Posts Tagged "“say what you see”"

Stop Reacting, Start Exaggerating

Stop Reacting, Start Exaggerating

"I know what I should do, but I often react, instead of responding with understanding." For every parent who feels wrong for reacting in the moment, I was right there with you when my kids were little. I'd read all the books, and knew what to do, but there were times when I just couldn't do it. The thing that made a difference for me was realizing that there had to be something right about my...

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Avoiding Toddler-Baby Rivalry – 7 Tips

Avoiding Toddler-Baby Rivalry – 7 Tips

"Stop poking the baby!" When siblings are close in age, the toddler years can be extra challenging. How do you keep your cool and keep their relationship strong when your 2 YO starts poking your 9 MO baby? Here are some tips for using Language of Listening® to succeed:   1. Target specific STRENGTHs. Identify STRENGTHs that will help your child experience him/herself as a nurturing...

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How do I get my child to stop name-calling?

How do I get my child to stop name-calling?

In response to our post, Teasing & Name-calling, Amerin (children 7, 9, 11) asked a question that may have come up for you, too. We are so glad she asked, because it's normal to hit growth points like this when you are committed to mastering Language of Listening® to create deeper connections and more supportive relationships with your children, and weren't raised that way...

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Lust Buster

Lust Buster

In most boundary situations with children, the simple SAY WHAT YOU SEE® phrase, "You want _____," is the best place to start. The power of validating what children want cannot be overestimated. When children know that it's OK to want what they want, they don't have to fight to prove it. You've probably heard children quickly escalate from "I want it," to "I need it," to tears and a tantrum,...

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Would You Set a Boundary?

Would You Set a Boundary?

At a park I saw a 10 or 11 YO boy climbing around by himself on a partially washed-out concrete footbridge over a creek. The creek was still high and fast-flowing, though not raging the way it had been just a week before when we'd experienced torrential rains and record flooding. The boy was balancing on the exposed girders where the concrete was missing and poking under the remaining concrete...

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