Comments on: Economic Stimulus Parenting Workshop!

By: lisa

lisa — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:53:18 +0000

I have always wanted to take this class, and I think it would help my husband and I in working better with our children. Additionally, my husband was laid off in October, leaving me as the primary bread winner, dinner maker, and booboo healer. Now, he is going back to school full time to complete his MBA quicker, thus making time and financial strains harder.

I would soooo appreciate any support in being a better mother, both financially, and emotionally.

By: Veronica Martinez

Veronica Martinez — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:25:59 +0000

I would absolutely love to attend one of your workshops! I am terrible with money and I am an “average” parent to my two little kids. I would love to learn positive new ways of leading my life and making a good example for the little ones. Thank you so much for the e-mails – they are very helpful. God bless <

By: Les

Les — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:17:50 +0000

I feel helpless at times with my older daughter who is five. She gets her feelings hurt so easily and is extremely jealous of the 3 year old daughter. I need some techniques to improve our lives so we can all be happy and grow into stable adults.

By: N

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:57:29 +0000

I am a divorced mother of three children, two boys and one girl, ages 11, 10 and 8. I was given the revelation that medicine was where I belonged as a profession four years ago. I wanted to become a pediatrician, but considering the time required, and the fact that my oldest son was 4 at the time, I decided to go into nursing instead. I can become an MD anytime…I only get one chance to watch my children grow up, and I wanted to be there. I’ve put myself through nursing school, seeking to live by example for my children how to follow your dreams and not be limited. Now an RN, I recently pulled all three out of the public school system and have begun homeschooling them. My youngest has always been a huge challenge: he is creative, sensitive, and oh so intelligent, and the school system was failing to give him what he needed. I was dismayed by the attitudes, behaviors and languages my other two were bringing home, so when they expressed an interest in being homeschooled, they came home too. They are happy with the change, but now, being so close together all the time, I find it even more important that we be able to communicate with each other. It is just me and them, and I find myself grasping for every possible tool I can reach to aid them in becoming the outstanding individuals I know they have the potential to be. This program sounds like it is something that would benefit us immeasurably.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:19:18 +0000

I am a SAHM to 4 children: 8,4, 3, and 4 days from being 2. I am hoping to gain insight in helping my 4 and 3 year old listen. Obviously, my 4 year old’s defiance/lack of hearing is affecting my 3 year old and going down from there. Life has been SOOO trying. I have in essence given up by having in an all day program. My 3 year old has ADHD tendencies and is already a handful by herself but it gets so much worse with her big brother around. They antagonize each other and it never ends. Parenting classes in that past have never gotten me to the root of the problem to help fix the issues. I am hoping that through this course I will learn invaluable approach for all of my children that can last a lifetime.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:04:24 +0000

Hi! I am so excited to hear about this program and the idea that I might beable to participate to learn how to be a more effective parent would be such a wonderful opportunity. I am a single mom with 4 kids and am seriously struggling. Thier dad has very little involvement as he lives out of state. I had a single, alcoholic mom growing up and I was an only child who did not receive much parenting. I feel at a total loss with my 4 little ones. My oldest daughter, age 15, has very little respect for me and chooses not to get up for school on a regular basis. She will not listen to me at all, and now her brother age 13 has started this same behavior! The court system has gotten involved and my oldest daughter is going to court about once a month, they have ‘court ordered’ her to go to school… but she is still chooses not to get up for school despite my futile attempts, and the courts! She does not listen to me, and beats up on her little brother and sisters, age 9 and 7. I would be so excited to see some change in the way I speak to her so that she will want to listen to me as well as treat her little brother and sisters with some common courtesy! I would so appreciate some parenting tools to use to enable me to be a better parent with all of my children (there are issues with all of them) because quite honestly, I don’t have any idea what to do. I seriously need help! Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! Sincerely ~ Amy

