Holidays with our childhood family can bring out many emotions that have been tucked away during the rest of the year so we can function. Old feelings from childhood can emerge almost as strongly as when we were children. Our struggles with our childhood family can help us understand some of the emotional turmoil we…
Understanding our emotions and being able to discuss emotions with our children is key to family connection and happiness. Often, parents did not learn about the range of emotions growing up so being emotionally aware with children can be quite challenging. I gain great wisdom from Daniel Goleman’s book Emotional Intelligence. I encourage you to read…
I am a big proponent of developing emotional intelligence. I know that because I learned about emotions as an adult, I was able to build a strong emotional base for my relationship with my daughter while she was growing up. Because I had an understanding of and handle on my own emotions, i could keep…
Words about raising children from Daisaku Ikeda, President of the SGI World Wide Organization. World Renown author and poet. From his book A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays. pg 32and 33. Sadly, some parents try to use their children as a means to give expression to their own vanity and pride, trying to force them…
Once we have children our lives change. A couple that was happily married now usually have more conflict. How to raise the children is a point of contention. We may even wonder at times if we were wise to even have children. During times of doubt, I remember how much my daughter has given me…
Raising Children From: A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays. by Daisaku Ikeda, President of the SGI World Wide Organization World Renowned Author and Poet Parts 1- 2 from Cynthia Klein’s March and April 2012 newsletters. “In order for a child to develop an independent self, it may be necessary at times to discipline…
We can often think that feelings just arise from nowhere. When we look at the Think-Feel-Do cycle developed by Michael Popkin, PhD. we see a different perspective. How we think about an event causes our feelings about the event. Then, our thinking leads to our actions. Too often parents try to change a child by…
Parents at Mid-Peninsula High School in Menlo Park, CA gathered tonight to learn how to communicate so teens will actually listen to them. As their speaker, i focused on my 3 Step Quick Coaching Process.: Step 1: Stop Blocking Communication Step 2: Listen Openly Step 3: Discuss Ideas The first key point from Step 1…
This past Thursday, October 11, 2012 I spoke at Stanford University on Enhancing Emotional Intelligence in the Family. This was my 11th talk sponsored by Stanford’s Work/Life Program. I based my talk on Daniel Goleman’s 4 areas of Emotional Intelligence. •EMOTIONAL SELF-AWARENESS •MANAGING EMOTIONS •EMPATHY – READING EMOTIONS •HANDLING RELATIONSHIPS . My focus was on…
We are emotional beings. Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, suggests that our emotional intelligence is even more important than intellectual intelligence to live a successful life. We enter this world interacting from our limbic system which is our emotional center. All feelings are stored there in our long term memory only to be retriggered…
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.