This class will lead you to discover not only your child’s physical and mental preparedness for the next stage, but also help you to look at your approach to parenting in the coming years. As your preteen pushes for independence, the challenge of parenting is to let go, allow more personal responsibility, and expand...
Practical Suggestions for Parenting Through the Teen Years
Does this sound familiar? Yesterday morning went something like this: Me: Liv. Liv! Olivia! Olivia Marie! (at the top of my lungs) Liv: Crickets. Me: Stomping up the stairs, muttering under my breath, Disrespectful! She’s ignoring me!? I bet she’s just hoping I’ll give up. I’m not giving up! In fact, I’m the opposite of giving...
Preparing for Adolescence
Preadolescence—that weird and awkward phase between 10 and 13. You were there once, and I bet you are cringing a bit just thinking about it. Now looking at your child with a lens of life experience, I bet you have a bit more sympathy. Yes, we parents have all made it through the gate...
Did We Do Enough?
Our daughter is graduating high school this year. There are so many things about her graduation that are exciting. Graduation photos, prom, banquets, college planning—it’s all so new and so exciting. After all, this is what we’ve worked hard for as parents, right? She’s so excited about college, and she’s definitely more independent than...
Holding On While Letting Go
“Dance with me, Mommy,” said one little boy whose brother quickly echoed, “Me. Too. Please.” My heart is soothed by these words from the lips of my babies. Though they are no longer technically “babies,” as the book says, “forever and always, my baby you’ll be.” And so we sang and we danced, each of...
Changes and the Life of a Middle School Boy
One of the most offensive yet decent words in the English language is the word “change.” The mention of change has the ability to turn a good day into a bad one. Most people don’t like change because it causes discomfort. Adults faced with change can experience a roller coaster of emotions that include...
What’s a Teenage Son to Do? Summertime Parenting (Part 2 of 2)
Adventure is Out There! (Now if I could just find my keys… Ideas for connecting with your teen over Summer 2015) Take a deep breath, and picture it. The moment is just around the corner for many of us: The final bell rings, blaring over the radio or phone conversation in your car. Young...