Nov. '23 Connective Parenting Lessons How to Resist the "Toughen Up Trap" Hello Reader, When I hear parents say, “My job is to prepare him to deal with the real world,” I hear a justification for traditional, authoritarian parenting, and I want to counter it to expose the moving parts. Because the family is not the place to train children to be tough so they’re ready for the big, bad world. Living in a family before launching independently into the world, is the place where one’s sense of...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Oct. '23 Connective Parenting Lessons It's Okay To Parent Differently Hello Reader, This month I'd like to discuss how to agree to disagree on the inevitably different parenting styles spouses have, while still connecting with mutual respect for one another. I know of no families where two spouses have exactly the same parenting style. And most are very different. Different parents from different backgrounds will inevitably see things differently. This can be perfectly okay as long as there...
over 1 year ago • 3 min read
Oct. '23 Connective Parenting Lessons Addressing Heightened Aggression in Children Hello Reader, In this month's lesson, I am addressing heightened aggression in children, what it reveals, and what parents can do about it both before it gets out of hand or after things have spiraled to the point of jepordized safety. Supporting kids who become aggressive early is the best practice for helping them find a path for positive communication strategies. If aggressive behviors are not properly...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Sept. '23 Connective Parenting Lessons The Power of Empathy Hello Reader, This month I'd like to share one mom's moving story about finding empathy within her eight year old boy's aggressive behavior. When she allowed her child to think and feel the way he needed without telling him what she thought he should do about it, she gained his trust and found out what was really troubling him. It took empathy and connection, but now they are in a place of honesty, safety, and love. I was simply...
over 1 year ago • 3 min read