Guilt seems to be an intrinsic part of parenting today. We can easily fall into patterns of making ourselves feel guilty through questioning choices and self-talk. Do you find yourself questioning whether you make good decisions, if you are a good enough parent, and whether you are cut out for this job? Guilt shows up…
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How do we know what is right and what is wrong when it comes to raising our children? Many times, parents that I talk with are trying to find the “right” answer, the prescription for raising children. Life would be so easy if there were a simple prescription to this very challenging job called parenting.…
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When our bodies speak to us, we need to listen. We are physically governed by so many outside forces in our lives. We stop at stop signs, without even thinking about it, wait in lines to pay for things, pay bills on time, and tend to our phones when they buzz. Basically, we follow the…
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When I think about childhood today, as opposed to when my children were young, I am overwhelmed by the changes. Back then, playtime meant something different than what it means today. For my children, playtime meant to go in the backyard and play with toys, use your imagination to make up games, and enjoy the…
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Have you ever walked around your home complaining about yourself? Do you tend to talk negatively when you refer to your behavior, body, attitude, and so on? Negative self-talk is rampant in our society today. There is so much pressure to live up to a certain image, an image of “perfection,” in which we constantly…
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When I was young, I remember our mealtime very clearly. We sat together at 6 pm every single night, all 6 of us: my parents, 3 siblings, and me. My mom and dad began the meal by passing food around, as we all helped ourselves. After that, children were seen at the table but not…
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Being a grandparent is one of the most exciting roles in my life. If you are a grandparent, perhaps you would agree. However, it is a challenge for me to be a grandparent and not share my knowledge and wisdom of parenting that I gained through experience and in my work in the field of…
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Sadly, there is quite a bit of dysfunction in many families. What I mean by that is impairment in the function of a system, the family system. In my practice as a parent coach and educator, I often hear parents talk about the dysfunction that they grew up in with their own families. Many times…
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Tune In and Tone Down. No matter what the age of your child, when you make a change or do something different, it affects the dynamics of the relationship. For example, if you are one to raise your voice very quickly when things get out of hand, the more you become aware of your emotions…
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Many people ask me how they can incorporate a small mindfulness practice into a busy life. We are all on the hamster wheel of life, but creating time for this type of practice is invaluable. With this in mind, I want to share 10 easy practices that will help you be more mindful in your…
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