FLEXIBLE adjective adjective: flexible capable of bending easily without breaking. Photo by Creation Hill on Pexels.com Flexible thinking is important. People thrive when they have a range of ways to navigate stress at home and at work and psychological flexibility can act as a buffer between stress and negative psychological outcomes (Gloster, Meyer, & Lieb, … Continue reading Flexibility in children and how to encourage it
A video for parents wanting to stop shouting at their children
I made this video for parents to make it easier to be calm, give instructions authoritatively and to follow through. It really does help to build connection and rapport with children and improve the quality of relationships at home. https://youtu.be/X9Nh9jgPjT0
Christmas stress
Are you looking forward to Christmas day or do you start feeling stressed long before it comes around? 90% of my clients find some aspect of Christmas difficult. Things we can't control increase our stress - additional pressures from the end of the work year, the end of the school year and living in a … Continue reading Christmas stress
Be a leader at home
Do you work proactively in a calm, alert and focused way at work only to find that when it comes to things at home it’s a different matter? When we are not in charge at home it drains our energy and affects our ability to function well in both places. I know how this feels … Continue reading Be a leader at home
Teens and vaccines
Question from a parent - How can I deal with this stupid problem of my 18 year old who heard that Nicky Minaj’s cousins’ friend had his testicles swell up and now she won’t get the vaccine? Developmental expectations A parenting book I read said what we say to our teens is worth 1 point … Continue reading Teens and vaccines
How to help your anxious child
Anxiety is a hot topic and there are numerous reports that it has been on the rise in Kiwi kids and kids all over the world. Negative associations with anxiety include, a sign that a person is not coping or a weakness. Parents of anxious children may feel guilty that their child has anxiety and … Continue reading How to help your anxious child
Defiant boy
I need help with my son who is defiant, rude and out of control. Everything is a problem, he won’t do anything I ask and fights every request with a lot of strong push back. The defiant outbursts are affecting everyone in the family and I have had enough. Whether it’s doing his chores or … Continue reading Defiant boy
What to do if you disagree with your partner on how to discipline your child
My partner and I disagree on what to do when our child has very challenging behaviours like threatening us, throwing things and shouting. Dealing with the behaviour is bad enough. On top of that I am feeling exhausted and worn down because my partner and I disagree on the best way to discipline. The main … Continue reading What to do if you disagree with your partner on how to discipline your child
Getting a united front in parenting
Have you ever had a moment when your child makes a poor choice and you can't agree with your partner about how to deal with the problem? It can be really frustrating when we can't get a united front or agree about how to discipline our kids. It's major source of stress in relationships and … Continue reading Getting a united front in parenting
How kids can become adults who have empathy
Empathy is the quality parents most often tell me they want their children to have as adults. None of us are born with empathy. It’s a value we pass on through relationships with others, our kids watch us from when they are small. If we want our children to have empathy for others we need … Continue reading How kids can become adults who have empathy