• Hello again! It's been a great summer full of inspiration and connections. I'll also admit that I've been hanging out a bit on Pinterest, and found this thought provoking post I thought I'd share with you. First let me say that I am pretty sure that "today'd" is not a word. And yes, I might have edited some of the grammatical structures of the sentences. But other than that, I think they are pretty thought provoking. So take a few minutes and mull over one or two...or more. You might be surprised at some of your answers!
  • Let's face it, connecting with kids can be hard. But it's do-able! One suggestion: don't try and reinvent the wheel! There are easier ways to find ways to get kids to open up and find out a little bit more about what they're about. One game that can be a great way to break down walls is called, "Beat the Parents". Kids and parents challenge each other to see who knows who better. How fun is that? Let's not forget another classic for those with a tough stomach: the game, Would you Rather...? A word of advice - go through the cards first and pull out the ones that may be less appropriate, depending on the age of your child. One of my absolute favorite for older kids is the book: Talk With Your KIds: Conversations About Ethics-- Honesty, Friendship,  Sensitivity, Fairness, Individuality, and 103 Other Things That Really Matter. This is a great little book of scenarios to discuss with your middle schooler or high school student. Plus, its easy to find on Amazon. Hang in there. If you are interested in more ways to connect with your child, just give me a call!
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    (found on madebyfolks.tumbler.com)

    I love this image. It's a great reminder that sometimes all we need is a fresh perspective. Have you had the same issue or obstacle dogging you for a while? Do you feel like you keep struggling with the same issue and it never improves - or worse, it's getting worse? Sometimes all it takes is a new point of view to tackle that problem. What would your life be like if you were not struggling? Can you image in it? I can, and you can get there!
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    Let's talk for a minute about believing in our kids. I'm not talking about the kind of believing where you tell them they are the best on the soccer team, or that they were the prettiest one at the dance. I hate to break it to you, but kids always see through this. They think it makes us less credible as parents and then they worry about what else we are 'lying' about. I'm talking about the kind of believing where you believe that a child has a path; a destiny that is theirs on their own right. Sometimes this can be scary for parents. Usually this happens when we are wanting them to be something or someone for us. We need to let go and believe that they can be something for themselves. That's when the real magic happens.

  • Sometimes people will say to me, "Ugh. I don't know how you can listen to people's problems all day long." But I have a secret. The secret is that I have learned more from my clients than they have learned from me. That I am inspired by their stories of strength and courage. That I have seen so many times the ability of the human spirit to rebound from suffering and pain and hardship that it has emblazoned in me an irreplaceable belief in the resiliency and strength of the human spirit. My career has blessed me with being able to meet the most amazing people. Come and talk with me. I have a feeling you will are one of those people, too.