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 parenting approaches.
- Not blocking
- Very useful info and easy to apply by stopping and thinking before responding, then using responses that are more productive to a good relationship with my teen.
- Be aware of blocks
- As a male: stop the block!
- Don’t block; lose sarcasm; listen and affirm the emotion.
- I like the “listen openly” suggestions.
- I’ve struggled with this and learned the techniques to use without “blocking” questions.
- Very relevant examples and you recognize that what works for one child/family won’t work with others.
- Stop blocking.
- It’s great learning to connect with my teen without blocking the conversation and develop two way dialogue with respect and love.
- Learned practical application of wind-sun, My favorite way of approaching all comments.
- Part 2 is harder than part 1 and this is where the most learning can take place.
- Me-tooism and placating (are communication blocks)
- Learned how to be more sensitive to my child’s feelings.
- Placating and me-tooism, not to do.
- Learned to connect with my teen.
- Stop blocking, listen openly, discuss.
- Connect, don’t control.
- Be an ally not an adversary.
- Listening openly, not blocking.
- Listen, don’t command.
- Great ideas for communicating effectively. I especially liked thinking about allowing my son to experience mistakes, problem solving, pain and even suffering.
- Not blocking and ally parenting.
- This workshop was great. It gave me some wonderful ideas of how to approach my teen.
- Paying attention to what, how, when, exchanging words with teens.
- The 3 steps.
- Realization: The skills I learned today allow me to be better equipped in talking and working with my son
How are you doing with keeping lines of communication open with your teenager so problems can be solved together?
©2013 Cynthia Klein has been a Certified Parent Educator since 1994. She works with dads, moms and organizations who want more cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between adults and children of all ages. Cynthia presents her expertise through speaking, webinars, and private parent coaching sessions. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and writes the Middle School Mom column for the magazine Parenting on the Peninsula. Contact Cynthia at bridges 2 understanding, bridges2understa.wpstagecoach.com or call 650. 341.0779.
