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…
I’m a mom of an 11-year-old girl. Because of parenting challenges, I came to Cynthia for private parenting help to learn how to reduce my daughter’s jealousy of family members, to understand each other better, and to eliminate rude interactions. Even though, this is a lot to change, I was determined to learn what to…
Stress is not all bad. Eustress is positive whereas distress is negative. Eustress, or positive stress, has the following characteristics: Motivates, focuses energy. Is short-term. Is perceived as within our coping abilities. Feels exciting. Improves performance. In contrast, Distress, or negative stress, has the following characteristics: Causes anxiety or concern. Can be short- or long-term. Is…
Listening to emotions is a fundamental step of problem solving. Problem solving is an essential skill to learn for a child’s self-esteem. They need to feel lovable and capable and this will develop as you problem solve together. Solving problems is not just logical. Solving problems is emotional as well. Trying to avoid your children’s emotions…
From the 6seconds website: Since the 1995 publication of Daniel Goleman’s international bestseller Emotional Intelligence, Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, a global movement has developed to bring “EQ” into practice in businesses, schools, and communities around the globe. How did it start, what does it mean – and where is it going? From…
A successful family is a family where growth has the highest value. Growth has more value than what is accomplished or the final “product.” This means that we encourage challenging our weaknesses without judgment. When we can’t change them, the other family members take up the slack and don’t continually ask, “Why did (or didn’t)…
Four Lessons from “Inside Out” to Discuss With Kids By Jason Marsh, Vicki Zakrzewski | July 14, 2015 | 1 Comment This is the post on the Greater Good Science Center at U.C. Berkeley shared with you by Cynthia Klein, Family Success Coach, bridges2understa.wpstagecoach.com, 650.679,8138. blog http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_lessons_from_inside_out_to_discuss_with_kids The new Pixar film has moved viewers young and…
As parents realize that pressuring children to get all A’s is stressing them out too much, they have shifted to saying “Do your best” instead. I propose that “Do your best” can also cause kids to feel pressured to meet their parents’ high expectations. Here is why I say this. When parents tell me that…
My husband and I are working with Cynthia and I learned that I was a part of my 10 year-old son’s outbursts. So, rather than trying to change him, which I would tried doing through arguing and yelling which never worked, I’m working on changing myself instead. My son gets upset with projects at school,…
kidsdata advisory The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health | June 4, 2015 Survey: One in five 9th graders in CA considered suicide The percentage of students in California public schools who reported suicidal ideation within the past year is disturbing—nearly 1 in every 5 students in grades 9, 11, and non-traditional classes, according…
Terms of Use: The articles in my blog are a matter of my opinion and perspective, offered to help stimulate parents' thinking about their child raising and common concerns, conflicts, and changes that typically occur. They are meant to be educational only. Because they are general in nature, they should NOT be used as a substitute for getting qualified professional psychological, medical, or legal help should serious need arise. The resources I recommend are mostly consistent with my parenting approach. Use them at your own discretion as you would my articles. The parents’ success stories are particular to their family situation. This does not mean that you would get the same results. They are to be used for inspiration that by you changing first, you have the greatest chance of creating a positive change in your family.