Relationships: Relationship Building & Management

How to help your child get great grades.

Sarah Newton, Our official Parenting Teens Expert says:

When parents ask me to coach their teenagers they inevitably want their child's school grades to improve and seem a little shocked when I say, "Yes, that's easy."

Like Susan, who sent her 13-year-old to me. Grace was doing OK at school, however her parents wanted to get her into a better school and to do that her grades needed to improve.

Read Sarah's entire article How to help your child get great grades.

Are you doing too much for your children?

Sarah Newton, Our official Parenting Teens Expert says:

I was recently on the phone with a client and trying to get my point across, the point being that sometimes we have to let go and allow our children to make mistakes, as that is the only way they will learn. I was getting nowhere, so I came up with a distinction that I want to share with you. It was the distinction between parent as slave and parent as leader.

Read Sarah's article Are you doing too much for your children?

Beat Christmas Stress

Sarah Newton, Our official Parenting Teens and Pre-Teens Expert says:

So the big day is nearly upon us and for most Parents I know that this joy-filled day can become the most stressful day of the year, so here are my tips for the day.

1. Decide now what you want from the day, how do you want the day to go. Make a list of what you want to happen and how you want to feel.

Read Sarah's entire article Beat Christmas Stress

Cyber Bullying and what to do about it.

Sarah Newton, Our official Parenting Teens and Pre-Teens Expert says:

There is a new form of bullying hitting the streets and no surprise, the new culprits are the mobile phone and the internet.

Unlike in my day when you could walk away from the bully, see their face and turn the other cheek, these new bullies are anonymous and operate 24/7, making it impossible for your young people to walk away as you could in the good old days.

Read Sarah's entire article Cyber Bullying and what to do about it.

Six Strategies to Teen Success

Sarah Newton, Our official Parenting Teens/Pre-Teens Expert says:

Life lesson One -- Know yourself -- Good grades are only one part of the equation

Successful teens know that grades are only one part of the equation. Getting good graded cannot ensure that you have a successful and happy future. It takes more than that, it takes an understand of who you are as a person, your qualities, abilities and strengths. They are aware of their weakness and choose to use them for and not against themselves. They know what they value and how they want to live their lives and above all they are true to themselves.

Read Sarah's entire article Six Strategies to Teen Success

The Eight Secrets of Parenting from a teen’s perspective.

Sarah Newton, Our official Parenting Teens / Pre-Teens Expert says:

I recently asked a group of teenagers what advice they would give to their parent on parenting and their answers were illuminating, honest and hopeful I think. Here are their Secrets.

Read Sarah's entire article The Eight Secrets of Parenting from a teen’s perspective.

Overcoming Childhood Fears

I woke up to a copy of one of my favorite newsletters in my inbox - the ThoughtsAlive.com ezine by Leslie Householder. In it she had a story that made me think of my own children -- one in particular. I'm going to try this tactic the next time one of them is experiencing unfounded fears.

Here's an excerpt from Leslie's blog:

"Do you remember what it was like when you were a child, and going to bed was sometimes a scary thing to do? I remember thinking there were snakes under my bed, or monsters in the closet. Even though there wasn't any such thing hiding in my room, the fear was as real as if my life was truly in danger.

I'd lay there with the covers bundled around my neck, after having seen an episode of "Cliff Hangers" back in the 1970's - something about vampires, and it took a long time before I could go to bed without worrying about something swooping in to suck my blood.

Well, my daughter is ten, and something has planted the idea in her mind that someone is going to break in and kill her after bedtime. What a horrible thought! I have tried everything I can think of to help her go to bed in peace. We've used music, prayer, EFT, reading, and still, bedtime continued to trouble her.

Finally last night we had a breakthrough."  Click here to find out what worked.

Improving Father-Child Relationships

Improving Father-Child Relationships.

As Father's Day approaches, it seems appropriate to look at father-child relationships. A father's role has changed over the past 50 years. More than just providers, fathers now are more hands on with their children. We don't just have "soccer moms" anymore. We now have "soccer dads" as well. However, all fathers--at one time or another--feel that they just aren't as in touch, or involved, with their children as they should be. They feel the frustration of not knowing what to do to improve those precious relationships. Fathering can be difficult, but in the long run they are only children in our homes for a short amount of time; so, every private moment, every talk, every hug--counts. But how do you make it count? Here are some ways to "make it count" and improve that important relationship with your children. Continue reading this article by Luanna Rodham of IdeaMarketers at Improving Father-Child Relationships.

Simple Techniques for Brain-Friendly Learning

Lisa Preston, Our official HomeSchooling Expert says:

Would you like to discover ways to help your child (and you!) retain information quickly and easily? Utilize these brain strategies and watch your child learn with ease!

Read Lisa's entire article Simple Techniques for Brain-Friendly Learning

When Things are Going Wrong with Your Teenager

Sarah Newton, Our official Parenting Teens / Pre-Teens Expert says:

1. Stop! How are you judging your teenager? What perception do you have of them? What is getting in the way? Before you even open your mouth, ask yourself how you want to see this person. Do you want to see another troublesome teenager or do you want to see your wonderful son or daughter who still desperately needs your support and guidance?

Read Sarah's entire article When Things are Going Wrong with Your Teenager