G:D:E E@ vC2?5>2’DPk^AmkAm(9:=6 :?4@?G6?:6?E[ :7 2?E:D@4:2= 3692G:@CD 5@ 92AA6? 2?5 E96 72>:=J 92D E@ 8@ 9@>6 62C=J[ E92E 6IA6C:6?46 :D =:<6=J E@ 42FD6 2 A6C>2?6?E 3692G:@C 492?86 E92E H:== 8C62E=J :>AC@G6 kDEC@?8mz:5 R`k^DEC@?8m 2?5kDEC@?8mRak^DEC@?8m’D 7FEFC6 =:G6D 2?5 >2<6 :E G6CJ =:<6=J E92E E96J’== 36 23=6 E@ A2CE:4:A2E6 :? E96 6?E:C6EJ @7 E96 ?6IE 72>:=J G242E:@?]k^Am 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular Top 10 states embracing creative baby name spellings ThatsThem reports that creative baby name spellings are trending in the U.S., with Mississippi leading in unique names, followed by Alabama an… Survey: Why 1,000 moms feel they need permission to rest Naturepedic reports that a survey of 1,000 U.S. moms reveals a "sleep permission gap," where many feel guilty about prioritizing rest, leading… How much does it cost to raise a child in 2026? Hometap reports the cost of raising a child in the U.S. has surpassed $300,000, increasing 28% in three years, impacting family budgets and planning. The Kid Whisperer: How to put an end to arguing in your classroom Dear Kid Whisperer, I have come up against a behavior with my eighth-grade students that I don’t know what to do with. And this behavior has m… The Kid Whisperer: How to have students manage their own classroom Dear Kid Whisperer, I've read your book, and I have a question about student jobs. Is it a bad idea to make sure every student has some kind o…
Top 10 states embracing creative baby name spellings ThatsThem reports that creative baby name spellings are trending in the U.S., with Mississippi leading in unique names, followed by Alabama an…
Survey: Why 1,000 moms feel they need permission to rest Naturepedic reports that a survey of 1,000 U.S. moms reveals a "sleep permission gap," where many feel guilty about prioritizing rest, leading…
How much does it cost to raise a child in 2026? Hometap reports the cost of raising a child in the U.S. has surpassed $300,000, increasing 28% in three years, impacting family budgets and planning.
The Kid Whisperer: How to put an end to arguing in your classroom Dear Kid Whisperer, I have come up against a behavior with my eighth-grade students that I don’t know what to do with. And this behavior has m…
The Kid Whisperer: How to have students manage their own classroom Dear Kid Whisperer, I've read your book, and I have a question about student jobs. Is it a bad idea to make sure every student has some kind o…
