Readings

The impact of marriage problems on children poor role model to teach them how to listen empathetically and solve problems cooperatively parental conflict can affect the development of an infant's autonomic nervous system, which determines a child's ability to cope whether a care-taker is calm and engaging or anxious and depressed may make a difference in a baby's long-term ability to respond to stimuli, to calm herself and recover from stress Children need to regulate their emotions in order to focus attention, to concentrate and learn, to read other people's body language, facial expressions, and social cues. many of them are especially vulnerable to influences outside the family, such as from boyfriends or girlfriends, other peers, adult authority figures, and the media.  It's the intense hostility and bad communication that develops between unhappily married couples that have deleterious effects on children Completely Avoiding conflicts in front of chil...

It's not a good time to do emotion-coaching when you're pressed for time. because emotion-coaching needs time and coaching without genuine care cannot fool children.  It's important to designate a time - preferably at the same period each day --- when you can talk to your child without time pressures or interruptions. Families of small children often do this before bedtime or during a bath. With school-age kids and teenagers, heart-to-heart chats often happen as you share chores, such as washing dishes or folding laundry.  you'd better do emotion coaching one on one , rather than in front of other family members, friends or strangers.  Emotion coaching takes a certain level of creative thoughts and energy. Postpone emotion coaching until you get the rest or comfort you need to revitalize yourself When your child behaves in a way that upsets you and goes against your moral code, you need to voice your disapproval. Emotion coaching to address the child's feeli...

Empower your child by giving choices, respecting wishes In addition to a sense of responsibility, giving children choices helps them to build self-esteem. A child whose parents constantly limit choice gets the message. "You are not only small, but your desires also don't matter very much". If this works, she may grow to be obedient and cooperative, but she will have very little sense of herself. When a child's wishes and preferences are habitually ignored. Many grow up without a strong sense of their own likes and dislikes. Some never learn how to makes choices at all. The earlier a child learns to express preferences and make wise choices, the better.  Children's preferences help them form their identities. When their wishes are granted, children get the message: "what I want matters after all, how I feel makes a difference" "I am the kind of child who doesn't like foods mixing on my plate. I have the power to make this food yummy". ...