Rather than viewing teenage girls challenging behaviors as negative, try to step back and view them as developing into being a young woman. Here are the developmental tasks they are working on. Teenage Girls’ Developmental Tasks 1. Physical maturation « Mood swings from hormonal changes which can cause them to act on impulse. « Their…
Details
I completed a 2 session parenting class at Stanford University today titled Supporting Your Teen. The Stanford Work/Life office provides talks and workshops for their employees. This was my 16th talk on campus. 30 parents attended. Here are quotes from the parents of new skills learned and comments about the class. Recognizing adversarial versus ally…
Details
Why is listening so important? What is all the fuss about? Most parents want to correct their children when they are doing something “wrong” such as saying they don’t like someone. Imagine a world where children were not corrected consistently. Perhaps they would grow up feeling valued and that they actually had something important to…
Details
On February 6, 2013 I taught an amazing group of parents at Parents Place in Palo Alto, CA. about the connection between emotions and problem solving. We cannot problem solve until we acknowledge and try to understand our children’s emotions. Many parents want to be logical with their children. When their children are upset, they…
DetailsThis is an excerpt from the book A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays by Daisaku Ikeda. The essay title is Raising Children, pg. 32 The positive influence of skillful parents is shown in the life of Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb, the phonograph, and many hundreds of other items we use every…
Details
I see life as a continuous journey of developing my emotional intelligence. Relationships blossom when people emotionally connected. I believe parents play a large part in their children’s emotional development by how proficient they are in listening to and empathizing with their children. This requires parents own continual self-reflection and self-improvement. Daniel Goleman, the author…
DetailsHoward Gardner’s definition of intelligence A biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture. “This modest change in wording is important because it suggests that intelligences are not things that can be seen or counted. Instead,…
DetailsHow Are You Smart? Here is an easy way to start thinking about your multiple intelligences based on Howard Gardner’s theory. Please note that this is not an authorized evaluation. Just to have fun. Based on Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences (Adult version) Rate yourself with the scale below for the following statements Rarely…
Details
In my teen webinar series, week 1, we discussed how we need to shift our inflexible thinking to flexible thinking in order to be able to problem solve together with kids. When we stay stuck, then the wall goes up between us and our kids. No solutions can be found. It is up to parents…
Details
Today I started my 7 week webinar series. Is My Teen Crazy or Am I? Be the Anchor in Their Storm. Everyone is going to make amazing changes. Continual growth happens when you learn new skills and you practice so you can replace old and ineffective habits. Our theme is Embrace Your Teen. One topic…
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.