Coaching as a Tool for Raising a Confident Kid

Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve. – Roger Lewin Coaching can be a powerful way to help our children become more self-aware while understanding their thoughts and feelings and how they impact their behavior choices. It can also give them valuable practice in problem solving and responsible decision …

A Family’s Emotional Safety Plan

Do not teach your children never to be angry; teach them how to be angry. – Lyman Abbott As the temperature gauge slightly rises outdoors allowing us to shed our winter layers, our emotional temperature gauge shoots even higher in anticipation of the much-craved heat to come. From elation to frustration, we are working and …

“Made by Raffi”: A Story of a Kid Who’s Different

At some point, every child will experience the feeling of being different. From hobby interests to gender identity, some children will have a more intense experience of not being like the rest. And all children encounter others who are different. How will they view those contrasts? Will they be able to see the unique richness …

Elements of a Confident Kid…Kindness

: of a sympathetic or helpful nature 1 About Kindness It is said that at the root of kindness is compassion. Compassion has to do simultaneously with how we feel about and care for ourselves and how we feel about and care for one another. When you walk into another family’s house, there is typically a …

Empathy, Kids and Nature

We must widen… “our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” – Albert Einstein “Feed the birds, Mom. Don’t forget today,” E tells me with fervor on one of the last freezing cold days of Winter while the birds chirped longingly for Spring. He heard them …

Feedback That Leads to Change

Feedback is the breakfast of champions. – Ken Blanchard I walked out of my front door, hot tea in hand and a light jacket, on the first sunny, balmy 55 degree day signaling the beginning of Spring. I took a breath of fresh air as I examined the tulips that were sprouting just a half an …

Elements of a Confident Kid… Service Minded

– noticing others or environmental needs, feeling empathy and desiring a role in contributing to their or its well-being. About being service minded A service-minded person is both self and socially aware. She must know her own strengths and limitations. She sees what contributions she can make and how they relate to other’s unmet needs. …

Stop, Think, Go!

If you have a problem, don’t muddle through. Here’s a simple rap about what to do. Stop, calm down before you act. You’ll think more clearly – that’s a fact. Say the problem and how you feel. Set a positive goal (and try to be real). Now for some “brainy” contributions, make out a list …

Elements of a Confident Kid… Sincerity

– honesty of mind :  freedom from hypocrisy1 About Sincerity: Who “To be or not to be? That is the question.” Though Shakespeare questioned the choice of existence, the question of our authenticity may be just as important and fundamental. Psychologists have made numerous distinctions over the years attempting to define our sense of self. …

Seize the Moment – Random Acts of Kindness Week

Once there was a tree and she loved a little boy… – The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein When my son E turned seven in September, we hosted a party with all of his friends at our local park. I created a treasure hunt with clues hidden behind the many trees so that children could …