5 Quick Time-Change Tips for an Easier Week

Setting the clocks back an hour can wreak havoc at home while everyone is adjusting! Your kiddo will probably wake up early but get over-tired at night (and as you know, that doesn't equal falling asleep easily!). Set yourself up for success by EXPECTING:

• sleeping and eating patterns to be out of whack
• more power struggles, meltdowns, arguing and yelling

This extra stress can last for a few days or even a week or more, but it WILL pass - think jet lag! 

Here are 5 quick tips to help make this transition week easier:

1. CLEAR YOUR PLATE! Eliminate or re-schedule all unnecessary activities for both you AND your child this week.
2. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK! Order in food, leave a chore till next week, or 1 email unanswered.
3. HAVE DINNER EARLY! Your child's tummy still wants to eat when it's hungry even though the clock now says it's an hour early. Move dinner forward gradually over the week until it matches the clock. Help your child understand that his or her "inside" clock is still adjusting even though the "outside" clock was changed already.
4. PULL OVER! When things melt down, Stop, Drop & Breathe! Then say with conviction, "We're all dys-regulated right now, but it's going to be OK!" (Say it even when you don't believe it!)
5. SMILE FOR NO REASON! Smiling will shift negative energy and help you feel better. You might even end up laughing with your child.

FOCUS ON CONNECTION
LET GO OF PERFECTION! (Just a little)  It's going to be OK... 
and as always, KEEP BREATHING!

Choose 1 tip to try TODAY.
Let me know how it goes by leaving a comment below...

 

Your Summer Success Plan Starts Now!

Warm summer greetings!

With the end of school upon you, are you holding your breath and wondering what you’re going to do with the kids home for the summer?

I really want to make sure you’re set up for a successful summer with your family! So what would a successful summer look and feel like for you? Other parents have shared that it would mean:

• being able to really enjoy their kids
• creating special memories for their kids
• being able to do things for themselves without guilt
• less fighting between sibs
• being able to relax
• family time

What’s on your list? Share it in the comments below.

Then create your intention for the summer - something that contains qualities you desire and choices you have control over. My intention is…

Or you are welcome to share this intention:

“I will make room for peace and play at home”

Write it on a sticky note and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day.

***************

To help you promote peace and play at home this summer, in July, I'll be posting a 3 part Summer Survival Success Series. It is designed to build on this intention and prepare you to handle the challenges of summer vacation with:

1. effective and empowering stress-reducing strategies
2. relationship-nurturing skills
3. positive parenting tools to promote peace and play at home.

In addition, I will be giving several 1 ½ hour class/playshops entitled Stressed Parents’ Summer Survival Success Plan for Peace and Play When the Kids Are Home From School, in the Metro-West Boston area at the end of June! Get all the details at http://parentsforpeaceandplay.com/

In warm summer support,

Kathy

 

Being A Parent Your Child Comes and Talks To

Happy Spring!

I’ve heard the words, “I just want my son or daughter to be able to come and talk to me…” from almost every parent who has consulted with me.

Can you relate?

Imagine being that parent whose child feels like they can come talk to you about anything - what they’re feeling, what’s going on at school, with friends, with drugs…

In my experience both with my own children and the families I’ve worked with over the past 5 years, there are 3 requirements for that to become even more possible:

1. Learn your child’s language 
2. Make a space for connection to happen 
3. Listen more, talk less.

Learn Your Child's Language

Did you know that you and your child speak different languages? You might be saying the same words, but your child is also speaking the language of behavior. Your child’s difficult behavior (including hurtful, triggering words) is not an attack on you - it’s actually an SOS! If you can learn to understand it as such, your child will feel heard. That will open the door to more open, honest communication.

Make a Space For Connection

I know you already spend a LOT of time with your child, but this is different! Find a consistent, predictable time when your child can “plug in” to you and have your undivided attention, for even a few minutes, with no agenda - a special time they can count on every day or every week, depending on their age.This space will nurture connection like nothing else I know and encourage your child to talk to you more.

Listen More, Talk Less!

This is HARD...but magical!

What one helpful bit you are taking away from this post? Let me know in the comments below. It's enough to simply practice that one awareness or action this week...

In this month’s Tuesday Toolkit teleclass on April 8th, I will be delving more deeply and practically into these 3 requirements so you have the opportunity to:

learn to understand the message behind your child’s behavior

nurture and support your connection with your child.

receive simple, concrete tools to take with you after the call which you can use to practice what you learn.

enjoy more peace at home

Should you choose to receive this $17 class either live or via audio, just click here: http://parentingbeyondwords.com/tuesdaytoolkit

I welcome all your questions, comments, struggles and stories here with open arms.

Warmly in support,

Kathy