Tag: Responsible decision-making

High Stakes Conversations

In a Complex World, How Can You Talk to your Children about Hot Button Issues? The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger – but recognize the opportunity.   –  John F. Kennedy When …

8 Positive Strategies for Guiding Your Child Through Their Teenage Years

By Guest Author, Amy Petrou Delighted to post today’s article from author Amy Petrou from Generation Mindful, an organization that supports families with toys and tools for building emotional intelligence, discussing some of the developmental themes of the teenage years and how parents and teens can work together through it all. As children enter their …

In Youth Connections Magazine… “Decisions, Decisions… How Can We Prepare Our Children to Make Responsible Choices?”

For the Youth Connections Magazine’s summer issue, we are discussing how you promote responsible decision-making skills in our children and teens. The article offers some guidance on children’s developing sense of what to base their choices on, how parents can support that development along with specific age/stage tips for promoting this essential life skill. Here’s …

Featured In “Youth Connections” Magazine… Guiding Children with Tools for Success —

Parenting with Social and Emotional Learning This article was written as part of a larger statewide awareness and educational campaign in Montana focused on parenting with social and emotional learning entitled “Parenting Montana” through the leadership of Montana State University’s Center for Health and Safety Culture. It begins… “What was that noise?” I asked my …

Viewing Parenting as Servant Leadership

“It is high time the ideal of success should be replaced by the ideal of service.” – Albert Einstein Parents, by the very nature of our roles, serve in a leadership position while we raise our children. A servant leader realizes that his or her ability to significantly influence others and achieve any vision comes …

Promoting Sibling Kindness For All Ages

…And Teaching Turn-Taking to Young Children “My child gets a new toy, shows it off and then rips it away telling her sibling, ‘No! You can’t play with it!’” “I want my children to feel grateful for her brothers and for their toys and our life together.” “If one has it, the other one wants …

Stop, Think, Go! Problem-Solving Practice for Your Family

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 …

Household Responsibilities – A Defensive Conversation and a Productive Conversation…

And Tools and Tips! It’s a Sunday afternoon. Mom and Dad have decided that at ten years of age their daughter, Molly, could be taking more responsibility for her contributions to the household. They attempt to set the stage. Mom puts out a snack for family members. She grabs a clipboard, paper, and marker to create …

The Language of Love for Our Children

The coming of Valentine’s Day seems an ideal time to write about one of the greatest, most enduring loves. No, I am not writing about romantic love. This is about our love for our children and how we express it. There are moments in our lives when we feel like bursting with love for our …

A New Children’s Book Series

For Promoting Social and Emotional Skills in the Home or Classroom Mandy is having a tough day because each friend or relative she meets can’t play. But the narrator of this story asks good questions of Mandy to learn more. It turns out her friend got in trouble and wasn’t allowed to play. Another friend …

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