Q&A With Lonna Corder

Q. My son, 1, and daughter, 3, share a room. Is there a certain point when they should be moved into separate bedrooms?

A. Other cultures do not have the luxury of space to create gender-exclusive rooms. We are a bit phobic about having our sons and daughters together too long. I personally think it is a lovely experience for both as long as they feel like they have privacy; typically this occurs when the eldest starts elementary school and begins to clearly choose same-sex friends. An older sister will not want to share her Polly Pocket world with her new BFF and her little brother. It is for that reason, and only that reason, I can see splitting them up. Boys and girls, despite my generation's theories, do play differently and should be able to have their own space to do so.

— Lonna Corder

Parenting expert and Montessori school director Lonna Corder has been doling out advice for 25 years as a teacher, parent/child consultant, and on television. For more information, visit lonnacorder.com.

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Q. My two-year-old son is incredibly active. He is always on the go and has a hard time sitting still for long periods of time. Are there particular sports or activities that could help him channel his energy?

A. Two things: It Sounds like you have a normal two-year-old boy and there are no age appropriate sports for a toddler. Two-year-olds should jump in their back yard, run in parks, climb mountains of pillows, learn what a crab walk and bear walk are and then walk up the block that way. Organized activities will only frustrate the very active as sitting and following directions for a period of time will not set him up for success. Keeping him safe is key so creating obstacle courses, having a small trampoline or a mat for tumbling helps. Bottom line —let him move. To see the rest of Lonna's answer, read more

Q. My husband and I both work full time and don't get to spend much time with our two-year-old during the week. We eat breakfast as a family, but then our son spends the rest of the day with his nanny and is asleep by the time we get home. How can we maximize our quality time with him on weekends? ?

A. It is with compassion and support that I answer this. Parents no longer have the luxury of choosing to work; we must work to keep everything together. It seems irresponsible for one employed parent to leave a job when the other could lose theirs the next day. Two-year-olds have very specific needs for their development. They need to develop their large motor skills, they need to be exposed to rich language experiences, and they need to have a strong sense of order and security. Parents are the first and most influential teachers. If weekends are the only precious hours, make every waking minute count. For the rest of Lonna's answer, read more