We give our children verbal and non verbal messages about themselves; their value, their abilities and the world in which they live. Are you aware of the messages you are giving to your children? Are they the messages you want to give? If you would like some support on …
7 Ways to Enrich Your Children’s Self-Esteem
1. WORK ON YOUR OWN SELF-ESTEEM: It is hard to give our children what we do not have ourselves. Our words do not teach. It is what you model and children experience that become their truth. 2. TAKE YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE STUFF THAT ANNOYS OR WORRIES YOU: …
10 Best Practices for Encouraging Positive Behavior
1. Set up consistent, predictable routines. Be careful not to confuse this with being rigid. You are aiming for a safe and nurturing environment where children know what to expect. 2. Have clear, consistent, age appropriate expectations. Children will push, test and manipulate when boundaries are inconsistent or …
We Are The Role Models
In recent days there have been many reactions to a mom who blogged that her family was ‘canceling Christmas’ because her children’s recent behavior was disrespectful and entitled. During an interview with “Good Morning America” the children agreed that they were hitting, fighting and even having tantrums and when asked …
Ditch the But
One of the quickest ways to ‘kill’ a relationship is to utter these three words: “I understand but…” To say that you understand how another feels, thinks or perceives and to follow it with an immediate ‘but’ is to erase any of the connections that come from understanding. A true …
Parents Must Model Wanted Behavior
When children feel threatened their ‘lower’ brain immediately responds with a fight, flight or freeze reaction. It is vital that parents not take these responses personally. When your child runs away from you, fights back or just gives you a blank stare it is an indication that their lower brain …
Is Your Child An Empath?
Children who are labeled as ‘highly sensitive,’ ‘intense reactors,’ or ‘overly emotional,’ may actually be empaths. Parents who have never experienced what it feels like to take in the overload of energy that constantly surrounds us are likely to misunderstand their empathic child’s behavior. In the same way that we …
Getting Kids to Talk
Parents often lament that their children don’t talk to them and when they do they give one word answers, “Fine.” “Nothing.” When children are little they jabber freely, sharing their thoughts, questions, desires, needs, feelings and vivid imaginations. Many times adults meet this outpouring of their inner world with condescendence, …
Our Inner Little Girl
We still carry our little girls around inside of us and our physical, emotional and spiritual history sometimes gets in the way of being the mother we dreamed of being. Moms are just little girls who grew into a bigger body. Becoming a mom is a rite of passage that …
Natural and Logical Consequences
We all make choices and engage in behavior that creates the next experience. Consequences should not be used as punishments~ They need to be: • Naturally or Logically connected to the behavior • Known in advance when possible • Given in a firm but calm voice • Easy to apply and …
Judgement to Joy
We were sitting in a restaurant when I noticed the young couple in the corner. They were snuggling and kissing and just plain lovin’ each other. My initial thought was that it seemed inappropriate, but I realized if I stopped judging I would free myself to enjoy their sweet energy. …
Getting Them to Talk
Parents sometimes lament that their children don’t talk to them and when they do they give one word answers, “Fine.” “Nothing.” When children are little they jabber freely, sharing their thoughts, questions, desires, needs, feelings and vivid imaginations. Many times adults meet this outpouring of their inner world with condescendence, …
Redefining Discipline
The reason using emotionally healthy discipline is hard is because PARENTS MUST DISCIPLINE THEMSELVES and model the very behavior wanted from the children. Listen to our MP3, “Redefining Discipline” to learn more about this very important topic.
The Gift of Understanding
Have you ever savored a moment when you were understood and appreciated as a unique and precious human being? Do you remember how pleasant it felt not to have to please anyone or complete a task and just rejoice in the freedom of being yourself? With all the pressures of …
Lit With Joy
I can’t get this question out of my mind: “When your children walk into the room do your eyes light up with joy?” I work with so many parents and grandparents who search for ways to enrich their children’s self esteem. I usually suggest they stop noticing what the kids …
Ten Successful People Who Struggled In School
As the new school year quickly approaches many parents feel a knot in their stomach as they begin to worry about the challenges their kids will face. While many successful people were top students, there are famous intelligent, creative folks who struggled with the demands of school. They became some …
Mind Chatter
You do not want your children to behave well because they fear you. You want them to make good choices because it feels good, because they want to and because they are in their own power when they do so. YOUR WORK is to shift the mind-chatter that takes their …
Your Children Mirror Your Inner World
Our children can feel our energy. They take in our stress, our fears, our joy, our love. It travels through their bodies, their hearts, their minds and comes out in their behavior. What is your child’s behavior telling you about yourself? If there is anything you would like to change …