Strengthening Relationships
12 ways to be present for your childWebsite
Quote from the article: "I think about how things are both easier and harder than ever for those of us raising children. Sure, we have all the modern-day amenities that spoil many of us rotten. But, at the same time, things are harder. The distractions, the too-much to do epidemic and the burn out from so much work and so little breaks...Many mamas are married but their spouses work away from the home for weeks or several months at a time. This is married single parenting. In my own family, my husband is gone 11 hours a day with zero flexibility to change that or his two-hour commute each day. There are single parents parenting 24/7 more than ever. And the expectations of parents and how we raise our kids are greater than ever. Add to that that many of us live several hundred miles away from any relatives so that sweet little safety net families used to rely on years ago is now non-existent for so many, which only contributes to the burnout and exhaustion parents are feeling all over. Perhaps we can blame this on how our schools are not functioning at the highest level they could. And so there’s no wonder so many families feel disconnected. None of this is easy stuff to cope with and none of it makes raising children easier. Which is why I am so passionate about my work here helping you actually be more connected despite all the struggles — and the chaos. We all have struggles. We all suffer. We are all tired — some more than others. So, I’m offering this list 12 ways to be a present for your child because I am confident I will need these reminders as much as you tomorrow or the day after that or the week after that" Connection begins with YOUWebsite
Quote from the article: "What we know today is that children who do well in life have parents who have taken some time to make sense out of their own lives. As a parent, exploring where you come from and finding answers to why you are the way you are arms you with the understanding, emotional sensibility, and healing we all need to mature into the individuals we want to be, and, into the kind of parents we promised ourselves we’d be. Being a Mindful Parent does require some time looking through the family microscope. But I assure you, this is not an examination of assigning blame, but of gathering information. The more you know about you, the more attuned and empathic a parent you will be. This process will help you understand why you repeatedly do the very things you swore you would never do, just as it will allow you to see all the things that you want to pass on. I call these family patterns, ‘family heirlooms.’ What we experience as children: observe, hear, and sense, becomes wired into our central nervous system in our earliest years, and “Ta Da!” we have wiring we have no intention of repeating, and yet we do." - (Pilar Placone, Ph.D) Repairing the ConnectionWebsite
Quote from the article "A parent and child can experience several conflicts a day and there are times when all parents become overly stressed, impatient and annoyed towards their child. In situations where the parent’s anger explodes and they vent their anger at their child, this can be very traumatic for children; they can feel attacked, overwhelmed, trapped and confused. They will likely feel the full force of that anger and it definitely needs a lot of conscious repairing. If not repaired, the child will unconsciously develop defense mechanisms that help them cope at the time, yet they pay a high price for in other areas of their life, their their learning and ability to relate patiently in relationships in general. For more detailed support in learning to avoid exploding in anger, this teleseminar audio has been immensely beneficial to so many parents." |
Understanding your child's love languageWebsite
Quote from the article: "These last two weeks, have been amazing to witness. I’ve watched her blossom. She’s more confident, more daring, more independent than ever before. The secret you ask? We found our common love language. Quality Time. Nothing says, “I love you”, like full, undivided attention. I didn’t even know love had a language ’til Zina mentioned the concept to me during one of our weekly phone chats. It didn’t occur to me I could apply it like this until we stumbled on to the answer unknowingly. Once we made the connection, it was obvious. We had found our way to communicate our love for one another in a way we both could feel. My primary love language is touch. I let my children know how much I care by showering them with hugs and kisses, cuddling on the couch, and tickling their back at night before bed. My daughter’s first love language, though, is all about positive affirmations. Neither of those things come naturally to the other one of us, and as a result we kept missing our chance to connect on a meaningful level. Sure, I praise her often, and she hugs me, at times, but it takes effort on both our parts to make it happen, and on days when it doesn’t go as well as we would have hoped – we both end up feeling hurt and rejected. Now I can see and understand why." - (Stacy Teet of Kids Stuff World) 10 Ways to communicate with a ToddlerWebsite
Quote from the article: "Did you know that toddlers and preschoolers can solve their own problems? Yes, it is true! With the help and guidance of us grown ups, who often are too quick to offer solutions without giving children the opportunity to come up with a solution on their own, they just might be able to do it. They just might surprise us. The best part is that they can develop important life skills of problem solving and decision making. Not to mention, they will feel capable and independent." |