Never before has it been as evident, the relationship between food and connection to our loved ones. Not until digesting each page of the book Nourished by Dr. Deborah MacNamara, Counsellor, Scientist, Storyteller, Teacher, Guide, and Mother. Your can order this book with my affiliate link here!
Dr. MacNamara has given us such a beautiful gift this holiday season which is not only the understanding that relationship and attachment are the most important fundamental needs we all have – even above food – but also, that once we understand this, as caretakers, we can give ourselves permission to relax a little bit about nourishing our children with food and focus more on nourishing them through our love.
CHILDREN WANT TO STAY CONNECTED TO US PARENTS & CAREGIVERS, AND IT’S EASIER TO ACHIEVE THAN WE THINK, ONCE WE STOP PUSHING THEM AWAY.
Written by Sue DeCaro, Parent Coach and Educator
Staying connected to our kids is easier than we think, but it takes work on our part. Children want us parents to see who they really are. When they feel that they are being supported AT THIS LEVEL, rather than molded into what we want or expect them to be, this is when CONNECTION truly happens. Today, parent coach, Sue DeCaro, explores ideas with us about how to see, reach, and stay connected with our children.
When I look at the scenarios being played out with my own clients, I can’t help but think back to the disconnection I had with my own parents which just seemed to be part of my generation. I was raised in a time when kids were to be seen and not heard. For this reason, us kids spent most of our time with each other, and usually outdoors. We practiced self-regulation naturally in our own environment and sorted out our own problems. As long as we were home in time for dinner, our lives were pretty much our own to manage.
This Q & A Column is written by KIDS, YOUTH & ADULTS
IF YOU ARE A KID AND HAVE A QUESTION FOR AN ADULT, OR YOU ARE AN ADULT, AND HAVE A QUESTION FOR A KID, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. Please contact us here, so we can include your question or answer in our TALK TO ME COLUMN. Share your thoughts, feelings and advice with us to help bridge the communication between kids, youth, and adults.
QUESTION FOR PARENTSÂ by Sammy, 11 year old girl
When I want to stay up past my bedtime why do you sometimes say yes and then sometimes change to no? Like when I want to stay up an extra half an hour? You always do that. And it’s not fair. You only say yes when you are not tired. But what if I am not tired? Written by Sammy who is an 11 year old girl.
ANSWER FOR SAMMY’S QUESTION by Lola, 34 year old mother of 3.
Sammy. I understand how confusing and I guess, frustrating it must be to receive different answers at different times from your parents. Speaking as a mother who has been asked the same questions, I can tell you that I do the same thing, and the reason why is because sometimes it’s appropriate and sometimes it’s just not. Sometimes we have to consider the entire family and what’s going on in the entire house before we can give you our final answers and it might take us parents longer to decide and sometimes, when it’s an easier day, the answer is more obvious to yes, and more likely to be a yes.  It sounds like it might be easier if it’s always the same rule during the week. Answered by Lola, 34 year old mother of three.