Michael Riera has amazing knowledge about teenagers. I highly recommend his book Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers. Here is part 1 of 2 parts of a brief summary of his book. From Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers by Michael Riera, Ph.D Writer and psychologist Theodore Lidz, gives a well-rounded description of the adolescent…
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I’m reading a marvelous book for parents of teens titled 7 Things Your Teenager Won’t Tell You — And How to Talk About them Anyway by Jenifer Lippincott and Robin Deutsch, Ph.D. The first fundamental principle to to make a promise to keep the conversation going. I have been talking about this for years. I…
DetailsBuilding Connections: These beliefs and actions build greater understanding and connections between parents and children. How much are you creating connection? My parenting actions are based on the belief that “I am emotionally and physically available” for my child as much as possible. Connection Comes First. The relationship between me and my child is more…
DetailsBuilding Connections: These beliefs and actions build greater understanding and connections between parents and children. How much are you creating connection? Children’s basic nature is to love their parents. When they misbehave they are feeling disconnected and can’t think clearly, they lack maturity or could be trying to reach a goal through negative means. The…
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Dad Focuses on What’s Really Important: What’s going on with my son rather than what needs to be done. I was experiencing power struggles with my 4 year-old son especially when we were in a time crunch. I would start rushing him and giving him commands to “do it now.” This approach only caused him…
DetailsWhat is your vision of a peaceful home? What does it feel like, sound like and look like? Take a moment to think about your vision. Perhaps in your more peaceful home your kids get along better, perhaps they don’t dawdle in the morning so much or perhaps you are more patient and calm. I…
DetailsChildren always need unconditional love. They especially need to feel this from adults when they are judging themselves so fiercely during the middle school years. The middle school years were a pivotal time for my daughter and me. What my daughter needed from me was unconditional love. She was experiencing the developmentally appropriate inner turmoil…
DetailsLeah Davies has done a great job describing 8 areas of Emotional Intelligence learning in the classroom. This is also important information for parents. Perhaps parents could encourage EI training in school? Emotional Intelligence: An Essential Component of Education By Leah Davies, M.Ed. Why do people with high Intelligence Quotients (IQs) sometimes fail and…
DetailsI am such a strong proponent of the need for and value of developing Emotional Intelligence in our children. But this starts with the adults developing their own intelligence before they can respond with wisdom to their children. Here is an article published in the Applied Psychology, Health and Well-Being Journal on Nov. 28, 2011…
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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…
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.