The Power Of Play
Is Play Therapy effective and worth the investment of time and money? Yes. For children, play is the most effective tool in a counseling office. Children understand more words than they can productively use. So, while a child may understand what is being said to them, they may have no idea how to respond, with a resulting natural reaction of nothing at all. However, when we use the avenue where children are most comfortable—play—instead of dialogue, therapy is most productive. For children, play is their work. They often repeat a play scenario and then, as adults see it, randomly move [...]
Making Our Girls Safer
The world can feel like a dangerous place, especially for parents of a teenage daughter. But there are some things that we can teach them to help them face it successfully. Be Bold Boldness is a reflection of self confidence. To look someone in the eye when talking to them. To look someone in the eye when walking past them. To say no and mean it. Firm and strong is the best option when we say no. However, some girls need to practice so give them the chance to do so. Help them learn to say no even when they [...]
Parenting and Consequences
We live in a “self-esteem” culture that has decided that if parents discipline their kids, if kids are held accountable for bad behavior, it hurts their self-esteem. In fact, just the opposite is true. Now, abusing or neglecting a child certainly crushes self-esteem and confidence. However, appropriate discipline or consequences develop self-esteem. Here are some principles to follow. Has one of the Four D’s been violated? (See January’s blog article) If so, determine to what degree this is so. This helps you assess whether discipline is needed. Fit the punishment to the crime. Lying is serious and warrants a [...]
Parents as Mentors
Whether it’s ancient literature or modern media, mentors are seen everywhere.” In Star Wars, Luke has Ben Kenobi. In the Rocky films, Rocky Balboa has Mick. In both, older men teach young men how to deal with life, both challenging and encouraging them. In the TV show, “Suits,” Harvey mentors an up-and-coming attorney named Michael. Business classes teach the importance of finding and being a mentor. But where are the models of mothers and fathers mentoring their children? It unfortunately is all too common for parents to have the mindset of their responsibilities encompassing only their children’s physical needs of [...]
Deliberate Parenting
School, music lessons, sports practice, games, and tournaments. Family outings, extended family events, church. Work, friends, workouts, and somewhere, sleep. Busyness rules many people’s lives; some wear it like a badge of honor. Folks trying to outdo each other as to who is busier and who’s more exhausted. I get how busy life can be. My wife and I raised two kids who were very active in sports, church, and school and both of us worked full time. At one point, though, I found myself not too proud of my parenting in that I was simply living in reaction [...]