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…
DetailsHelp your child own the plan – Involve your child as much as possible in designing the plan. This gives her thinking brain a chance to grow and to feel powerful over her life. Listen to her ideas and use them as much as possible. Develop a plan that works for your child, not you…
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Here is a story from a dad, whom I worked with, who struggled with getting his 8 year-old daughter up in the morning. I have struggled like many dads with getting my 8 year-old daughter up and to school on time. I took a parenting class and private coaching with Cynthia and started making morning changes…
DetailsFinding 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…
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The first step in creating your family’s electronics use guidelines is to start a family discussion about your family’s current electronics use. This discussion should include children talking about parents’ use of electronics as well as parents talking about children’s. The purpose of the discussion and resulting guidelines is to create greater family harmony, cooperation,…
DetailsI 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…
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.