Parents at Mid-Peninsula High School in Menlo Park, CA gathered tonight to learn how to communicate so teens will actually listen to them. As their speaker, i focused on my 3 Step Quick Coaching Process.:
Step 1: Stop Blocking Communication
Step 2: Listen Openly
Step 3: Discuss Ideas
The first key point from Step 1 is to understand the difference between an ally parenting approach and an adversarial parenting approach. .
- Develop a perspective as an ally rather than an adversary. You can also think of using a Soft Power parenting approach. An ally focuses on finding win/ win solutions. Emotions and thoughts of everyone are valued and listened to. The relationship is valued and nourished.. the parent thinks of his parenting approach from a lifelong perspective.
In contrast, the adversarial approach:
- An adversarial parent tries to create a win/lose objective where the parent wins and the child/teen loses. It is more of a Hard Power Approach. Emotions and thoughts of the child are ignored. The quality of the parent-child relationship is not a priority. The adults have a more immediate view where getting what they want becomes the goal.
More to come of what parents learned at the parent education night at Mid-Peninsula High School.
Cynthia Klein is a certified parent educator since 1994. Find her at bridges2understanding.com and 650.341.0779. . Invite her to speak at your organization or contact her for a webinar or private coaching. She writes the Middle School Mom column for the magazine Parenting on the Peninsula.
Copyright © 2026, Cynthia Klein, All rights reserved. Please contact Cynthia to use any of her blog post.
About Cynthia Klein
Cynthia Klein’s mission is to contribute to World Peace and building healthy family relationships is the place to begin. As a parenting expert for over 30 years, parents have learned from Cynthia how to communicate more effectively as an ally rather than an adversary. Her unique Family Harmony System teaches parents of 5 and older how to have open dialogue, solve problems together, support one another, and build mutual respect. Cynthia is the author of Ally Parenting and the video-based self-paced program Win, Win, Win, Parenting. She has presented over 700 talks and coached hundreds of parents privately towards greater family connection and harmony. To learn more about her services of coaching and speaking, contact Cynthia Klein at , visit her website at bridges2understanding.com.
