Valentine’s Day is the a favorite day to celebrate love relationships. When we think Valentine’s Day, we generally think romantic, extravagant dinners… away from kids. This year, I would like to suggest that you expand on that notion.
Gila Brown, Parent Coach, gila@gilabrown.com 310.497.7461
Quit Your (Parenting) Job
It occurred to me that, perhaps, our collective challenge with parenting stems from our choice in language when describing it. Parenting is usually referred to as a job. “It’s the hardest job in the world.” “It’s a job for which there is no training.” “She’s doing a great job parenting.” The term ‘job’ implies a certain level of expected performance. A job has a certain set of required duties. And, job performance is something that is assessed by others.
When Stealing is Good
Amar is 9 years old and lives in an orphanage in India. He is one of the 20 boys at the orphanage whose ages range from toddlers to teens. Amar is a special kid. He is not only extremely intelligent, but he has also claimed a leadership role amongst the other boys, despite his young age.
But Why?
Four-year-old twins had their first trip to IHOP recently. This was a family outing with extended relatives and grandparents.
3 Easy Ways to Survive Back to School
School’s been in session for a few weeks now, and the allure of the shiny new school supplies is slowing waning. So, here are some basic tips to survive the reality of back-to-school setting in.
1. Make friends with the teachers.
Parents Battling Trains
Someone once told me that life is like a speeding train. When it comes at you with a challenge, you have two choices. You can stand in front and try to stop it. Or, you can jump on board and go for the ride. While I think this metaphor provides us with a good plan for just about any of life’s challenges, when it comes to parenting, it’s even more appropriate.
Budding Entrepreneurs: Top Five Skills Your Kid Will Learn From A Lemonade Stand
I always stop for a lemonade stand. Regardless of whether or not I actually want a Dixie cup filled with sugary water, supporting the budding entrepreneur always inspires me. I love watching the little ones take charge.
“What can I get you?”
“That’ll be 50 cents, please.”
“Here’s your change… and a napkin.”
You Deserve a Break: 6 Easy Ways to Slow Your Roll
When my Internet connection went out today, I found myself at a complete loss. When I am not on the phone, working directly with my clients, the bulk of my work requires an Internet connection. Without one, I wasn’t able to do much of what I thought I needed to accomplish today. So, what did I do? I moved through my day more slowly. With a shorter to-do list, I found myself able to work at a much more comfortable pace. I was able to enjoy a leisurely latte break, and I even found time to listen to a CD that I had been wanting to listen to… but just “didn’t have the time”.
Double-Action Monster Spray
Monsters are very real. Whether we can see them or not, they exist, if nowhere else, then in the minds of young kids. The fact that they are so elusive and hard to locate, only makes them that much scarier.
In Search of Oak Trees
Remember the last time you tried leaning back on something that wasn’t quite firmly attached to the ground? You leaned with some of your weight, but not all of it. You knew that if you leaned back too far, you’d fall. You might even have used your abdominal muscles to hold yourself up. If you compare that feeling to one of leaning back on a large, oak tree, the feeling is quite different. You know the oak isn’t going anywhere. You can relax and put all your weight on it. You won’t fall. It will hold you up.