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Most of the time when sisters and brothers are at each other’s throats, I don’t have a clue what each of them wants and needs. I often get drawn or called to the scene too late to know. In addition, I really want my involvement to be really boring. I don’t want to add fuel [...] Read more...
Elaine Shpungin writes another great article on managing family conflict: 3 Steps that Transform Sibling Conflict into Sibling Camaraderie: http://bit.ly/94KTHd I love the simple and clear way Elaine Shpungin writes about a way to hear each other when the kids are fighting…even when I see my children roll their eyes and balk at the idea [...] Read more...
The Most Important Thing To Know About Conflict: Turning ideas about conflict, safety, and explosiveness upside down. Re-Published with permission from the author Elaine Shpungin There is something my parents and teachers never told me about conflict. To increase safety, move towards it. I’m guessing that this idea, for many of you, is not only [...] Read more...
by Wendy McDonnell When my oldest son was younger than five years old, he would place his hands over his ears and yell, “Too many words!”, when I would ask him about how he was feeling. What seemed like a simple question to me, was overwhelming to him. I wanted to help him. The number [...] Read more...
written by Wendy McDonnell I woke up today feeling frazzled. Yes. I hadn’t even gotten out of bed and I was already anticipating and dreading the day ahead. Meditating didn’t seem to go all that well either. As I closed my eyes and began to breathe, I was summoned by a small voice or arguing [...] Read more...
written by Wendy McDonnell Inspired by hearing others speak about their mothers, I was thinking about the things my Mom used to say. You’ve probably heard these before. Maybe, like me, you’ve caught yourself saying them yourself. Don’t make me stop this car. Close that door! We don’t live in a barn! Stop crying or [...] Read more...
Most of my life, I’ve relied on experts to tell me what to do. Even when I did “all the right things”, I still ended up in trouble. Even now, knowing what to do doesn’t always mean that I do that. I stumble and make mistakes especially when I’m exhausted and I haven’t taken care of [...] Read more...
by Inessa Love (published with permission, March 2010) Inessa writes: While the context of the article is about a parent-child relationship, I believe the same idea will apply to all relationships. When we are expressing ourselves authentically and vulnerably, we open the door for the natural compassion to arise. It works beautifully with children and [...] Read more...
In a busy family, it’s hard not to lose my temper and say things I regret. My friends know that I’m not perfect. I strive to give myself and others grace as my family and I learn to live compassionately with each other. Sometimes, my kids and I laugh, “Where did our listening ears go? [...] Read more...
I deeply respect the courage and focus of parents who create a secure family after divorce that values respectful communication, cooperation, and understanding. These parents manage to find ways to focus on taking care of their kids while resolving painful conflicts. This is not easy. While many people think that divorce should be a fight [...] Read more...
Wendy McDonnell helps parents create trusting, open relationships with their kids and their partners through her weekly radio show Family Matters, workshops, and coaching. She homeschools with her four spirited children (ages 5-12 years) and her husband. Wendy participates in and assists Family Camps and Leadership Programs to understand, live, and share parenting practices that encourage families to live with compassion, connection and peace. You can also find her spinning tricks with her hula hoop, walking in the woods, and curled up reading a good book alone or with her family. Read more »
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