Real parent training, with coaching to make it stick!
The following article is adapted from Mark Bertin’s Book, “The Family ADHD Solution” . This article is an overview of some of the content shared in Chapter 7, Behavior: Avoiding the “No David” Approach. Dr. Bertin’s book is a wealth of information, and we strongly encourage you to read more Does Your Parenting Style Work... read more
There are two actors in every sibling drama: the child who provokes and the child who reacts. We tend to spend all of our time getting the provoking child to stop; but the truth is the reacting child is 50% of the problem…and therefore 50% of the solution. S/he is an equal and willing partner... read more
In Part 1 of this blog, I talked about the first step in Managing Morning Mania – managing yourself. In every situation, we have the choice about how we want to respond. It can be powerful to realize how those choices impact how we handle the situation. Part 2: Manage your Kid So even though... read more
An ADHD diagnosis can be alarming, upsetting, frightening. “What’s wrong with my child?” we wonder in fear. It’s no laughing matter. Or, is it? We hate feeling scared about our children’s future. But what do we want instead? What’s the opposite of scared? Calm? Brave? I suggest it’s laughing. Laughing or fearful; amused or anxious;... read more
I wear a pendant around my neck that gets me through everything. A quote from the Song of Solomon, in English it translates to, “This Too Shall Pass.” At times, my necklace gets me through the really hard stuff, a reminder that I can endure great challenge. If I could survive a 30 hour labor... read more
Reading Ann Dolin’s blog this week was a great reminder for me. As someone who is highly motivated by performance and end product, (can you say, perfectionist?) it’s really difficult for me to relate to anything else. When she tells us to focus on the process not the product, I understand it, but it can... read more
The foundation of modern-day coaching has its roots in the world of acting. Ironic, in a way, that such an authentic form of communication is like a spin-off from the world of make-believe. But to pretend authentically – that is, to act well – requires a depth of understanding, and clear communication. Since that’s what... read more
Responding rather than reacting when someone pushes your buttons takes time an practice! We use the term button pushing often. We say that our kids (or spouses, partners or co-workers) really know how to push our buttons; but what are those buttons? And what happens when they’re pushed? More to the point, how can we change our... read more
I did not know what ADHD was, or that it was the likely cause of my forgetfulness, my being “scattered, smothered, and covered,” until about 16 years ago. I did not understand how my untreated ADHD had contributed to unfulfilled dreams, challenged relationships, problems with finances, and issues with addiction. Creating Intensity I struggle with... read more
Our kids don’t miss a trick – they watch everything we do. Children learn more from what we do than from what we say. We’d like to believe that is not true. We’d like to convince ourselves that our words matter more than our actions. It would be much easier to live by the adage,... read more