By: Amy Munoz

Amy Munoz — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:31:23 +0000

It was during the first counseling session with my 10 yr old daughter (with a teenage attitude) that I abruptly realized that it was me who needed the counseling… Not my child. After sharing a little with our new therapist, she looked straight at me and asked “and Mom, what did you do about that”? Of course I was happy to share my parenting strategy and I responded with “I, um, well I um I” And from that point on I understood that it was not my daughter, as much as it was the lack of structure and related consequences from me! Kids will push as long as you let them. My parenting style or lack thereof was not working. So “what am I going to do about it”? Learn from this workshop and take responsibility for setting strong guidelines and child specific consequences.
What would I like to gain from this you ask?
I want my oldest to pass her 4 year old sister without shoving her aside to get by. I would love to see my 4 year old daughter kick her pacifier habit and understand that rolling her eyes, whining endlessly and yelling is not okay even if her sister does it. I would like her sister to stop yelling, whining endlessly and do her homework for Pete’s sakes and for the love, brush their teeth without being told a billion times. I would like my daughters to learn to share with each other, without being forced to. To be respectful to each other (and me) and when forced to say “I’m sorry, at least say it like they mean it. I would love to see simple things like playing together nicely, hugs and kisses between the two and developing strong relationship that will last forever. I want my beautiful little girl to wake up without telling me I’ve” ruined a perfect day” by sending her to school and to stop calling me “Mother” with that teenage tone. Lastly, I want to be able to get my daughters attention without having to threaten, “I’ll call Daddy” which is the ex husband that is a Jackass but still holds kid power.
Seems simple enough when I read back through this note but the reality is that I need trainig in order to raise these beautiful little girls to become happy, self suffecint and secure young women.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:38:44 +0000

HI,

I am a very engaged mom and it’s the most difficult but worthy job I have ever had. I have two boys ages 9 and 6, they even share the same birthday!! The oldest always thinks the youngest gets away with too much , the youngest thinks he never gets to do anything like the oldest. I love them dearly and try to help them daily with their life skills and sibling rivalry. I feel like most of the time it is merely me talking and them hearing blah blah blah. I want to be able to effectively communicate to them in a way that is helpful. Thanks for offering this program to us.

Leslie

By: Tracy

Tracy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:43:33 +0000

I hope to gain the very essence of the title; How to talk so that my kids will listen!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:06:33 +0000

I have a challenging 15 year old son who has ODD, Bi-polar and ADHD. He has been suspended from school and had in-school suspension. He recently attended a two week out patient program at a local hospital. My husband and I are exhausted and we have a 10 year old daughter that has to see us dealing with this young man day in and day out. My husband and I could really use some uplifting, helpful information. Thanks for your consideration. L.M.

By: Lilianna

Lilianna — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:22:19 +0000

Ooops… I see that my response is late.. I wish you the best.. the winner of this seminar.. I see from all the responses that the need is very great! I have comfort knowing I am not alone in this area. Thank you! To all of you who poured out your hearts. There are so many caring families represented here!!

By: Lilianna

Lilianna — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:50:23 +0000

Thank you so much for the gifts you have given to me and my family. The gift of listening, communicating and extending to others those attributes that we ourselves cherish and jealously guard in our personal lives – well, to be able to enhance this in any increment will be most appreciated and welcomed. I look forward to the workshop as a means for this enhancement to begin! Thank you!

By: geula

geula — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:36:13 +0000

I would love to give this workshop to my beloved daughter who is a young widow and a mother of a three year old
she struggles to find the patience to give this beautiful young child all that she needs and all that is right
thank you

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:41:43 +0000

Ellen,
(I may have sent a partial message by mistake. Here I go again.)
I am the director of an early childhood education program, formerly a college professor and parent educator. One of the parents in my program turned me on to your website. I am grateful to have purchased Animal School. It had a great impact on parents. Thank you.
For years, I have been recommending How to Talk . . . as my favorite book ever. It should be on everyone’s night stand. When was first reading it, my husband, an obstetrician, was reading over my shoulder and eventually took it from me. He told me that the next day, AS he was delivering a baby, he told the new parents about the book!!
I would like to recommend this workshop to the parents at our program. I am very interested in knowing (with some more notice) about the workshops coming up in early 2009. In fact, my next newsletter (due to the editor on Dec. 1) is about discipline and self-esteem. I was planning on siting Faber and Mazlish. I would like to site the workshop. Have you thought about putting the workshop on DVD and selling that?
Thank you again for your wisdom.

By: Mellany

Mellany — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:00:53 +0000

I have a son that is an absolute miracle. He was born 1 pound 7 ounces and he is a fighter. He was born at 25 weeks and had less than a 15% chance of life. He has had 5 or so surgeries and is getting stronger everyday. Life is not simple when you have a medically fragile child to raise. The Raising Small Souls website is a constant reminder of my ability to love and support this child to make him a good contribution to society.

