Archive for December, 2008

Radio show interviews

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 | radio shows | No Comments

My Career Story
On Friday February 27, 2009, I was interviewed by Mark Franklin in Toronto, Ontario. His radio show, Career Buzz, explores the real twists and turns of career choices. Hear my story and find out why I am passionate about what I do: http://www.careercycles.com/CareerBuzz.htm 
Wendy McDonnell is a Certified Family Communications Coach who provides Communication and Parenting Support. She shows people how to use the gift of conflict to strengthen relationships rather than pulling them apart. She helps conscious parents change the way we look at our families to support win-win or collaborative relationships where all our needs can be valued and heard no matter how old we are.
If your kids are driving you nuts, and your partner is right there with them, you’ve come to the right place!
If you are new to coaching, visit my website www.CompassionateSolutions.ca and enjoy your FREE Preview Coaching and Consultation Session with me.
Sign up for my FREE online newsletter and receive your gift today! 10 things you can do to bring peace into your life now. www.CompassionateSolutions.ca.
Ask a question about how to reduce power struggles and improve your family relationships by visiting www.askWendyMcDonnell.com
Spritual Parenting: Co-creating wonderful relationships with the ones we love.
I’m really excited to share my first radio show interview recorded on December 30th, 2008!
Download a recording and listen for yourself: http://www.compassionatesolutions.ca/events_resources.php
The Manifesting Your Life Radio Show with Gary Glasscock discusses spiritual and metaphysical topics. Listen to the broadcast http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Gary-Glasscock/2008/12/30/Manifesting-Your-Life-Radio-Show

Quiet time

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 | Self-Care | No Comments

“Here’s a gift you may not have expected. It’s a gift for you to give yourself. Sometime in your day today, try to turn off all the noises you can around you, and give yourself some ‘quiet time’. . . Have you noticed it’s the little quiet moments in the midst of life that seem to give the rest extra-special meaning?” Fred Rogers of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and Family Communications

I was standing in a check out line this weekend waiting to pay for Christmas gifts my husband and I were purchasing. I noticed that I felt calm and peaceful. I realized that this store at Christmas-time was quieter than my house with my four children. I vowed to give myself more quiet time. Tonight, after dinner, I took a nap, my husband took the kids out of the house, and I enjoyed a couple of hours of quiet time. After my nap, I did 25 minutes of yoga. I feel refreshed and serene. I notice I am better able to say what I want to say and do what I want to do in alignment with my values and integrity when I feel this calm.

I invite you all to share how you enjoy your quiet time. Where do you go? What do you do? Do you get quiet time everyday? Would you like some help in over-coming challenges to meeting your needs for self-care?

Bring joy back to the holidays

Monday, December 1st, 2008 | connection | No Comments

The holidays are fast approaching.
If you’re like most parents, you’re plagued with the concerns of time constraints, fatigue, and too many things going on over the holidays. That leaves most of us feeling stressed, disappointed, and arguing with the ones we love.

Plan to feel refreshed and renewed. Find a way to make this holiday special and memorable. Don’t end up feeling stressed and disappointed again because you have nothing to show for all your hard work once the tinsel is gone.

Here are some tips to make this holiday a story to remember for years to come.

1) Plan more time than you think you’ll need.
If it’s time you need, create time for yourself.
Stop telling yourself, “I don’t have enough time.” Decide what it is that you’d like time for and make that time.
Give yourself more time to get things done, talk to someone, or travel somewhere.
Wondering about what you’ll do if you have too much time on your hands?
Do what kids do and play!

2) Rest.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted, listen to your feelings. They are your wake up call to get more rest. Listen to yourself!
Catch up on sleep, time with the kids, family, and friends.

3) Slow down and take your time in whatever you do.
Stop complaining about too many things going on. You’re the one in charge of your schedule. If you’ve scheduled too many things, decide to do things differently.
Divided attention is a major cause of stress. Decide to focus on one thing at a time.

For instance, take time to unwrap only one present at a time, thank the giver directly, and then open the next present. Ask your family to give you more time to appreciate the gifts that are received. You don’t want to be rushed because this is a very special time and you want to enjoy it with them.
Eat slowly. Notice everything that you put into your mouth. Chew your food.
Do one activity at a time. Enjoy it. Move onto the next.

4) Talk to each other.
Misunderstanding is a major cause of arguments. The best way to understand each other is to listen.
With all that time on your hands, slow down and really hear and notice what other people are saying. Instead of trying to fix anything or arguing with the ones you love, take time to listen deeply to what they are saying. Seek to understand the very important reason why they are saying and doing the things they are doing. Be curious. Ask questions.
Before you speak, decide what it is you want to say. Will you say it without regret? Will it nourish your relationship or pull it apart? Think about why you want to say something before you say it.

5) Play.
Make a snowman or snow angel. Go skating, skiing, or tobogganing.
Get down on the floor. Make a puzzle or play a board game.
Remember the very important reason why children enjoy themselves more than adults. They still know how to play!

You can bring joy and magic back into the holiday season. Your family relationships are worth it.

May your family relationships be wonderful for the holidays and into 2009.