by admin | Nov 11, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
Unsupervised Parties and A Control Freak for 11/11/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: This year we moved our two high school kids to a new area. Both kids report having no friends. It’s been a difficult transition. They say the only way they can make friends is if I allow them to go to parties. But all of the parties are unsupervised. Do I have to let them go? –Feeling Guilty
Dear Guilty: I’m guessing the move wasn’t their choice so you feel more responsible for their happiness. Hence, the guilt. But don’t let guilt cloud your good judgment. Work through this problem with open communication.
Updated: Sat Nov 11, 2017
Unsupervised Parties and A Control Freak for 11/11/2017
by admin | Nov 10, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
Undesirable Music Major and Biking Around Town for 11/10/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My son is applying to colleges to be a music major. He has visions of a career on Broadway or in the music business. He’s talented, and I’ve always enjoyed his music. However, I think he isn’t good enough to make a career out of it. He says he doesn’t mind having little money as long as he can make music. My husband and I think he should keep music as a hobby and find a more practical career. Would it be wrong to threaten to take away his tuition money if he decides to pursue music? –Scared
Dear Scared: Would it be wrong? Emphatically, yes! It would be very wrong to bully your child into a different career path by taking away his ability to pay for college.
Here’s how the situation could play out. After you threaten withdrawing your support your son decides to be an accounting major. It’s a safe career with lots of jobs. He drudges through his classes while playing music on the side. All seems well. Your son graduates and immediately gets a high paying job at a respected firm. Terrific. Now he gets married, has children and works longs hours. He doesn’t play music anymore. There really isn’t time. He clocks into a job that he realizes he never enjoyed, and he becomes dangerously depressed. He calls you in tears one day saying his life didn’t turn out like he planned.
Updated: Fri Nov 10, 2017
Undesirable Music Major and Biking Around Town for 11/10/2017
by admin | Nov 4, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
Procrastination King and Family Dinner for 11/04/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My son is the king of procrastination. He often manages to complete his work at the very last minute. Other times he doesn’t. But every time there is arguing, stress, nagging and at least one total freakout. How can I help my son break this habit? – Procrastinator’s Dad
Dear Dad: Procrastination in and of itself isn’t a problem. While it may be unpleasant for you and your son, if he is completing his work, then the delaying isn’t having a disastrous effect. The issue is the arguing, the stress and the nagging that tend to accompany the delays.
Updated: Sat Nov 04, 2017
Procrastination King and Family Dinner for 11/04/2017
by admin | Nov 3, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
Snapchat and a Bossy Daughter for 11/03/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My almost 13-year-old daughter is begging for a Snapchat account. I am resistant, but she is wearing me down. I am not even sure why I am unwilling. Should I hold my ground? – Not Sure Parents
Dear Not Sure: Parents have been drilling into their kids’ heads that anything that is put on the internet is forever. A text, a silly photo or that stupid video put on YouTube all leave a digital footprint that never goes away. Enter Snapchat, the app that allows people to send a photo that’s only up for a few seconds before it disappears. It’s great in theory but not so much in practice. While Snapchat deletes your posts immediately, the app can’t control users’ ability to take a screenshot. A screenshot means the picture is forever. Young people often have a false sense that anything posted will only be seen briefly.
Updated: Fri Nov 03, 2017
Snapchat and a Bossy Daughter for 11/03/2017
by admin | Oct 28, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
A Follower Making Poor Choices and Consequences for 10/28/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My 9-year-old son seems to be getting into more trouble at school this year. He’s not the one who starts the fooling around, but he is definitely a joiner. He doesn’t want to miss out on being with his buddies. His behavior is not affecting his grades, as he is a good student. But what’s the best way to remedy his misbehaving? – Follower’s Father
Dear Father: There are two probable culprits behind your son’s behavior: He is fearful that if he doesn’t follow his friends, he won’t have any. Additionally, he might be a bit impulsive. This means he often makes quick decisions without thinking through the consequences. In order to help your son make better choices, it’s important to address both potential culprits.
Updated: Sat Oct 28, 2017
A Follower Making Poor Choices and Consequences for 10/28/2017
by admin | Oct 27, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
Angel At School Hits At Home for 10/27/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My 6-year-old daughter hits either me or her brother when she gets frustrated or doesn’t get her way. I’ve tried everything to teach her that hitting isn’t acceptable. She always has excellent behavior at school. I’m a single mother who works, and I try my best. What am I doing wrong? – Punching Bag Mom
Dear Mom: Your daughter is a perfect angel at school. I’m sure she becomes frustrated there, yet she doesn’t hit anyone. That’s because she knows hitting is not acceptable behavior. There are likely firm consequences and no-nonsense policies set in place at school. At home, it’s probably a different story.
Updated: Fri Oct 27, 2017
Angel At School Hits At Home for 10/27/2017
