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: , , , , , ,

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.

*******

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: , , , , , , , ,

Why Reducing Your Stress is Important to Your Family

May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

First of all, thank you to all of you who shared with me what most upsets and causes you stress. I am using your feedback to help me design the class.

This week has been interesting as I’ve been preparing my upcoming class “De-Stress Your Life for Parents.” At first, I thought I didn’t have that much to say. But, as the week has progressed, I realize I have a LOT to share with you about this important topic.

You see, I am quite an expert on stress as I have wrestled with it myself in my own life. Time pressures and commitments…this is probably my biggest one. Needless worry about my health, my family at times.

Along the way, I’ve discovered and developed insights and strategies that have made a big difference. I’d love to share these with you so you can free yourself and enjoy your life more.

Be sure to note: The teleclass is this next Monday, May 6. Even if you can’t be on the call live, you can still sign up and get all the information in the recording and handout.

If you’re ready to take action to de-stress your life, I’d love to have you join us!

Click here to sign-up and get more info.

Happy trails!

To your Joyous Family!

Connie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Video: “Why Reducing Your Stress is Important to Your Family”

Your stress affects not only you. It affects everyone in your family.

I know you care deeply about your family or you wouldn’t be receiving my emails and you wouldn’t even be taking the time to read this one email. You have a lot of other things you could be doing, yet you choose to do this right now.

In today’s short video, I share with you 3 important ways your family feels the effects of your stress.

I invite you to watch it now and then commit to make May the month to learn, develop, and implement skills and strategies to reduce your stress – now.

Filed Under: Loving Yourself, Parenting, Partnering Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Don’t Miss This Call Tonight! Nurture your Child’s Self-Confidence

March 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

This is your last chance to join us for my class tonight “5 Essential Secrets to Raising a Self-Confident Child.” I have so much crucial information to share with you.

In fact, as I’ve been finalizing the content for the class, I’ve discovered I have SIX essential secrets to share with you. I promised I would give you the best I have about nurturing your child’s self-confidence, and that is exactly what I am going to do.

Often parents don’t recognize when their child is struggling with confidence, a lack of grounded trust in herself. Yet if your child has recurrent emotional meltdowns or angry outbursts, if your child hesitates, is often uncertain, or lacks motivation, your child is in some way struggling with self-confidence.

I invite you to take a moment and consider how important your child and his confidence is to you.

Then consider what you are willing to invest of your time and finances to nurture that. It’s probably a lot.

Now let this powerful feeling of commitment to your child and her self-confidence move you to take action right now.

Sure, spending more money and being on the phone tonight may not sound like the highlight of your day right now. But what if you leave the class more energized, more inspired, more focused and clear about what you need to do to nurture this all-important quality in your child?

What if you can make a profound, positive change in your child’s life by making a few simple changes in your own behavior and in your awareness of what your child needs from you?

The time is now. There is no more ‘tomorrow’ to sign-up. I’d love to share this information with you.

Click here to sign-up now.

If you already have something you’re doing tonight during this time and cannot be on the call live, sign-up now and I will send you the audio recording and the transcript within just a couple of days.

Plus, if you have a question you’d like to ask me about your unique situation, go ahead and register and then email your question to me by 3 pm Pacific today, and I will answer your question during the 30-minute Q & A at the end of the class.

Don’t miss this impactful, life-changing information! I am blown-away by all the content I will be sharing with you tonight!

Click here to sign-up now.

Oh, and when you come to the call tonight, be sure to have paper and pencil and your favorite drink so you can get the most from this class for yourself and your child.

I look forward to talking with you soon.

To your Joyous Family!
Connie

P.S. Please tell your friends and family who might also want this information about nurturing their child’s self-confidence. Make a difference in their lives too! Thanks.

Filed Under: Children, Current Affairs, Education, Grandparenting, Parenting Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Praise Damages Your Child’s Self-Confidence

March 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Many people will tell you to praise your child, that it helps her self-esteem and develops self-confidence. Yet if you are a parent who praises your child, you’ve probably noticed that it may make her feel good in the moment but does little to build self-confidence in the long run.

You continue to see signs of your child struggling with self-confidence. Or perhaps you want to do all you can to develop his feeling of being able to trust himself so you praise him often.

You may believe praise and encouragement help your child’s self-confidence; yet, in fact, you may be unintentionally and unknowingly diminishing and limiting her confidence.

In my new video below “How Praise Damages Your Child’s Self-Confidence,” I share with you two powerful ways in which praising and encouraging your child actually limits this crucial quality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you’ve missed any of my previous videos about nurturing your child’s confidence, click the links below.

“5 Qualities Your Child Needs to Be Self-Confident”

“Why Your Child’s Self-Confidence Matters”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If your child’s self-confidence is a priority for you, don’t miss my new teleclass “5 Essential Secrets to Raising a Self-Confident Child.”

In this class, you will learn:

~ 5 reasons why self-confidence is important

~ 3 ways introverted children express their self-confidence that is different than extroverted children

~ Why encouragement actually diminishes your child’s confidence and what to do instead

~ 5 effective, simple do-now actions that will nurture genuine self-confidence in your child

The teleclass (class by phone) is next week on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30 Pacific.

Don’t let this one get by you!

Click here to sign-up and learn more now!

I hope you enjoy the videos!

ConnieSig100px

 

Filed Under: Children, Grandparenting, Parenting Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »