Many moons ago, I was a director of a girl’s leadership program that worked with teen girls in rural northwestern Minnesota. It was a fantastic program that provided teens with life skills. One of the skills we taught was reflective listening. I still use this important communication skill today.
Continue readingResources for Exploring Culture with Children
I grew up in a small Midwest rural farming community in the late 1970s and early 1980s. My exposure to different perspectives and cultures was limited; however, one thing that we received at school that opened my eyes to world events was the Scholastic Weekly Reader.
Continue readingFour Resources for Exploring Culture
Culture is described in the dictionary as “the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.”
In May 2020, the murder of George Floyd occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota—my home state—the state of Minnesota Nice. Minnesotans are white Scandinavian folks that eat lefsa and bring hotdishes to potlucks at the church. The event did not fit my perceived image of Minnesota culture. There was something I needed to explore and get curious about that was not within my worldview.
Tip of the Week: Resilience is Hope
Resilience is the key to hope and strength. Resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and move through complex life events to adapt, change, and grow. Learning about resilience has given me hope.
Continue readingFour Key Skills Needed For Safety
So many emotions are associated with the first few days of school: excitement, hopefulness, joy, nervousness, anxiety, and fear. Humans can hold more than one emotion at a time, so you can feel all sorts of emotions as the school year begins.
Imagine what a child might feel in those first few days of school.
Continue reading7 Steps to Being a Trusted Adult
You can help a child or another adult heal trauma by being a trusted, calm, competent person through listening, holding space for emotions, and turning them towards the strengths in their lives. There is true power in a relationship between a trusted adult and a child. It can make all the difference in a child’s outcome in life.
Continue readingSix Books on My Summer Reading List
In my past posts, I have talked about how I take some time over the summer to dive into learning things I want to know about. Many times that includes books. I am a book lover; I buy books that look interesting to me, and then they sit on my shelf, collecting dust and looking like I am more intellectual than I really am. Many of these books are on subjects I want to deepen my understanding to include the information in my keynote speeches and training. This summer is the summer of deepening my knowledge of trauma-informed work.
Continue readingThree-Step Process to Build the Skill of Accepting a “No”
We never really get over the hurt of the word “No.” However, what if the word “No” can lead us to a “Yes”? What if the word isn’t rejection, disappointment, or fear of keeping up with the Jones? What if a “No” is really a “Yes” to something else?
Continue readingWhat I Have in Common with Goldie
Self-awareness and self-management is the first step in helping children thrive and know their gifts.
Continue readingStrength-Based Parenting Book Club
Today is my birthday!!
I will not tell you how old I am; however, I will say that the ’80s was the best decade of music!
My daughter and mom are planning a surprise mystery afternoon and evening of fun for me. I can hardly wait to see what they have cooked up. Whatever we do, it will be great because I am spending time with people I love.
I like spending time with people and having great conversations around a particular topic. One way I get that need met is through book discussions. Right now, I am in three different book clubs and reading a fiction novel. My friends gave me a gift certificate from a bookstore because, in my opinion, you can’t have too many books!
My Learner and Input strengths love the process of learning and digging deep into a topic. How about you? Would you like to learn more about your strengths? Would you like to find out how you can bring out the strengths in children? Knowing your strengths can help you to see the strengths within your child or learner.
My friend Monica Cochran of Learning Without Borders and I are offering the Strength-Based Parenting Book Club for parents and educators looking to help children find their unique brilliance. We made a short video for you explaining the book club:
If you would like more information about how you can join the book club, click here.
I look forward to seeing you at the Strengths-Based Parenting book club starting on April 28 at 7:00 pm CST.
Here is another cool thing about the Strength-Based Parenting book club; the group will be on the Workspace Sky platform. The registration fee includes a free month in Workspace Sky. Find out more about Workspace Sky at https://www.workspaceeducation.org/