Tips for Parenting with Compassion #3: What’s in a name? A lot!
“There is no word as sweet to hear as your own name spoken with tenderness.” – Lisa A. McCrohan A few weeks ago my mom (kindly!) suggested that I be mindful of how I say our son’s name. At first I thought, “What?! I say his name just fine!” But after setting aside my...
Tips for Parenting with Compassion #2:Time-out Doesn’t Work
Using time-out with your child who is behaving in a way you don’t like doesn’t work. Some parents may think it works in that it might stop the behavior in the immediate short-term. I’ve tried it – because it is easy, reinforced by our culture, takes little effort on...
Tips for Parenting with Compassion #1: Feed the Meter
I love Dr. Harvey Karp’s book, The Happiest Toddler on the Block. He offers very concrete ways of connecting to your toddler. One suggestion he offers that I share with clients of toddlers (and teens!) over and over is the concept called “feed the meter.” When you...
Tips for Mindful Relationships #1: Just Ask
Any time you look at your partner and have the thought, “He/she should……..” pause for a moment. Time and time again I hear people say that their partner “should know what I need or what I like.” Examples: “He should know I’ve been home with two kiddos all day and need...
Tips for Everyday Mindfulness #2: Going Nuts and Falling to Pieces
Many clients who come to me are scared to explore what's painful because they are afraid they’ll lose it. They are afraid they will fall apart and never put themselves back together. They are afraid that if they actually “touch” THAT feeling, it will totally take...
Kindness
This poem is beautiful. Hope you find some delight and truth in it. And may it be kindness today that ties your shoes, takes a shower, makes a meal, and talks to your loved ones and "not so loved ones." Blessings, Lisa Kindness Before you know what kindness really...
Tips for Everyday Mindfulness #1: Loosening your grip on anger
We are born to be happy. -Dalai Lama When was the last time you were angry? Maybe it was when you were stuck in traffic or when your teenager started to back-talk. Whatever the situation, ask yourself, when I got angry did I say or do anything that, later, when I...