connection Archives - Sound Discipline

28Feb 2013 by Pase Garrett

Preparing Ground for Resiliency

Connection and love, Growing Responsibility, Self regulation, Tips & Tools

One thing people with resilience have in common is a supportive network. You are your child’s first and most important “network of support.” You establish the ground from which they can learn, take risks, make mistakes and come back to safety. With solid ground beneath them children have more ability to overcome challenges.

14Feb 2013 by Pase Garrett

Love. Attention or Connection?

Connection and love, Tips & Tools

We all long for the feeling that we are connected: that we belong and that we matter. When children (out of awareness) get the sense that they are no longer in that great big web of belonging, when we are busy being busy, when we are in a hurry, then they try for the closest substitute for connection that they know - attention.

28Nov 2012 by Pase Garrett

Why Do They Misbehave When We Are in a Hurry?

Conflict, Connection and love, Self-care, Tips & Tools

Misbehavior isn’t random. You already know that. Kids often misbehave at very inconvenient times! It happens particularly when we, the parent figures, are in a hurry. It is a consistent (and predictable) pattern. Are they out to “get” you? Well, yes and no. They are not out to “get” you in the sense that you will be bothered, annoyed, trapped or otherwise challenged. They are out to “get” you in the sense that they are seeking a connection with you.

20Nov 2011 by Pase Garrett

A (more) Connected Thanksgiving

Connection and love, Growing Responsibility, Routines, Tips & Tools

What would happen if the focus for Thanksgiving were less on the “production” and more on “connection?” What if the meal didn’t have to turn out exactly as expected but the family at the table told great stories or even stories that had never been heard before? What if you learned about Grandpa’s trip across the country, or how Aunt Ruth was the first person in the family to go to college? What if at the end of the day you felt closer to the people you define as family?

18Nov 2011 by Pase Garrett

Connection, connection, connection

Connection and love, Tips & Tools

Children who feel connection at home and school were protected from emotional distress and suicidal thoughts or attempts. Connection protected against violent behavior as well as cigarette, alcohol, or marijuana use; and it protected against early sexual activity.

02May 2011 by Pase Garrett

Building Better Bedtimes

Growing Responsibility, Mutual Respect, Routines, Tips & Tools

Contributed by Jody McVittie, MD

Do you ever finish putting your children to bed and feel exhausted? You’ve longed for some kind of connection with them at the end of the day – and way too often it feels like you’ve been through some kind of battle? When you think about it from the child’s point of view it can make sense.

When he goes to bed it feels like you will be continuing on without him. He might miss something! To make matters worse, sometimes he gets the sense that you are “done” with him and want to “get …