Monthly Archives: May 2013

It’s easier than you think—and the hardest thing you’ll ever do.

I spend a lot of time writing and talking about my opinions on children’s behavior, my theories of Connective Parenting, validation, acceptance—all the principles I believe in to encourage parents to let go of the old traditional methods of parenting we have used for eons. I want us to change our mindsets from a culture of punishment to one of compassion.

A culture of compassion does not at all mean being passive and permissive. Firmness, limits, rules, and making sure the adult’s needs are met as well as the child’s are all attributes of compassionate parenting. Compassion simply means understanding the child’s point of view, the roots of their behavior and being willing to hear what you and the rest of the world must sound like from your child’s point of view.

But today instead of my opinion, I want to share an email I had from a connective parent that I think sums it up.

I am the proud mom of a 14 year old girl, a 6 year old boy, a 4 year old girl, and a 3

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A Mother’s Day Gift

Being a mother is no piece of cake. From the beginning there is seemingly endless crying, sleepless nights, demands on your time and energy, exhaustion both physical and mental, putting your needs on indefinite hold—forgetting what your needs even are. Kids fight—with each other and with you. You know it’s your job to do something about it but seem to have no idea what to do. You need a break. But will you give it to yourself? Probably not.

This Mother’s Day I have a break for you. I find that in times of stress, when I’m full of indecision and don’t know which way to turn, when I know I want something but don’t know what it is, when I need to get something off my chest but don’t really want any advice—what always helps is an understanding ear and sharing with someone who knows just what I mean.

Katrina Kenison is that person who knows just what you mean and has been there in one form or another. Her books, The Gift of an Ordinary Day and Magical

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