Workshop and Lecture Topics

Soothing Sibling Rivalry

When you added one more to your family, you probably never expected you'd be adding quadruple the challenges. If the dynamics between your children are starting to make you think about moving to a different country (alone), come to this seminar before you move out. We'll talk about issues directly related to parents who have more than one child (or who are expecting a new addition). We'll examine how parents can encourage a healthy, loving relationship between their sibs.Read more...

Taming Tantrums

Are you embarrassed when your child throws a terrible tantrum in public? Do you find yourself placating or giving in to your child because you're worried that he'll pitch a fit in a store? Do you feel helpless, frustrated and even angry when tantrums occur? Has your child ever thrown a tantrum that made you want to have one too? Well, tantrum no more! This workshop focuses on tantrums and the most effective methods of diminishing their frequency. You'll leave with plenty of tools that work!

The Power Of Encouragement

Encouragement is a powerful motivator that also builds children's self-esteem. When children feel encouraged, they're more likely to cooperate with others, to share, to engage in classroom activities, to be responsible, and to solve problems themselves. Yet we often unintentionally discourage children. Learn the four ways in which we unintentionally discourage children, what our original motives were for doing things that way, and how we can turn those discouragers around to be encouragersRead more...

The Terrible Teens: Building A New Relationship With Your Child

"Teenagers! Dey tink dey know everyting!" proclaims Sebastian, the "guardian" crab of 'Ariel', the Little Mermaid in Disney's film of the same title. "And isn't that the truth!" most parents of a teenager respond with despair. .For many parents and their teens, adolescence is a period of upheaval and conflict. A child who was once cooperative and communicative suddenly becomes opinionated, withdrawn, and rebellious. Parents often wake up one morning to find themselves totally bewildered about how to handle this "stranger" who used to be their child.Read more...

Tween Lecture: How to Hug a Porcupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Years

What’s a parent to do when their 10-to-14 year old gets an attitude, rolls their eyes, and slams doors? The middle school years can be a minefield for kids and parents. This workshop provides specific strategies for parents of 5th to 8th graders to set limits and talk to their kids about peer pressure, raging hormones, mood swings, body image, computer “addiction,” sibling rivalry, and other prickly issues. Julie Ross' field-tested techniques help parents shift from a "controlling" to a "relationship" approach--proving that it is possible to hug a porcupine, once you know how.

Whining

Early on, children discover a tone of voice that raises the hairs on the back of the best parents' necks. Yet despite reminding, cajoling, ignoring, and even disciplining, the habit of whining seems to persist. This workshop will examine why children whine, how it actually serves their needs and gets them what they want, and how parents can break children of this annoying habit. No theory here, just practical skills that all parents need.