Parent Stories and Tips
PARENTING APART TIP: Avoid using court-based language with kids
Words can be very powerful. Do your kids a favor and avoid using legal terms like “visit” and “visitation.” Instead talk about time with Mom & time with Dad or Mom’s house/Dad’s house. Regardless of how time is spent between households, allow children the opportunity to have two homes. Remember even through your relationship has…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP: Blended family life-help kids feel connected and respected
When merging families focus on helping each member of your newly formed family feel connected and respected. Create a sense of belonging by having special space for each child. Even if you can’t give each child their own room, do what you can to provide a dedicated place for personal items so when kids are…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP – Discipline differences
“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr. When differences come up don’t undermine the other parent’s authority by making critical comments or offering judgement. Instead agree to disagree. Send a message to kids that respecting parents is important. Even though you may not…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP – Kids and feelings
Most of us have emotions that we connect with more easily than others. Your children are no different. Often kids have a “default emotional response” especially when life is stressful or big changes are happening the family. This means that instead of showing us how scared or anxious they are, it may be easier for…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP – What will make them proud?
Years from now when your kids look back on this experience. What will make them proud about how you handled things? Remember raising kids is a marathon not a sprint. When I listen to children talk about their childhood, its not one event or thing that their parents did that stands out for them. Rather,…
Read MorePARENTING APART TIP: Making time to take time
There’s no doubt that the daily grind can seriously impact the quality of our relationship with kids. Whether you are rushing to get to school on time, hassling over homework or trying to get everyone into bed, it’s easy to slip into a pattern of being a full-time taskmaster. Pair that with your own list…
Read MoreGoing For The Gold – Staying Dedicated When Things Get Tough
“Know that you will most likely never receive an award or recognition for the most important things you do in life. ”Christina McGhee June 25, 2011 marked the start of the World Summer Games for the Special Olympics. Close to 7,500 athletes from 180 countries gathered in Athens, Greece to not only display their talents and…
Read MoreThe Making of a Masterpiece
“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.”Thomas Edison An “attitude of gratitude” has been a value that my husband and I have tried to instill in all of four of our children from the word go. We do our best to lead by example. Not only are we…
Read MoreHow To Help Teens Connect With The Positive
What made you smile today? Generally speaking I’m a pretty positive person. My credo is leave everything a little bit better than you found it–and that includes people. As a parent, I do my best to instill my kids with a positive outlook on life and encourage them to pass that energy along to others…
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