Drive Through Parenting Wisdom

Best Parenting Book Award

  

Yeah!  Woo Hoo!  Hip Hip Hooray!

My book, "Keeping Your Sanity While Loving and Letting Go Of Your Teen" just won an award from RadicalParenting.com.  The awesome parent of teen and tween web site that shares Parenting From A New Perspective.  That is just what we need!  Radical Parenting is written by young adults and teens.  Their website ROCKS!

I love what they do!  We share many of the same values and goals...  Information for parents that is practical, simple and usable.

Look around.  We parents of teens need all the help we can get.  This teen team has the experience and insight.  Try them... it is refreshing!

And to the Teen Team at Radical Parenting...  thank you!

Anne

PS You can buy the book at, "Keeping Your Sanity While Loving and Letting Go Of Your Teen"

Are You Going To Finish Strong?

My goal as parent seems to shift frequently... 

Sometimes I can see my job so clearly and then priorities switch as events change, kids get older, I get older...  But the short video that you can see below, if you click on the link, talks about a universal goal and hope that every parent has for their child.  We want our kids to get up again after being knocked down because knocked down is sure to happen.  We must foster resilience because this is a tough world and we won't always be there to soften the fall.                         

This is one video that you can watch with your teen or young adult or email it to them... 

Are You Going To Finish Strong?   

I know I will be keeping this image fresh in my mind during my next challenge...

I wonder what is going through Willie's mind in this photo with his nemesis, Bosco?  Willie, my dog, is the 5 pounder on the left.  He knows about finishing strong because he has no idea he is small...  BIG DOG... SMALL BODY! I wish that for all our kids!

It is all about attitude- whether you have 4 legs or no legs...

Sending my best,

Anne

PS "Rise and Shine Anytime" is my newest book to foster resiliency and you can get it at:

"Rise and Shine Anytime" Simple Questions To Wake Up Your Life

The Video Every Parent MUST Watch: Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

Every now and then you come across something that speaks so loudly that you have to stop and listen.  This video is one of those things that every parent needs to watch more than once...

Randy Pausch and His Last Lecture

How did that message speak to you as a parent of a teen or young adult?

What are you going to do differently today?

Sending my best,

Anne

Movie Recommendation for Parents of Teens

Well, I have a fabulous movie recommendation for parents of teens to go and see with their teen- Juno.

This movie has just about every angle for a great discussion.  And better yet, not much needs to be said.  This movie is NOT for young teens or parents who are in the place that sex, teen dating, relationships, adoption, abortion, condoms, birth control, dysfunctional families make you nervous or are taboo.  There are some heavy scenes and topics.  For anyone with any doubts, first go see it alone and you decide. 

And this is going down as one of my all time favorite movies!  We need a brave, smart, resilient girl character that is not perfect, makes mistakes, and is resourceful, creative and hopeful with all the blemishes.  I can just imagine the sequel.  My 16 year old daughter says it is also her favorite.  Now that in itself is remarkable...  we are both on the same page about a movie!

This movie is a winner!

Time for a date night with your teen!  And the pop corn is on you!

Anne

Life Coaches Helping Moms To Niche Out Time And Maximize Their Potential

Would you like to read a great article about some fabulous life coaches who specialize in helping working moms and dads to GET THE LIFE THEY WANT!  Oh, by the way... the article includes me!  BAY STATE PARENT MAGAZINE has graciously included me and other great coaches in their magazine as a featured article entitled:

"Finding Balance:  Life Coaches Can Help Moms Niche Out Time And Maximize Their Potential" by Marguerite Paolino 

There is great information there for you.  If you would like to speak to me about the possibility of working together then email me at abjcoach@comcast.net and put Complimentary Coaching Session in the Subject.  I save 3 schedule slots per month for people who would like to experience a sample coaching session.  Contact me now to get on my schedule for one of those slots!

Sending my best,

Anne

Peace of Mind For Parents of Teens Who Are Driving...

Peace of Mind or Piece of Mind? 

When you have a teen or young adult driving, does it sometimes feel like your mind is in pieces with worry?! So many cars, impatient drivers and now the snow and ice!  Terrible driving conditions even for experienced good drivers!

I have two resources for parents whose teens are now driving. 

