I hear over and over about how difficult it is for parents to set limits on teens playing video games. Teenagers feel entitled to play video games whenever they want to. They believe that parents do not have authority to set rules about video game usage. They complain that their parents are “nagging” them and…
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Parents struggle with setting limits on video game playing to the point of feeling powerless. It can feel like the video game companies are controlling your children. However, you have more power than you think to keep video gaming obsession out of your home. Whereas drug and alcohol use often begins during the teen years…
DetailsThis is a blog written by Denise Pope, , PhD. Co founder of Challenge Success located on the Stanford University Campus in the Education Department. This year I had the honor of speaking to students and their families at a high school graduation ceremony. Below is an excerpt from my speech that I wish to share…
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Dad Successfully Implements Empathy Coaching (as instructed by me, Cynthia Klein) to Set Limits and Boundaries The following real life coaching scenario from June of 2016 involves a dad, Ben, learning how to set limits and boundaries with his strong-willed nine-year-old daughter, Julia. Don’t be concerned, all names have been changed to protect confidentiality.…
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“I do so much for my children, and they just don’t appreciate it. They think only about themselves. Sometimes, I feel like I’m here simply to give them what they want. Why don’t they think about me?” If you’re thinking this way, there’s a good chance you have not set clear personal boundaries. Personal boundaries…
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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…
DetailsI’m a divorced dad with two boys ages 9 and 11. My youngest son has challenges with transitions and wanting his own way. This causes power struggles with getting him out of bed. I came to Cynthia for help with his defiant behavior. Cynthia’s been teaching me how to state an expectation or limit on…
DetailsI’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…
DetailsDimitri Christakis is a pediatrician, researcher, and parent whose influential findings are helping identify optimal media exposure for children. His research with mice shows us how over stimulation through “intense” t.v. watching can negatively influence children’s ability to pay attention in school. It makes me wonder how video games are impacting kid’s ability to pay…
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I was raised in a culture that emphasizes kids’ academic success. Because of this, I was not taught the importance of parents and children playing together to create emotional bonds. As a result, I constantly told my children what to do to become successful in my eyes. We rarely had fun together. By the time…
DetailsTerms 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.