Category: Parenting
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“When parents get angry”
-“What book you reading, mommy?”I lift my eyes from the book and smile. After a pause I respond: – It’s called “when parents get angry”. She is five years old. And yet. She smiles at me with a goofy raised eyebrow and responds: “Really? That’s cool!” Getting habitually angry is like drug. One shouldn’t use…
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Even if…
Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes,even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield no food,even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle— even then, I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me.1The Lord Almighty is my strength. He makes…
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A visit. Presence of mind and clarity
This past month I have had some aha-moments. I’ve been looking forward to Conrad’s parents’ visit for quite some time. We hadn’t seen them in a year and a half. And I believe they have a positive effect on Conrad. They are wise and trustworthy. They are godly and loving. And on a few occasions…
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We’re in this together
After feeling that I finally detached myself from the guilt of anger, I not just mustered the courage but I had the desire and drive to pick up and read the book “when parents get angry” by Carl Semmelroth. I just read the first chapter. It’s good! Here is what I want to highlight though. …
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About intense feelings and “coasting” emotionally
Maybe this is what she needs more now. A composed mom, a warm plain background for her colorful emotions. I mastered the ability to take a deep breath and not react. I used to see my natural emotions as a right and a tool to put a stop to nonsensical behavior. I would give her…
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A dad and his son
I drove towards town a full van of people one early morning. I dropped off dad and conrad up to the left in the hills, then I turned around and took two kids to kindergarten. After that, mom read in the park with a view of the city, and I swam for an hour. We…
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Embrace being unique while trying to fit in
I worry about our kids copying others’ choices and behavior. But if I take an honest look at our girl’s short life thus far, her ability to imitate is what propelled her into the well adjusted kindergarten stage. She adapts. Our job is to help her discern between right and wrong, as all the matters…
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Trei caracteristici
English below – Protejează când trebuie, dar permite când poți. (Dr. Steinberg – sfat pentru părinți de adolescenți) Fii Cald. Părinții cu temperament cald reacționează în așa fel la nevoile emoționale ale copiilor, încât aceștia pot aduna îndeajuns curaj necesar ca ei să funcționeze departe de părinți, din proprie inițiativă. Părinții calzi sunt afectuoși. Ei…
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“Te ceartă tanti (sau nenea)”
I-am spus fetiței mele că are dreptul s-o certe cine o iubește (adică îi vrea binele). Nu m-am gandit mult la asta, ci doar mi-am spus-o mie însămi ca și adult. De fapt, am provocat-o să cântărească intențiile cu care cineva împarte corecții mai mult sau mai puțin întemeiate. Când proverbiala “tanti” mă certa ca…
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Biking
The Easter/ Spring vacation is over. It was rainy and cold, yet so active. I’m taking a break from reading heavy books. Books are my friends and they speak the Truth, they chisel my mind and better my actions, they confront me and they hold my hand. But enough is enough. I decided to go…
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Nothing to say
If I have nothing good to say, I say nothing at all. I’ve had smooth sails. I’ve reached a cruising altitude and I enjoyed it in silence. I must have started 20 drafts of posts. But none saw the light of day. Nothing seemed relevant or felt wise enough to share these days. The last…
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About being special
Humility was bred into me. It was the status-quo. But what I can vividly remember it that it was freeing! Hardy and common. Like the general low expectations. It was often declared with decisiveness from the school pedestal, that we are not special! I was born during communism after all. Yet. Telling our kids that…