Family Travel Adventures This Summer

September 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I hope you’re enjoying the last days of summer and that you and your family have been sharing fun and fulfilling adventures. I’ve certainly been having a lot of fun.

After our 8-day adventure in Colorado with our son and family, Doug and I headed off with Sebastian for 6 days camping and exploring in and around Lassen Volcanic National Park. We chose this destination because it was within a reasonable driving time, and Sebastian has been fascinated with volcanoes for quite a while. We wanted to give him an up close and personal experience.

After a gorgeous 3 mile round trip hike at 8000′ elevation to Bumpass Hell, we were greeted by the lovely sulfur fragrance of rotten eggs, hot steam pouring out of fumeroles, bubbling water, and serious warnings to stay in the trail, which Sebastian questioned us about frequently along with the story of Mr. Bumpass whose leg was badly scalded when it broke through a thin crust above a mud pot in 1860’s.

We also explored the 600 yard Subway Cave lava tube. We absolutely needed headlamps, and I was glad I took a light jacket for warmth. At Sulfur Works, we got to see bubbling mud pots up close and personal. Sebastian took lots of photos.

Another highlight from this trip was supporting Sebastian to get his second Junior Ranger badge and a couple of other patches just because he could. Sebastian LOVES earning these badges, and I highly recommend the Junior Ranger Program available in many of our National Parks and Monuments.

Sebastian learns about the natural and cultural environment as he explores the park to complete his Junior Ranger Book, which he takes home with him. He also participates in interesting ranger programs, talks with rangers, and takes an oath to protect nature and our parks before he gets is patch. I think we have as much fun as he does, and we are already considering options for next year. I wonder if Madison will be ready to go with us!

Click here to see some photos from our adventure.

We also had a relaxing 3-day camping trip in the Sierras with Orion and family. We had a great time, even though our clothes reeked of smoke from the Rim Fire about 40 miles to the south. It didn’t seem that smoky.

We have a favorite spot where we camp above Lake Alpine in national forest land with no one around. We carry in everything we need, including water and Mr Shovel. One of my favorite parts of this trip was watching Orion and Sebastian bury a secret treasure, mark it with an ‘X’, and then make a map to dig it up next year when we return.

Then, in a few short weeks, Doug and I fly to Hanoi, Vietnam, to explore the northern half of this glorious, fascinating country.

Going on adventures, whether for two weeks or a day, is one of my most favorite things to do. I feel such freedom and joy when I am out exploring and discovering.

One of my fondest wishes for you and your family is that you experience the freedom and joy of being yourselves and sharing whatever you most love.

Filed Under: Children, Grandparenting, Loving Yourself, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Create Awesome Family Adventures!

July 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Wow! It’s been a long time since I posted! I’m missing you! I feel an emptiness in my life from not communicating with you.

I hope you’re having a fun summer with your family because that is what this note is all about. I’ve been having a fun summer! Doug and I took our two grandchildren Sebastian and Madison, ages 5 & 2, camping in wilds of the Sierra Mountains several weeks ago and recently returned from a family adventure in Colorado.

6_Rcky_Mtn_SignIt was an interesting experience early on a Friday morning, all 6 of us traipsing into SFO – Our son Orion and his family and Doug and I. From there, the adventure began as we explored SW Denver area and attended a family wedding, 3 fun days at a cabin near Colorado Springs, then 2 days visiting my brother and his family near Rocky Mountain National Park.

It turns out Colorado is prime dinosaur territory, perfect for Sebastian and Madison (actually all 6 of us!), plus we all know the Rockies are breath-taking. I’ve posted photos here of our adventures.

I know family vacations like this often come home filled with horror stories of arguments, upsets, and promises to never do that again. We had a couple of brief tough spots and then easily moved on. We were a team, creating our fun times and explorations together, allowing everyone space to be who they are.

Here are some tips for creating your own Awesome Adventures:

1. Do them! Without choosing an experience or destination and putting it in your calendar, everything that follows is meaningless. Make the time. Be courageous!

2. Choose an adventure you can easily do, not one that will cause you more stress. A 4-hour visit to a cool museum or into nature may be a better fit for you than a week camping or exploring New York City. Make it comfortably do-able.

3. Remember you want to create a win-win experience, so choose your adventure to delight everyone. Asking someone to fit into your agenda or need to see the relatives without including special experiences for everyone may not be so promising.

4. Focus on your highest priority. For most of us, this is going to be having fun together. Remember this during those moments of misunderstanding or annoyance, which are bound to occur. Be responsible for your own emotions and behavior in how your respond. You don’t want a knock-down-drag-out over the choice of a restaurant.

5. Get out in Nature. It is simply good for everyone. One of the wonderful things about being in Nature is she invites you to s-l-o-w down, to smell the wildflowers, to enjoy the inspiring view and to BE. Nature will also touch your heart, creating an opportunity for you and your family to feel more present and connected to one another.

We all go into summer with lots of anticipation of fun family times. What can you do to have even more Awesome Adventures with your family this summer? Please share in ‘Comments’ below.

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Parenting Solutions Programs

Want to make your summer with your kiddos easier and more fun? Just a quick suggestion!

If you have a parenting challenge or concern you’d like to resolve, I invite you to check out my online library of affordable, downloadable Parenting Solutions Programs. They cover the topics most parents tell me are their biggest frustrations and worries.

Click here to check them out!

Happy trails!

