Parenting Tip: Locus of Control – A Critical Concept for Parents
Here’s something I’d like to share with you. The more I write about Control Battles and delve into the depths of the problems parents present, the more I realize the value of a concept that needs more of our attention; Locus of Control. We get a lot of terms thrown at us to help us...Continue reading→
Young Adult Accountability: When Intentions Aren’t Enough
What do you do when your young adult agrees with everything you say — and then does none of it? A question from Andrea: I just listened to the podcast about Rachel’s question about her young adult son. I can relate in many ways, and the podcast gave great advice about an initial approach to...Continue reading→
Parenting Tip: The Tone of Communication
I was working with a dad who was beside himself struggling to set limits with his 14-year-old daughter. He and his daughter’s mother were divorced, and his former wife had a very laissez-faire attitude towards raising kids. While Dad wanted his daughter to do her homework, come home at a decent time, have dinner with...Continue reading→
For Therapists, Coaches, and Mental Health Professionals: When You’re Stuck in the Power Struggle Too
Therapists, Coaches, and Mental Health Professionals: Have you ever sat with a client and felt the power struggle happening in the room — not just in their family, but between you and the case itself? Here’s a message from Esther Krohner at Brief Therapy Center + an invitation to my Masterclass: Creative Brief Therapy in...Continue reading→
Parenting Tip: Beware of Making Contracts with Your Teen
I received a call from a mother whom I’d consulted with in the past. She’d struggled in her relationship with her daughter, who went over to her father’s house whenever Mom set limits. Father didn’t enforce any limits. As motivation and support for her daughter, Mom agreed to a contract with her daughter and the...Continue reading→
Understanding Your Teen’s Temperament
Some people are more emotionally sensitive than others and may tend to react more quickly or intensely. Some may be naturally competitive and inclined to “win” an interaction. Childrearing experts Ron Taffel and Melinda Blau, in their excellent book, Nurturing Good Children Now, present an illuminating section on individual temperament and how it affects children and...Continue reading→
Parenting Tip: Let Your Teen Be the Expert
When Your Teen Is Into Makeup and You’re Not: A Parenting Strategy That Works “Neil, I don’t know how to feel about my daughter’s interest in makeup and dress-up. She’s only 13 and the last thing I want for her is to get caught up in keeping up with styles and worrying about appearances. She’s...Continue reading→
Parent-Teen Control Battle Assessment
Want a quick way to evaluate where you stand in the Control Battle? Download and fill out this assessment to get a better sense of your relationship. If parenting a teenager feels like you’re constantly bracing for the next argument—about chores, homework, curfews, attitudes, or “just asking a question”—you’re not alone. Many parents assume this...Continue reading→
Mental Health Spending is 40% of Child and Teen Health Spending
A recent article in Medical Press cited a recent study showing that 40% of children’s health expenditures are for behavioral health, a near doubling of that percentage in the last 10 years. The study looks at the cost to consumers and the need for access to services, but what the heck is going on? Why...Continue reading→
Happy Thanksgiving
I want to wish you a most Happy Thanksgiving. This is a time to give thanks, be grateful, and share time and a special meal with friends and family. Unfortunately, illness and loss don’t take breaks for holidays so we need to make space for those within our close circle and outside of our circle...Continue reading→