When my son first began to try to control me, like when I can go to the bathroom, my nervous system had a really hard time with this.  I have always had a strong visceral reaction to being controlled, but I really tried to contain this because he’s Autistic and PDA (Pathological Demand...

Let’s face it…Parenting can be a real challenge in the face of a child who keeps doing or saying things you don’t like.

The path I see most parents take is the following:

Try to stay calm and convince the child to do what you want them to do.

Child...

Although the idea of the holidays and "vacation time" can feel so exciting and relaxing, it often becomes the opposite experience, leaving you wondering if this is really a "holiday" or a "stress-oliday".

Why can the holidays be such a triggering time for many?

I'm sure you can...

The most common pattern I see in parents who are reactive towards their kids is they are hard on themselves.

Many of us believe that in order to do better in life we must be hard on ourselves.

You might be thinking…nah…that’s not me…but let’s just entertain this...

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by the challenges of life?

You’ve got deadlines at work, you’re feeling exhausted, your kids are having meltdowns, and you feel like you’ve got a handle on things, but then something big happens or you get some bad news, and you feel like...

Have you ever been told to “look on the bright side” or to “just think positive and things will be ok”?

Or perhaps you have tried positive affirmations like: “I love myself, I believe in myself, I am grateful for…” only to find that they...

As I sat on the couch with my son, trying to get him to do his homework, with him resisting it as usual, I felt a wave of frustration overcome me. I just couldn’t understand why he seemingly lacked the motivation.

So, I did what many well-meaning parents do. I pushed a little, and a...

Ever find yourself saying “I hate this kid! I wish he were different! She makes my life so much harder!” and perhaps even “I wish I never had this kid!”? Or maybe even a milder form of “I can’t believe she’s so ungrateful and disrespectful!”?

 ...

“NO!” is the word you often hear from your strong-willed child. Often accompanied by tantrums, meltdowns and even physical aggression, these children just won’t let go until they get what they want.

As parents we often call these children “difficult, hard, defiant...

It is in times of crisis, when our whole life is being affected, that we are called upon to draw from deep within us what exists beneath the fear, uncertainty, helplessness, anger and frustration…and, that is COURAGE.

Courage to be with the intense emotions;

Courage to make...