Ahhh, dinner battles. Or for some parents, mealtime struggles. You know the routine: "Sit down. Two more bites. Close your mouth. Chew please. Sit back down. No dessert. That wasn't a bite. Don't spit out your food like that. Chew please. Stop bugging your brother. Sit down." Now, take a deep breath. Close your eyes and imagine your family nicely seated around the table. Everyone is polite and calm. You discuss … [Read more...] about How to End Dinner Battles
From Acorn to Oak
10 “Permission Slips” for Parents to Sign
A permission slip is a small piece of paper where someone (usually a parent/caregiver) gives someone else (a kid) permission to do something. If you have children in school, you are probably familiar with these small slips of paper. But a permission slip is not just for school. As parents, we need to give ourselves permission too. Brené Brown shares this strategy in her Dare to Lead programs. She focuses … [Read more...] about 10 “Permission Slips” for Parents to Sign
A Good Enough Parent: Having the Courage to Be Imperfect
You are good enough, even when the voice in your head (you know, that mean inner critic) tells you differently. Pre-kids you prepare and research everything. You watch how other parents raise their children and reminisce on your own childhood. You take mental notes of how you will do it differently...or "better." And then suddenly you're knee deep in diapers, toys and schedules. Maybe you're attempting to … [Read more...] about A Good Enough Parent: Having the Courage to Be Imperfect
Creating Family Values
When starting at a new company, they present you with the mission, vision and values of the company. The purpose is to give a full picture of the expectations and culture of the organization. Doing so lets you, the employee, (and the consumer) know what is important to the business. Value statements aren't intended just for large corporations. In fact, small business can benefit from value statements. … [Read more...] about Creating Family Values
3 Road Blocks to Parenting Success
From the moment you become a parent, the love you have for another human is indescribable. There is joy, hope and awe. And intertwined with those positive feelings are exhaustion, fear, angst, frustration and overwhelm. The responsibilities of parenthood are overwhelming. You are now a leader guiding a young life to adulthood. It's exhilarating and terrifying. And as you try to be the best parent you can … [Read more...] about 3 Road Blocks to Parenting Success
Sitting in Discomfort: How to allow ALL feelings
How do you feel when your child hits, kicks, cries, whines or yells? They are expressing difficult emotions. It makes sense to want to stop the behavior, but what are we accomplishing in the process? Of course we want the annoying behavior to end but in doing so we send a concerning message: "I'm not okay with your uncomfortable feeling." Managing your uncomfortable feelings Anger. Anxiety. Jealousy. Sadness. … [Read more...] about Sitting in Discomfort: How to allow ALL feelings