To your Joyous Family!
Connie

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Your Child is NOT the Cause of Your Frustration

June 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

This is a gentle reminder about my one-time-only teleclass tonight: “Keep Your Cool: How to Be More Patient with Your Child.”

I just received an email from a mom in our community who wondered about something I said in my last email.

What I wrote: “When you increase your awareness of what is stirring up your anger — it is NOT your child — then you begin to have needed awareness and strategies to calm to your inner emotional fire.”

Her question – Is this really true? “I’m curious why the child isn’t a potential source of the [parent’s} emotional response.”

This is certainly how it feels. Your anger and frustration seem to be caused by your child’s behavior. Yet, by stopping here and not questioning this belief or your anger, you miss important insights about yourself and your part in your repetitive frustrations with your child.

You really are in charge of your emotional responses, as hard to understand as that may be. It’s all about perception. Your child is NOT the source of your anger.

This is exactly what we are going to discuss tonight in the teleclass:

  • Why you really are the one responsible for your feelings of frustration
  • What are the real sources of your anger and frustration
  • How to take responsibility for your own emotional upsets
  • Specific, concrete strategies to deal with these real sources of your frustration.
  • Communication skills to prevent future upsets and make amends for your actions.

I have consistently found the most important and first place to put your attention is on yourself…as annoying as that may be. It is your only true, long-term source of power and positive influence with your child and your happiness.

Want to learn more about this personally empowering approach to handling your emotional upsets about your child?

Great! I invite you to join us for our call tonight “Keep Your Cool: How to Be More Patient with Your Child.” If you can’t be on the call live, sign-up and you’ll have the audio recording by tomorrow morning.

Click here now to take action and sign-up.

 

Filed Under: Children, Grandparenting, Parenting Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Are You Trying to Control Your Anger with Your Child?

June 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Most of us grow up being taught to worship the ‘God of Logic and Reason.’ You were mostly likely taught to use your intellect to think your way out of difficulties and to control your emotions. Because of this, you may be trying to use your rational mind to control your anger and frustration toward your child.

I’ve found the most effective way to work through emotional challenges is by focusing on your underlying emotions and to not try to suppress them and shove them under the rug. They are still there and will re-surface sometime in the future, probably with more intensity.

When you increase your awareness of what is stirring up your anger — it is NOT your child — then you begin to have needed awareness and strategies to calm to your inner emotional fire.

This is exactly why I am offering my one-time only teleclass “Keep Your Cool: How to Be More Patient with Your Child” on Monday, June 10. In this class, you will:

  • Become more aware of the under-lying causes of your irritation.
  • Learn new strategies to approach your repetitive challenges with your child so you stay cool as a cucumber.
  • Develop new skills to nurture your own emotional well-being.
  • Discover new tools to communicate with your child to reduce or eliminate the challenging moments.
  • Learn an effective 4- step process to ‘clean up the mess’ when you find yourself yelling at your child.

If you’re ready to turn anger and annoyance with your child toward greater calm and connection, I invite you to sign-up today for “Keep Your Cool: How to Be More Patient with Your Child.”

Click here now to sign-up and learn more.

Your relationship with your child is the most important asset when it comes to being a parent. Repetitive angry interactions dramatically harm and limit this relationship. Don’t let this affordable, easy opportunity go by!

 

Filed Under: Children, Fun, Grandparenting, Parenting Tagged With: , , , , ,

Are You Secretly Hoping for a ‘Perfect’ Child?

June 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Becoming impatient with your child is not something you think about. It’s something that seems to happen out of nowhere when your child does something you don’t like, something that doesn’t fit your idea of how and who he should be.

Your impatience occurs because an emotion is triggered within you, and you react. You cannot think your way to controlling your temper and managing your reactivity. You have to explore, observe, and feel your way to greater inner awareness and clarity.

In my coaching with parents, I’ve discovered many parents secretly hope for a ‘perfect’ child. A child who is always cooperative and does what you say instantly, and he does it happily.

Raising a ‘perfect’ child certainly seems like it would make parenting so much easier. There would be no conflict. She would always say and do the right things. He’d easily be nice and get along with everyone. You would be such a proud parent.

Sounds a little silly, right? You want your child to be the human being he is. The perfect child would get a little boring, and you’d begin to wonder what’s going on with your child…after months of enjoying his perfection. 🙂

Joking aside, the reality is that every time you feel impatient with you’re unconsciously wishing your child were different, were more the way you believe he should be. You’re resisting the reality of who he is right now.

Of course, you have to have structure and your needs and wants matter. Right now, I’m pointing out a possible source of your frustration.

Obviously, your child is a unique, whole, separate person.

Obviously, your child is going to have her own opinion and ways of doing things.

The next time you feel resistant and annoyed with what your child is doing, see if you can pause, take a deep breath, and notice what you believe your ‘perfect’ child should do. See if you can create some space between your belief and your emotional trigger.

See if you can find a little amusement with yourself for your humanity.

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Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about my upcoming new teleclass “Keep Your Cool: How to Be More Patient with Your Child” on Monday, June 10.

If you’d like more insights about:
What triggers you emotionally with your child
How to be less reactive and more responsive to your child
How to clean up the hurt, distance, and mistrust after you speak angrily with your child

I invite you to sign-up for my teleclass today! I’ll be sharing lots more goodies and strategies with you then.

Click here to sign-up and learn more.

 

Filed Under: Children, Fun, Grandparenting, Parenting Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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