Summer is a time of decreased stress, i.e. no homework, which can mean less conflict and more time and opportunity to build closer relationships within your family. Here are three ways to start building family closeness right away. Be bold and establish a “No electronics” time for the entire family. This rule applies to everyone…
Listening to Your Kids’ Struggles Without Your “Stuff” Getting in the Way From my experience of teaching and coaching hundreds of parents plus raising my own daughter, learning how to listen and build connection is the foundation to a harmonious home. When children are upset about an issue in their own life, it can trigger…
Anxiety can plague children no matter what age they are. Several of my client’s children struggle with anxiety stemming from fears of what might happen. This can lead to rigidity and resistance to change even though they will enjoy the next activity. Anxiety is complicated, and it is real. I recently saw the movie Angst:…
I’m a divorced mom of a 9 year-old daughter and 7 year-old son. I contacted Cynthia for private parenting coaching due to challenges with my 9-year-old daughter. My daughter often complained about her younger brother and needed constant validation that I loved her just as much as her brother. She would frequently get upset, say…
By Corey, Mom of 7 and 9 year olds. My daughter, Beth, is 9 and very strong-willed which can lead to intense emotional outbursts. I tend to try and take away her hurt feelings. I’m going through a divorce and my Child’s Advocate has advised me to stop doing this because it isn’t helping my…
Parents become very frustrated and worried when their children no longer share their thoughts, feelings, or events in their lives. A wall develops and yet it can be melted. The length of time required to melt the wall depends on how deep the divide between parent and child has become. The good news is that…
Keeping Lines of Communication Open Practice Lines of communication can be opened or closed depending on the listener’s response to the speaker. When we listen beyond the words to the feelings and thoughts the speaker may be trying to express, we can build a bridge of empathy that feels respectful and supportive to the speaker.…
I think Elaine Aron’s book is wonderful and I encourage you to buy it if you have a highly sensitive child. Her questionnaire below will help you decide. By Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D. author of the highly sensitive child – Helping our children thrive when the world overwhelms them. Please answer each question as best…
Finding solutions can be challenging. Maybe you don’t know how to start the process, or your children won’t respond, or even if you do develop a plan, their enthusiasm wanes quickly, and you’re left feeling discouraged. You can successfully solve problems together when you pick a challenge or request that both of you have an…
In the summer issue of Parenting on the Peninsula magazine, my article, The Art of Listening Openly, is published. Most parents just don’t know how to listen without giving advice, commanding, placating, interrogating, distracting and other communication blocks. I invite you to read the entire article. Here is a beginning teaser: Children’s emotions can often surge…