Do you have a recurring problem in your family? Is there an issue that comes up day after day and causes disruption? Many families seek parent coaching around difficult situations which happen repeatedly in their daily lives. Two common examples are battles over homework and arguments over turning off screens. As a coach, I like to ask moms and dads to imagine what their lives would be like without these
A lot of parenting tips are about communication, self-care or setting limits. All good! These are all essential areas for parents to create calm, consistent habits. One consideration for parents is often overlooked. Have you ever noticed that the physical environment can set up a child for success? We set up the physical space for safety with babies and toddlers – child locks on cabinets and drawers, baby gates at
When my boys were in preschool and first grade, I heard a lot about the importance of praise. I was thrilled to discover the handout, 100 Ways to Praise, which I promptly fastened to my refrigerator. I was working on shifting my attention from the stuff that drove me crazy – one boy whining for a glass a milk while another poked his brother in the ribs, to noticing pleasant
Parents, you have shown herculean efforts to survive the pandemic as you adjusted and pivoted to meet the needs of work and children. You conducted Zoom meetings in your bedroom to avoid the noise of a kindergarten tantrum. You joined a conference call outside in the chilly winter air so your teenager could finish a geometry test on your laptop. You took breaks from work to make sandwiches for lunch
The warm sunshine streaming through my window this morning is a powerful reminder of how desperately I need more compassion in my life. The frozen, snow-covered ground and brisk, dry air await outside my doorstep but so does the light and warmth of our glorious sun. My intention today is to allow the sun to shine light on the places where I’m weighed down by regrets or missed opportunities. It’s
Many parents look at me with surprise when I ask them about the voices that pop into their minds when they are stressed. As they give themselves permission to step back and notice these often-intrusive messages, parents can start to choose habits that bring relief and allow them to keep their cool when emotions run high. Losing your cool is a result of getting overwhelmed by emotions. These emotions originate
Who would have predicted the year 2020 and the challenges it would place on parents? Who could have imagined, one year ago, that parents would become experts in e-learning? Or in video conferencing? Or in following daily CDC guidelines? Now, as we turn the page to a new year, give yourself credit for all you have done to survive. It is natural for people, especially parents, to focus on all
