Recent Blogs
Wednesday, December 14 2011
At this stressful time of the year, do you find yourself more edgy and short-fused around the children? No wonder. There is so much we are trying to accomplish to create special holiday memories. At the same time, we are all being bombarded by media about what to buy and where and when to buy it in order to get the best price and make our loved ones happy. Our children are also surrounded by friends telling them what they wish to receive this holiday and this can lead to pushing for gifts tha...
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Monday, July 18 2011
Sometimes we need a push from our child to join in an activity. Yesterday, I was reluctant to go into the cold ocean with my son, but he pleaded with me ever so sweetly and then held my arm and gave me the nudge I needed. Well....it was worth it! My body temperature adjusted and we had a blast jumping the waves and laughing together. I will treasure this memory for a long time.
The experience reminded me of the importance of periodically saying "Yes" to requests from our children to join ...
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Sunday, July 03 2011
This week I begin teaching a four-week course in Montclair NJ based on the book, "The Art of Positive Parenting" by Mickey Tobin. The foundation of this class is for parents to sharpen their skills around listening to their children's feelings and managing their own feelings and reactions so they can make parenting choices from a calm state of mind. These are challenging skills indeed given that we all have "scripts" that we routinely, and often automatically, use with our children and we are ...
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Friday, April 22 2011
Happy Earth Day! The great outdoors is easy to take for granted, isn't it? So much of our lives are spent indoors or in the car. Our minds are full of schedules, responsibilities and worries. Today, if takes a conscious effort to appreciate the wonder of this beautiful planet we call home. I find that time spent outdoors in nature can keep me grounded. When I'm overwhelmed by the chaos of children arguing or the mess in the kitchen and family room, a fifteen minute walk clears my head. Wh...
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Wednesday, March 02 2011
Good morning! I just came across a free parenting seminar that is free of charge and open to all. In it, you can select and listen to video clips from popular parent educators and authors. Once you sign in, you have through March 8th to listen. Check it out and let me know what you think...http://www.parentingsummit.com/
Posted at 04:57 pm in general parenting
Monday, February 14 2011
Check out this wonderful new resource regarding social skills. AAPC has just released a new book that has an intriguing story line and social lessons for pre-teens and teens. I will definitely be ordering this one. View and order the book at http://www.aapcpublishing.net/book/view/594/diary-of-a-social-detective-real-life-tales-of-mystery-intrigue-and-interpersonal-adventure
Tuesday, November 23 2010
As we approach Thanksgiving, what are you grateful for this year? If nothing comes to you immediately, don't fear. Your mind is probably focused on all the "doings" that occupy us during this busy season. In order to listen to what's in your heart, you need to find some quiet time where you can focus on just "being". Where can you carve out five or ten minutes each day to think about something you are grateful for in your life? Can you get up a little bit earlier so you can sit in bed quiet...
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Friday, November 12 2010
Recently, I had the privilege of hearing Eustacia Cutler, Temple Grandin's mother, speak at the Rockland County Autism Symposium. What an incredible, inspirational person. She battled so much in raising her daughter - doctors who blamed her for being a "refrigerator mom" and the reason for Temple's autism, a disapproving 50s society who didn't understand or tolerate differences, and a husband who wanted to institutionalize his daughter. Eustacia is a wonderful role-model for all parents raisi...
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Tuesday, October 12 2010
Hassle-Free Homework
If this sounds like a dream, read on. Homework can be a major source of stress in the parent-child relationship. When children have special needs, homework can be a particularly challenging task. Some children have troubling focusing on homework after being in school all day, and others may be struggling to understand concepts learned in school. Many children find answering open-ended questions and writing creative essays difficult. And, children aren’t the only ones...
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Posted at 07:43 pm in archives
Tuesday, September 21 2010
Over the weekend, I listened to several parents express frustration over their elementary aged children’s sleep problems which, of course, was also depriving them of a good night’s sleep. Does this ring a bell for you? I can completely relate to the havoc lack of sleep reeks in my family life. Sleep deprivation has been linked to irritability, distraction, and poor judgment. There are experts who argue many cases of ADD may actually be the result of lack of sleep in children. For children...
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