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)…
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Dad Stays Quiet So Teen Daughter Talks More… Below is a message from one of my clients who (after starting the program mentioned below) saw a dramatic shift in the dynamic between parent and child… Cynthia, My wife and I started the month-long Accelerated Wisdom Program with Cynthia… We came primarily to open up communication…
DetailsParents desire to have loving relationships with their children so they will be trusted and their children will seek them out for support and advice. While teaching my parenting classes, it becomes clear that well-meaning parents are resorting to ineffective punishment strategies, which hurt the relationship, because they just don’t know what else to do.…
DetailsDear Cynthia, You have made me aware of how to listen to my 12 year-old son carefully and not diminish his feelings. In some ways I feel like I am really listening to him for the first time. I regret all the time I spent not listening to him. There are years of miscommunication to…
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Here is a great post from Girls Leadership. It supports the listening and problem solving skills that I teach moms and dads. Pop Quiz: Who does a teen girl turn to first when she’s feeling low on courage? If you guessed friends, you’d be wrong. The answer was moms. Surprised? So were we. In Girls…
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Every fall, the organization Challenge Success located on the Stanford campus has an amazing event for parents I go every year and I encourage you to go as well. Register on their website. Friday, September 25th7:00 – 9:00 pm Memorial Auditorium | 551 Serra Mall, Stanford University Open to the Public | Adults: $10 Students:…
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Posted August 18, 2015 | by Madeline Levine | Posted in Courageous Parenting I received this post in the Challenge Success Back to School Newsletter A new school year is about to begin. First, we need to get over the lingering regret about what we didn’t accomplish — the closets that remain unkempt, the books…
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When kids don’t cooperate with you, it’s easy to take it personally as though they are against you. I call this response the “parent’s victim mentality.” When you see yourself as a victim, you think your kids are acting against you-that you are the target of their behavior. You may think, “They are being disrespectful…
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A successful family to me is one where all members feel respected and accepted. Cooperation is built because of emotional connection and a commitment to developing healthy relationships. As a result, family members can discuss concerns and solve problems together. When parents need to direct children towards more socially acceptable behavior, it is done with teaching…
DetailsMy husband and I have an eighteen year-old son who feels like I’m constantly worrying about him. As a result, I get over controlling and my son doesn’t want to be a mamma’s boy. I decided I needed help from Cynthia to stop the worrying and to improve my communication skills. A key skill I…
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.