20Oct 2013 by Pase Garrett

Making Space for Awareness

Self regulation, Tips & Tools
Ever have one of those evenings where you go to bed and wonder where the day went wrong? You know that the kids were not on their best behavior but also have the sinking feeling inside that you weren’t the exactly best role model either. It can be uncomfortable to admit that despite your best efforts you aren’t always the parent you want to be. Most of us have parenting moments like that – where the parent who can listen, or set clear limits, or be patient has disappeared some where and this other human being shows up to take our place. Ick.
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18Oct 2011 by Pase Garrett

The compasses and maps of parenting

Science and parenting, Tips & Tools

Contributed by Melanie Miller, M.Ed.

I had the recent opportunity to take my daughter and her friends orienteering. Orienteering is where you use a map, compass and your powers of observation to navigate through a course of pre-set checkpoints. It’s a great way to explore the outdoors, discover new hikes and learn some map and compass skills. At each checkpoint, you study your map, set your compass and begin the trek to next check point, watching for landmarks along the way.

As we moved along the trail, I thought about my own parenting and what might be my parenting compass; …

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07Mar 2011 by Pase Garrett

Parenting with the Body in Mind

Feelings and emotions, Science and parenting, Self regulation, Tips & Tools
We sure hear a lot these days about the brain – and brain science. When we hear the word “brain” most of us think of the soft stuff that is inside our skull. That is, in fact, our “brain.” But it turns out that our body is not just the thing that carries our brain around. Human nervous systems are incredibly complex and there is a lot of information exchanged between the brain and the rest of the body. We can use this information to help ourselves and to help our kids.
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25Jan 2011 by Pase Garrett

Whose problem is it anyway?

Tips & Tools
One of the many little posters my parenting instructor used read, “Whose problem is it, anyway?” He tried to teach us to recognize which problems were ours (as parents) and which problems really “belonged” to the children.
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06Dec 2010 by Pase Garrett

Sibling Conflict…Can any Good Come of This?

Mutual Respect, Tips & Tools
As you prepare for the winter break and memorable family time; perhaps stuck in your house because of wet, cold weather, running out of activities to keep the kids occupied, counting the days until school starts again…..What will your children be learning from each other? Use the normal conflict of daily life to teach your children important life skills.
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08Nov 2010 by Pase Garrett

Now Listen here Young Lady !!!!!!

Feelings and emotions, Setting limits, Tips & Tools

Contributed by Melanie Miller, M.Ed., Certified Positive Discipline Trainer and School Counselor

Back talk, eye rolling, the glare, the, “Oh mom how can you be so stupid look”…. As our children grow older, their vocabulary has grown and their words, attitude and eye rolling can dig a little deeper. The next time the disrespect comes your way consider this…

Why Kids do it: • Maintain dignity: think they have been treated unfairly and “need” to defend themselves, • Claiming and testing their power (who am I really?), • Don’t know how to respectfully disagree, • To connect with you, • …

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