I desperately need this session to give me a good basis for my family. My husband and I come from two different worlds and as we begin to discuss and develop our family tenets, we are learning the importance of how that all is intertwined with our education and discipline of our child.

Thank you for what you do to help parents stay centered. I love your website.

By: Norma G

Norma G — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:59:58 +0000

We were a blended family and earlier this year things changed. My daughters and I are alone and it has been difficult making the adjustments. They are teenagers (15, 16 and 17) and along with teenage girl issues, our financial situation and just living together is getting complicated. I am hoping your course will not only help me learn to talk to my kids, but they will also learn how to socialize with other people.

By: Ardella

Ardella — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:23:53 +0000

I am a mom of three that have issues from bipolar to ADHD. I believe that this would help me, not only with my family, but also with those that i come in contact with as a Family Representative in my advocacy work, as i attend and present workshops.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:04:08 +0000

My parents were lacking in the communication dept. They yelled a lot and I see that coming out in me with my 4 year old.
She shys away from me when I raise my voice and I’m quickly realizing, as she is coming into her personality and pushing
her limits, that I am not communicating very effectively. I want to understand her and help her understand that open
communication is the most important thing in a relationship. I want her to respect my husband and I and at the same
time I want her to reaize that she is respected by us. I have read lots of magazines and talked to “experts”, but
would love the opportuntity to learn as much as I can about raising my daugher to be the best person she can be, as well
as helping my husband and I deal with raising an only child.
Thanks!

By: Cari

Cari — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:39:40 +0000

Being an older sister to two brothers never prepared me to be the Mom of 3 boys (15, 8, & 6). My oldest boy just happens to have Down Syndrome and has abilities that range from the 3 year old level all the way up to age appropriate (only thing is we haven’t figured out what triggers each type of behavior which makes things interesting to say the least). Well, the other day I had a ‘bad Mommy’ moment due to this oldest one getting into stuff he isn’t supposed to get into and making a royal mess which I woke up to at 5:30am (I’m not a morning person). Anyway, I exploded and then realized I was handling it all wrong and beat a hasty retreat to the shower where I proceeded to cry and berate myself. My youngest got up and found me crying and asked what was wrong. I responded with, “Oh, I’m just the worst mommy in the world.” He responded with, “No you’re not! You’re the bestest, bestest, bestest Mommy!” I want so badly to feel I deserve that title! Also, I’ve often joked that the old saying Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus must be true because when I speak my sons don’t always understand me. Please help!

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:15:26 +0000

What I would hope to gain from this workshop is to learn effective communication skills to help my sons, 12 and 14 deal with the grief of losing their father in February. My 14 year old is having a really difficult time finding a reason to do anything at all especially school work. I know this is a challenging age to begin with and with this added pressure it is more difficult. I am not at my best right now either so anything that could improve this situation would be extremely helpful.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:09:32 +0000

Would this seminar be useful if I only have a kids 4 and under???

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:44:53 +0000

Our family would really benefit by my husband and I taking this webinar. We have twin 13 year olds who are terrific and challenging. One of our twins was recently dx’d with ADD and we are particularly in need of support and guidance.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:32:13 +0000

I hope to open within to the parenting I received and continue to receive from myself. I hope to become vulnerable enough to grow into a parent who loves unconditionally and guides the children in a loving non critical way.I hope to be able to inspire the children by accessing that part in me which is inspired and has transcended the parenting of my parents.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:37:06 +0000

I am a single, Christian mommy and have one strong willed 6 year old girl. We do have a fabulous relationship, but I feel the need to improve my communication skills now so that I am equipped to handle the upcoming preteen and teen years. We are involved in church and have strengthened those bonds to help provide structure and guidance in these young years. I am very concerned about future media and peer influence in her life. I also want to ensure that she is confident and secure to make independent choices as she grows.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:16:22 +0000

I have 2 children, ages 5 and 6, and would hope that these lessons would foster better communication and honest relationships in our family. Both of my children are so empathetic that I believe there are times they are censoring what they share with me in an attempt to protect my feelings. I want them both to know that what is most important to me in our relationship is open communication and that this leads to growth for everyone involved. They know that I will love them no matter what, but they need to know that relationships can survive disappointments in each other. Learning this truth now can equip them to have fuller relationships their whole life, impacting the world one person at a time. I know that being a people pleaser can be a self defeating behavior when it gets in the way of who you are and what you really believe. I want them to have a voice for what is right and not just what is status quo.