Sometimes we can forget that kids are people too and that their thoughts, ideas and feelings are just as valid as ours. They are individuals that deserve just as much respect as anyone else. Really? Yes. This is the idea behind cooperative/respectful parenting, or at least my idea of it. Is this really necessary? To…
Deep down, I think many kids are looking for something more meaningful, real, and challenging than what they are experiencing. I think they are looking for a real sense of competence and ownership over their own lives. But they are growing up overmanaged, oversupported, and anxious because of it. I know adults can relate. How…
Dear frustrated parent, So, things aren’t going so well and you’re struggling. You’d like to be more skillful, less volatile perhaps. You’d definitely like it to be easier. Good news! Parenting can be learned, and in fact, it should be. There’s no shame in the game. We were never taught how to parent. So don’t…
Parents mean the best. We try to do the right thing. We try hard to help our kids. Today’s parents are doing more and more for their children. Sometimes children need space to do their own thing. It turns out that sometimes less is more. How can too much help and support be a bad…
There are 3 things I have found that when paid attention to, dramatically improve the parenting experience. They improve the effectiveness and the enjoyment of whole experience. 1. Self Awareness: Coming to know yourself, your emotional state, and where you are most likely to get emotionally triggered will allow you to sidestep many power struggles.…
Read more 3 Things You Can do Now to Step-up Your Parenting Game
“You have to be like Superman to your kids. They need to think you can do anything. You always need to come across as capable and in control.” Man to man, Dad to dad, this was the wisdom my Uncle to passed on to me a few years ago. I look at Dadding a little…
This is letter is in response to a parent looking for some help on dealing with a disrespectful child. For me, there was no bigger step I could have taken than reevaluating my view of my child. That’s what this one letter is about. Question: My 5 year old daughter disrespects me and doesn’t…
…continued from The Spiritual Side of Parenting Here it was. Here was the recipe. I had dug deep and unearthed some important truths. I had found the way to my alignment and the way to true success as a parent, and beyond. But unlike my favourite brownie recipe, this recipe was harder to follow and…
I didn’t anticipate this or purposefully lay any groundwork for any sort of spiritual growth, or any other growth in parenting. It just sort of happened. Parenting, for me, has been a challenge. And it was out of this challenge that I found an opportunity for growth. Becoming a parent was a game changer. It…
Grandparents can be eager to help, advise and consult with regard to how their grandchildren are being raised. Sometimes this is not a fit if the philosophy that the new parent has chosen is different from how the grandparent parented. Here is something I wrote to help navigate the process of grown children…
Read more Grandparent’s Guide for (Peacefully Parented) Grandchildren