Did you know that 93% of accidents involving teens are actually driver error and not drugs and alcohol?  I discovered an advanced driver training course, In Control Advanced Driver Training, and I have heard from teens that it is helpful and they actually enjoyed taking it!  Check it out...  My insurance company subsidizes the cost and then will give me a discount on my insurance.  It is a good deal.

As a gift to me and my husband, I am going to be encouraging both of our children to take this course this holiday season. 

And as far as the other 7% of the accidents, there is an easy, inexpensive home alcohol test, "Guardian Angel- Personal Alcohol Test- Decide Before You Drive!".  You can find this on-line.  Buy it and just keep it on your kitchen counter or somewhere in sight.  Many kids feel that this is a lack of faith and trust in them.  My reaction to this is, "I have faith I will never have to use this test."  Teens have so many hard decisions and pressures.  Do you think it may help your child to not take that drink if they knew you could test them? 

I hope these resources can be a gift to you, the parents of teens and young adults.  Sometimes our job is easy and fun and sometimes it gets really basic... keep them alive!

Sending my best this holiday season,

Anne

Teen Self Esteem... The Effects of The Media On Our Children

Wow!  We parents of teens have our hands full being parents and juggling our own lives...  With all that is going on I sometimes forget how much pressure our kids are under to be more beautiful, sexy and smart...  So much of the negative influence effecting our children is subtle and even invisible to the eye.

Watch this POWERFUL video from Dove Teen Self Esteem Project.  It is relevant to both boy and girl teens today!

The Dove Self Esteem Fund

If nothing else, this is just a reminder that empathy is a big part of our parenting job!

Sending my best to you,

Anne

Parenting and WORRY...

• Do you worry excessively?
• Do you have the same negative repetitive thoughts recycling in your brain about parenting?
• Do your frequent internal conversations begin with "What if...?  What if...?  What if..?"

As I spoke to a group of parents by adoption this week, I saw that look in their eyes...  That "worry" look.  The look from people who feel no matter how hard they try it is never enough.  Worrying SUCKS!  It robs you of any possibility of any joy and possible pleasantry entering your life... BECAUSE YOU ARE BUSY WORRYING!  Some parents worry like it is their full time job.

How is worry different from other thoughts?  Worry is repetitive thinking about things out of your control, or haven't happened yet but you are anticipating, or the recycling emotions that keep you caught in a different time and place.  Does this sound familiar?

Well, I have found something that offers relief to all you parents who carry these burdens around with you unnecessarily.  Here is a web site that teaches the Emotional Freedom Technique.  This is a simple technique that you can teach yourself to do and stop being a slave to worry.  Gary Craig, the founder, gives you the technique for free on this site.

In addition, I am incorporating these techniques into coaching parents of teens and young adults. 

• Would you like to worry less and be more productive, creative, fun?
• Would you like to worry less and be more in touch with your feelings?
• Would you like to invite more joy into your life?

Then try out the EFT web site and if you need more, then contact me.

We can nip that worry habit in the bud... I give a money back guarantee!  I would love to be the one to stretch out my hand and show you a better way to live and parent.

Looking forward to it,

Anne

Resource for Teen Self Esteem... "Square Peg , Round Hole"

My friend, Kathleen Hassan, is the "Queen of Teen Self Esteem".  Her passion for this runs so deep.  I am excited to share her latest creation with all of you...  You can enjoy her video, Square Peg Round Hole, that she co-wrote with Dr. Robyn Silverman, PhD.  This video uses a language and imagery that is rich in messages for teens to hear and digest without getting defensive.  Take a peek at it and see for yourself.  It is really cute and packs a healthy message in a creative way.

Good luck Kathleen and Robyn!  We parents need people like you to keep sending us new ways to reach out and make a positive impact in our kids lives!

The best to you and Peg!

Anne

Vital Women Radio... Inspirational Voices

I had the privilege of chatting with Donna Mac on her radio show Vital Women Radio .  Donna seeks out inspiring women and spreads their inspirational message to her listeners.  One of the things we chatted about was my funnest philosophy of "Dare To Suck..."  This attitude is a great tool for parents of teens who have to swing out there, be courageous and let their voice be heard...  You can hear Donna and I talking about this at the Vital Women Radio link above.  Donna is collecting little bits of wisdom and sharing them at that site...

Thank you to Donna Mac for spreading inspiration...   

Ciao,

Anne

PS  How can you "Dare to Suck" today?