As I reflect on the current state of the world and the many social and political crises that have overtaken our lives, I feel a wave of shame for humanity as I see that we are living in a time where we tolerate hateful behavior. Even with education and an abundance of information, we still… Continue reading Gaia; A Transgender Woman and a Beacon of Light & Hope
In November, Tara Gretton and I had the pleasure of interviewing Carolyn Albanese on our podcast – A Call Across the Pond; Transforming Relationships at School, at Home and Beyond. Carolyn is an experienced educator, guidance counsellor and school administrator. She is a passionate mental health and wellbeing advocate, supporting individuals who have experienced mental… Continue reading Unveiling the Vital Link between Communication, Mental Health and Relationships; An interview with Carolyn Albanese
At this time of year, some children in the world are preparing for the end of the school year. Others are preparing for mid-year winter holidays. Their teachers are anticipating a welcome break after months of planning, preparation and implementation of lessons, rigorous assessment and reporting, and management of specific student needs. In my years… Continue reading Prioritizing Teacher Wellbeing; Interview with Meg Durham
Last night, Haesun Moon and I had our joint Book Party, to celebrate both of our books; Coaching A to Z, and Relationspaces; A Solution-Focused Handbook for Parents. The event was at once extremely energizing, while it shed the light of peace and support from faithful family, friends and colleagues. The backdrop of this beautiful… Continue reading The Joy of Celebration, Hope and Fresh Starts in Solution-Focus – My Student Nina
Summers represent a break in the usual routine for families, a time to do things differently – more flexibly. As you set aside regular schedules and routines, you may have had a special holiday or spent more time with family. Your children may have had an opportunity to decompress and sleep in, access more outdoor… Continue reading The Potential Struggles of Anticipating a New School Year; A Mindful Parental Self-Check-In
Celebrating Failure through a Solution-Focused Lens After reading an article by Melanie I Stefan in 2010, Johannes Haushofer – Assistant Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs (Princeton University) was inspired to share an alternative resume (2016) where he listed all of his career failures (e.g., degrees he did not get into, jobs he did… Continue reading Failures Exist Within a Landscape of Opportunity
Children develop confidence and autonomy when with guidance of a caring adult (e.g., a parent or teacher), are encouraged to actively resolve personal challenges (great or small). Depending on age and maturity, if left to their own devices, children may not have the awareness needed to recognize personally crafted decisions that can negatively affect their… Continue reading Children as Decision-Makers?
Conversations about SUCCESS often include the great outcomes, the big win, top evaluations, performances and presentations. This type of success is only available to the fortunate few. With a solution-focused mindset, success is accessible to everyone, as it represents the many accomplishments we experience in daily life, both large and small. What is a small… Continue reading Success
Communication has been the vehicle through which people connect and develop relationships from infancy through adulthood. We are a social species, motivated to develop and evolve within the context of others. When we interact, we do much more than exchange information. We express our thoughts and opinions, actively listen, engage both verbally and nonverbally, observe… Continue reading Communication
Teenagers often tune off to adult wisdom – interpreting it as a personal affront on their own core beliefs, and their ability to problem-solve on their own. We can open the lines of communication and help to develop an improved relationship with our teens, by actively listening to, and supporting them in reflecting on their… Continue reading Teenagers Can Ignore Adults
