Constructive Conversations

On-Demand Class · Parenting

Looking for peaceful interactions and harmony in your household with tweens and teens? Want to keep your kids safe and on track, even as they seek more independence and freedom? Constructive conversations are key.

Class Description

Learning to have--and teaching your kids to have--constructive conversations is one of the most powerful tools you can add to your toolbelt when it comes to successfully parenting teens. Not only will you create more peace and harmony at home, just as importantly, talking to your kids openly and easily is hands down the best way to keep them safe from dangers both in the virtual and real world. Today's tweens and teens are master wheedlers. They'll push until they get their own way. In the end, that creates conflict and resentment. But what if I told you there is a way to get peace and harmony in the family that leaves everyone feeling good at the end of the day about the choices made? The trick is to learn to have CONSTRUTIVE CONVERSATIONS so that as a family you can find win-win solutions. Start with these 3 steps: •Active Listening--by gathering information from your teen in an open and nonjudgemental way, you'll get to the root of your child's true motivation. That will in turn allow you to solve the actual problem you are facing instead of whatever barriers your child throws at you. •I-Statements--being able to communicate your feelings to your child without adding fuel to the fire allows you to feel heard and cues your teen into your primary conerns without getting defensive. •Yes, Yes, Yes and at the Same Time--after your child feels seen and heard, you still need to find win-win solutions that will get everyone's needs met--children and parents alike. Used regularly and in conjunction with each other, these three communication techniques will transform your family so that you feel less tense and more effective, are enjoying your kids on a day to day basis, and you know your kids are thriving.

Class Materials

A way to take notes and write practice statements

Your Instructor

Elisabeth Stitt

Author and award winning parent educator Elisabeth Stitt founded Joyful Parenting Coaching in 2014 to give parents the skills they need to be confident and joyous. Over the course of her 25-year teaching career (mostly middle school English), Elisabeth saw how parents were becoming increasingly isolated and were coming to parenting with little or no actual hands on experience with kids. Parents used to turn to family and neighbors for models in how to parent: Today they have to seek out information and support from professionals. Through her weekly newsletter, in-person workshops, one-on-one coaching and online webinars, Elisabeth helps parents establish harmonious households so they can have the loving, effective relationships with their kids that they want. To Elisabeth, effective parenting comes down to three main ideas: Clarity, Connection and Consistency. She wants parents to have a gameplan for where they are going, have a warm bond with their kids and to provide a secure envirnment where kids know what to expect. Elisabeth reminds parents that parenting is a skill: It can be taught, learned and practiced; and Elisabeth can help with that!

Degrees and Certifications

California Single Subject Teachers Certification (English, German) Certified Co-Active Professional Coach (CCPC), Coaches Training Institute, San Rafael, CA

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