Do you have a picture of what the holidays should look like? Most of us do whether we admit it or not. And when the reality doesn't match the expectation you have in your head, it feels awful. Parents of acting-out kids know this firsthand because the reality so often doesn't match their expectations. And... Read more »
This is the story of James Lehman, my husband, and my partner in changing the lives of thousands of parents and kids worldwide through The Total Transformation® program. His story is both incredible and common. It's a story of struggle, triumph and always looking forward to doing the next thing right. It's a story of hope. Imagine... Read more »
If you need your child to behave for you to be calm, then you give your child tremendous power. They now control your emotions, and you feel overwhelmed and powerless. You will be much more effective as a parent if you can stay calm no matter what. “Calm?! How am I supposed to be calm when... Read more »
"It's not my fault. That's not fair!" How many times has your child shouted this when she’s upset? Although it’s often difficult to know how to respond to this as a parent, understand that it’s normal for children and teens to feel this way from time to time. Kids have keener “fairness detectors” than we... Read more »
Summer vacation has arrived, and so have calls to the support line from parents who are pulling their hair out about their kids now that school is out. Why is the end of school an invitation for kids to cause trouble—with siblings, friends and parents? Kids often see the summer months as a time to do... Read more »
Are you often exhausted as a parent? Do you regularly feel drained, overwhelmed and off-balance when it comes to raising your kids? It’s hard for every parent, but when your children have tough behavioral problems, like ADHD, frequent defiance or other chronic acting-out behaviors, the task of raising them to adulthood can sometimes feel like... Read more »
Does your child’s behavior become more obnoxious, demanding and “smart-alecky” when he has an audience? Some kids just seem to “step up the show” as soon as their friends come over. You’ll see this happening with both kids who are occasionally out of line, and those who are obnoxious chronically. Chronically obnoxious kids often have... Read more »
Recently, I talked with the mother of a 16-year-old girl enrolled in Empowering Parent's eCoaching program about her daughter’s behavior outside of the house. This mom had just begun the Total Transformation program, but had questions about how to use its techniques to make her daughter follow the rules when she was away from home.... Read more »
"On the way home from work every day, I start getting stressed out because I know that my 15-year-old son will be waiting, ready to start a fight with me. There are times when I want to turn the car around and not deal with him anymore, but I know that's wrong. I'm so tired... Read more »
If you are a parent who negotiates constantly with your child, you probably feel like you’re living with a little lawyer who “objects” to every rule and request and wears you down with endless questions and challenges. With some kids, everything becomes a negotiation, and it starts from the time they... Read more »
