Posts by Sandy

How to Respond to “Bad” Intentions

How to Respond to “Bad” Intentions

Responding to your child's intentions rather than their actions can bring out their greatness in an instant. When a child makes a mistake or accidentally damages something or hurts someone, recognizing the child's true intention and pointing it out tells them that you understand the real them. The relief they feel is instant, and knowing you are on their side allows them to apologize from the...

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Pretending to Be an Adult

Pretending to Be an Adult

If someone "acting like a child" annoys you, you might have had to grow up too soon. How to step more fully into your adulthood, reclaim your childhood, and regain your patience all at the same time? Julia Kurskaya, parent coach and graduate of our Coaches Training program, walks you through her breakthrough, shared here by permission: In my favorite...

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“Not fair!” Could Your Child Be Right?

“Not fair!” Could Your Child Be Right?

It happened in less than five minutes. 10 YO David went from screaming, “Not fair!” when he thought he was losing, to accepting loss graciously. How? I was helping a mom with a group of 3rd-5th graders. They had just finished a craft and were bouncing off the walls with pent-up energy but had to stay inside. The mom suggested they play “Hot Potato” with a little stuffed bear. I sat with...

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Trouble at Preschool

Trouble at Preschool

How do you react when your child tells you they did something that they know you won't like and just looks at you? If you brace yourself for a show-down, or start correcting or lecturing, that's a reaction to a judgment. The judgment might be something like "rebellious" or maybe even "stubborn," if you know your child knew you wouldn't like what they did, but did it anyway. How can you stop...

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Sibling Fights – Empowering Kids with Mediation

Sibling Fights – Empowering Kids with Mediation

How can you be on both your children's sides when siblings start fighting? Zuzana Mackova, parent coach and graduate of our Coaches Training program, shows you how. Instead of jumping in to solve her sons' fight, she WAITED, used SAY WHAT YOU SEE®, then turned the problem-solving over to them in an empowering mediation. Their solution for sharing surprised her! Loud Voices Standing in the...

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