Heading 6.30.09

August 2011            bridges 2 understanding   

Greetings!  

 

So often our children are learning that money is for buying what they want rather than paying the bills. Children are also not asked to do house chores or contribute because parents don't want to take away homework time. Let's stop and really think about what we are teaching our children. Do these beliefs develop the ability for our children to become self-reliant?  

 

Stephen Glenn, Ph.D. and Jane Nelsen, Ed.D. in their book Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self- Indulgent World  have developed seven building blocks for developing capable young people.

 

Join with me and other parents for a three week class as we explore their invaluable insights. The class titled Raising Self-Reliant Children starts on October 12th. See the class section below for details.

 

Happy Parenting

 

Cynthia  

 

Please share this newsletter with other parents, schools or businesses so I can help other families build bridges of understanding.   

  

 
Listening Helps Boys

 

 Mother of a 12 year-old son says:   

 

Cynthia has taught me invaluable parenting strategies to help me improve my relationships with my children. Her techniques of effective listening have helped me become more responsive and sensitive to their needs. These skills have also helped me with my day to day encounters with co workers, friends and other family members.

 

One night, during a moment of extreme duress with my 12 year old son, I called Cynthia for help. She was a great support and provided guidance on how to approach my son so I could keep communication open. Based on her expert suggestions, I put aside my frustrations and listened in a way that made my son comfortable and trusting. He was then able to express his emotional conflicts through dialogue rather than lashing out at me with anger. We talked it out and arrived at a mutually respective solution to the problem. I didn't know how to handle the situation and Cynthia was there to guide me.

 

   Words of Wisdom 

Me with pink jacket teaching
Learning how to listen to our children's emotions is an important part of my work as a parent educator. To be able to listen, we need to understand our own emotions that get in the way of openly listening to and accepting our children's emotions. I found Robert Lawlor's description of the freeing of emotions in the Aboriginal culture in his book Voices of the First Day:  Awakening in the Aboriginal DreamTime very interesting and thought provoking.
" Aboriginal children are allowed to vent all their emotions in every form from wailing lament to colossal tantrums. ... read more....
In This Issue
Parent's Story
Express Yourself!
Words of Wisdom
Inspirational Words
Parenting Classes

 Visit My Newletter Archive  

 

Cynthia is
Building World Peace in the Home through:

 Private Coaching Sessions in person, by phone, in the home or Skype to answer your specific questions.

Parenting Classes to learn skills and gain support from parents.

Speaking

at your school or  organization on a variety of topics. 

 

Inspirational  Words  

Back of card logo
" There is an interesting story in Aesop's fables about the crab and his mother. The mother told her son, "Don't walk sideways and never rub your belly on the wet rocks." The little one replied, " Show me how to walk straight like you say. If I see you do it than I can follow." This fable tells us a lot about the essentials of education. There is a Japanese maxim that points out the same thing and goes something like "Children grow up looking at what parents really are."  ...Parents should take a good look at their own conduct, to see how it is influencing the children..."

 

1977, The Creative Family, Ikeda, (82-84)

 

Daisaku Ikeda
President of the SGI World Wide Organization
World Renowned Author and Poet  

Classes for Fall  2011

 

Free introductory classes

How to Build a Cooperative Family with Mutual Respect

 If you want your family to improve communication and cooperation skills, then this is the class to get you started. Studies have shown that parents lead the family by example. Discover how Mutual Respect Parenting will teach you positive discipline strategies and listening skills that will help you resolve family conflicts and develop self-reliant children.

 

2 free introductory dates to choose from:

 

Dates:         Thursday, October 6, 7:00 - 9:00 OR

Thursday, December 1, 7:00 - 9:00

Location:     San Mateo office

Cost:           No fee / pre- registration required. Space is limited

Register here for the October 6th class.        

 

Register here for the December 1st class  

 

Discipline and the Strong-Willed Child

Do you have a difficult time getting your strong-willed child to cooperate? Rather than ending up in power struggles, break this cycle and build cooperation.  Learn how to bring out the best in yourself and your children. For parents with children ages 4-10 years old.

Dates:            4 Tuesdays, September 13, 20, 27, October 4

Time:              6:30 - 8:30 pm  

Cost:              KP members: $80 per person or $140 per couple                         Community: $140 per person or $240 per couple
Location:        Kaiser Permanente in Redwood City   

Registration:Contact Kaiser Health Education at 650 299-2433

 

Raising Self-Reliant Children

It is crucial that parents encourage their children to learn certain perceptions and skills for successful living. Research is now confirming that dialogue and collaboration form the foundation of moral and ethical development, critical thinking, and judgmental maturity. Teach your children NOW the skills they'll need later to become self-reliant and independent adults.  

 

Dates:           3 Wednesdays, October 12, 19, 26

Time:            7:00 - 9:00 pm

Location:       Cynthia's office in San Mateo

Cost:               $105/ parent, $165 / couple

Register here for this class.     

 

 

 Winning Your Kids Over Without Punishments or Rewards

 Learn how to use effective discipline strategies that wins your children's cooperation. Discover how to perfect the art of setting and enforcing rules and expectations without the need for punishments or rewards.  

 

Date:          Thursday, November 3

Time:          6:00 - 7:30 pm

Location: Morrissey-Compton Educational Center, Inc.                          2555 Park Blvd, Suite 1, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Cost:           Free

Registration:    Space is limited so registration is required.  

Call 650.322.5910 or email to register.         

                               

 My Kids Are Making Me So Mad! (5th - 8th grade)

 We love our children so why do we get so upset with them? In this class you will learn how to express anger to your child in a respectful way that de-escalates the tension and improves communication skills. Discover how to defuse your intensity and keep connected with your child, so you can work through conflicts and create a harmonious family environment.

 

Date:             Thursday, December 8

Time:              6:00 - 7:30 pm

Location:        Morrissey-Compton Educational Center, Inc.

                       2555 Park Blvd, Suite 1, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Cost:                Free

Registration:    Space is limited so registration is required. Call 650.322.5910 or email to register.         

                               

Presentations at Organizations 

Contact Cynthia for details and inquires at  

 

Discipline: Getting the Message Across Effectively

 Often parents are frustrated because their kids don't respond to directions. From in-home coaching I've discovered that the problem is often with the parents! Learn how to set up clear expectations, convey them effectively and provide respectful follow through. You can increase family cooperation and joy!!

 

Date:           Tuesday, October 18

Time:               12:00 - 1:00 pm

Location:       Stanford University campus

 

Dads Taking Charge of the Kids Alone!!

Join other dads and explore ways to make time alone with the kids run smoother. We'll discuss the two roads of nurture and structure and learn how to balance them for maximum family enjoyment. Specific strategies will be presented to take home with you.

 

Date:         Tuesday, November 15

Time:        12:00 - 1:00 pm

Location:    Stanford University campus

 

Winning Your Kids Over Without Punishments or Rewards

Learn how to use effective discipline strategies that wins your children's cooperation. Discover how to perfect the art of setting and enforcing rules and expectations without the need for punishments or rewards.

 

Dates:        Wednesdays, November 2, 9, 16

Time:           6:30 - 8:00 pm

Location:   Boys and Girls Clubs in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Redwood City.