Interacting with your children can sometimes feel like walking on eggshells where any comment or action could crush the “egg,” causing a gooey mess. Cleaning up after conflicts is challenging and time-consuming. To avoid the need for cleanup, I recommend learning how to interact with your children as an ally rather than an adversary. An…
Details
Do you have a child who ignores you when you give directions, or argues with you like an attorney trying to change your mind, or refuses to talk to you other than with a few words or grunts? If you do, then Ally Parenting – The path from conflict to cooperation is for you. Each…
Details
The mother-daughter relationship is particularly challenging because both sides desire and value emotional connection, whether it’s negative or positive. Because of this deep desire, when circumstances erode the emotional connection, both parties feel hurt and can resort to unhelpful language and actions that further the divide. However, even after a wall has developed, I have…
Details
Do you face any of these painful parent-child walls with your children? Do your kids… Ignore you? Argue with you? Refuse to share with you? If this sounds familiar, then Ally Parenting: How to get through walls…gently is the tool you need. Through the Ally Parenting approach, you will master the parenting skills, wisdom, and…
Details
It was a pleasure working with Cynthia over the last three months. She understood what we were going through with our kids and was able to provide us with solutions to overcome many of the day to day obstacles that were causing a disconnect between us and our kids. No matter your current parenting style, she…
DetailsMaking Friends with Yourself Teen Group Reduce anxiety, depression, stress and negative mood with mindfulness and self-compassion skills for teens. Adolescence is a time of change, growth and, all too often, struggle. Making Friends with Yourself is an eight-week program designed to help teens cope more effectively with the challenges of their day-to day life.…
Details
Redwood City Speaker Series This is one event in a multiyear speaker series that is part of a continuing relationship between Redwood City, California, and Stanford GSB Executive Education. Upcoming Events Julie Lythcott-Haims: How to Raise an Adult Book signing to take place after the author’s talk. Books will be available for purchase at the event.…
Details
This Elementary School Fair is sponsored and located at Parents Place in Palo Alto Please join us for this unique Peninsula event that connects families with more than 30 private and independent elementary schools in one evening. You can speak informally with school representatives, gather information, and search for the right fit for your child…
DetailsTop Ten Back-to-School Tips to Help your Child Thrive in School This Year 1. Ask your child: “How was your day? Learn anything interesting? Get to spend time with friends?” instead of “How did you do on the math test?” 2. Resist the urge to correct the errors in your child’s homework. It’s your child’s work, not…
Details
Guest article from Joann Riggio, MFT I am a Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in San Mateo, specializing in Couples Therapy. A common challenge I see couples experiencing is feeling disconnected from their partner. Couples are trying to manage work, finances, family, and relationships. These demands can be exhausting and it may feel like it’s impossible…
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.