The Supporter Parenting Role: The “Boredom Problem” Example Child: “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” Potential parent responses: “What do you mean you’re bored and there’s nothing to do? You can help me fold the laundry, play with your sister, or read.” “I buy you all of these toys, and you just ignore them.” “When…
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Several of my client’s children struggle with anxiety stemming from fears of what might happen. It’s important to note: anxiety can plague children no matter what age they are. This can lead to rigidity and resistance to change even though they will enjoy the next activity. Anxiety is complicated, and it is real. Recently, I …
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One thing that both children and parents experience alike, is fear. A main challenge I hear from parents is how to listen to their fearful child without their own fears preventing them from being the supportive parent their child needs. Fear Is Normal To begin the process of guiding your child through fear, be aware…
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A.K.A…How to Follow the Ally Road to Family Collaboration There are numerous forks in the road while you are having a conflict with your child. At each fork, you make decisions about how you will think and act. You can choose the adversarial road that escalates the conflict, or the ally road that deescalates the…
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I was the youngest of three kids and the only girl in my family. What I remember most from my childhood is saying, “Mommy, Peter’s picking on me!” One time, I got so angry with my older brother that I chased him with a pair of scissors and stabbed his bedroom door as he slammed…
DetailsI’m a divorced mom of a 9 year-old daughter and 7 year-old son. I contacted Cynthia for private parenting coaching due to challenges with my 9-year-old daughter. My daughter often complained about her younger brother and needed constant validation that I loved her just as much as her brother. She would frequently get upset, say…
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Listening with Empathy Leads to Daughter’s Optimistic Thinking Below is a letter written to me by a client of mine: Corey. She had a breakthrough with her daughter, (one of two children, ages 7 & 9)…and wanted to share it with us. Hi everyone, My daughter, Beth, is 9 and very strong-willed which can lead…
DetailsKnowing how to support each other emotionally and then solve problems together, is a vital element of parenting as a team. In my previous blog, The First Step to a Successful Parenting Team, I stressed the importance of using the Collaborative Problem-Solving Process to find solutions together. Because this article explores the third step, Discuss…
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Effective team parenting is a key ingredient for a happy relationship between two parents… Remember, you both love your children and you both want the best for them. Stress and conflict arise, though, when you have different views on what raising them looks like and how to best accomplish this goal. It’s important to learn…
DetailsBuilding Self-Esteem and Personal Power – Online Class presented by Cynthia Klein from Parents Place Thursday, May 17, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PST Online, $25 Discover the 4 main qualities to develop in your children for high self-esteem. Then, learn ways you are strengthening their self-perception and ways you may be weakening their self-perception.…
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.