Hello, dear conscious parent

Let’s start the new year with new (and good) habits in our parenting, so we can have an even closer, safer relationship with our children. Starting and maintaining these habits may feel hard in the beginning, and you may want to go back to the old ways of parenting, but please don’t give up. Fail fast, fail often, learn and keep going.

HABIT #1: LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS.

All human beings, and especially children, have the core need of being heard and seen for who they are, without judgment. This means they long for acceptance when they make mistakes; when they have a hard day in school; when they are tired; etc. Our job as parents is to talk less and listen more.
Don’t rush into fixing things for your kids, or problem solving, or giving advice, or even helping right away. Simply be there for them with your calming and accepting presence. This will do more wonders than any other “action” you may take.

HABIT #2: HAVE SPECIAL TIME WITH YOUR CHILD 2-3 TIMES/ WEEK.

This connection tool is absolutely magical, with an endless list of emotional benefits for your relationship. Guidelines to follow are:

• only one child at the time (1:1 time)
• do whatever your child wants with enthusiasm
• set a timer for the time you can offer your undivided attention (10 minutes or more if you can)
• tell your child that Special Time will be over when the timer goes off, but there will be another one coming in the week
• offer 100% undivided attention + delight in your child’s presence
• turn off your phone, TV, and other possible distractions.

HABIT #3: GET EDUCATED IN ORDER TO TAME YOUR TRIGGERS.

Triggers are very tricky because we feel justified in our reactions. We feel victimized, misunderstood and exhausted. Then later on, we feel guilty and ashamed by our reaction, which leads to feeling isolated, unsupported and helpless. This is an endless vicious cycle that separates us further and further from our kids. It is toxic, and self-destructive.

It takes a BRAVE adult to do the work of conscious parenting exactly because it is hard to face the roots of our triggers. Education is the answer. You can start by reading my book ( where I recommend other books), but doing the deeper work will require more support and guidance.