Love Lessons, Part II, the Teen Years

Amy Sluss — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:31:14 +0100

How to love a sullen teenager? Let me count the ways…

Remember what your daughter or son was like as a baby or a toddler. That sweet little child is still in there – somewhere.
Make a choice to share positives – five positives for every negative. It’s a magic formula. Studies show that high-quality relationships feature this positRead More...

Love Lessons, Part I

Amy Sluss — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:24:26 +0100

Our firstborn, Kelsey, taught me about new life and parental love. Parenting her was a delight. Every day featured smiles, a good-natured response, and a sense of connection. The mystery of new life and shared parent-child love were deeply rewarding experiences.

Our second child, Lisa, taught me to love unconditionally. She was a demanding and cranky baby. I lRead More...

Top 5 Tips for Instituting Change

Amy Sluss — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:41:09 +0100

I went to a continuing education event yesterday called "How the Brain Forms New Habits: Why Willpower isn't Enough." Here are 5 takeaway concepts I think we can all use and benefit from. You can benefit directly and you can also be a better parent if you understand how we are made and why habit formation and changing habits is so difficult.

Here are Five concepts that willRead More...

The Questions they Ask...

Amy Sluss — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:09:24 +0100

A popular segment of every event I lead is the Q & A time. I promise girls (and boys too, when I do a Growing up Male event) that I will tell them the truth. I do. They get the hint and ask amazing questions.

When the girls are young (4th-5th grade) they ask questions about their bodies, body changes, their girlfriends, and how to talk to mom/dad. When they get to miRead More...

New Year's Resolution: Love More Openly

Amy Sluss — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:57:28 +0100

I grew up in a family where we didn't EVER say, "I love you." The family my husband and I created is more vocal about our feelings. We often say, "I love you." But words are not enough. Families who show love and affection in multiple ways are healthier and heartier. And we need to do it regularly. Here are 10 ways to show how much you care.

Name andRead More...

How to Diffuse Beauty and Body-Image Issues

Amy Sluss — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:42:26 +0100

Beauty and body-image are huge issues for girls and women; it's well established. If you need to be convinced, or if you need to convince someone of the problem, check out these two videos:

Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising's Image of Women

Miss Representation,Official Trailer

The big question that needs to be answered is, What do we DO about it?

My article, 52 ways to Boost Your Daughter's Body-Image, will give you lots

Why Does She Look in the Mirror so Much?

Amy Sluss — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:33:12 +0100

It's not just girls, boys are concerned with their looks too. But, REALLY.... Girls spend a LOT of time looking in the mirror in the preteen and/or teen years. It's not just your daughter, I promise! There are multiple reasons why a girl is concerned with her appearance:

She's hardwired to care about how she looks. It's probRead More...

How to Show Love and Bond More Closely

Amy Sluss — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:10:24 +0100

I grew up in a family where we didn't EVER say, "I love you." The family my husband and I created is more vocal about our feelings. We often say, "I love you."

I have friends who feel loved not when someone uses words but when someone presents small gifts and tokens. The item can be tiny - a bar of chocolate or a single flower. It doesn't matter.

Nontraditional Holiday Celebrations

Amy Sluss — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:38:22 +0100

Traditions are a wonderful way for families to connect and build memories. Yet traditions need not be forever. You can change a tradition and you should if it no longer works for you. How to tell when to drop or change a tradition? Watch and reflect - if you are looking at a tradition that has become too burdensome and if that tradition doesn’t meet a goal you have for your family, then it’s time to consider changing or dropping the tradition. It can seem awkward, or even sacrilegRead More...

Connecting the Generations with Holiday Stories

Amy Sluss — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:35:13 +0100

I remember the Christmas when...

Just when I was feeling lonely the phone rang and it was Grandma...

There was so much snow that year I was sure we'd be stranded for a week...

I remember your first holiday season; you were just a baby and...

Want to connect with your family members? Tell stories this holiday season. Try storytellinRead More...

What About our Boys? Miss-ion Possible...

Amy Sluss — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:36:15 +0100

I spoke to a reporter yesterday from Woman's Day. She is raising two sons. We talked mostly about raising girls but we did chat a bit about boys . I told her that the issues for boys about beauty, body-image, and self-esteem aren't even being addressed yet (well, they are, but only by a handful of people). If you are raising boys it's essential that you teach your sons what REAL women look like, how to treat REAL women, and how to have relationships with REAL women. Real women, real girls, reRead More...

Thanksgiving Traditions - Establishing Ties to Connect the Generations

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:12:38 +0100

We had traveled from California to Hilton Head Island, SC to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my parents. After a trip to the beach, we returned to my folks’ house for dinner. At each table setting my mother had placed 3 pieces of candy corn. She asked us to go around the table, place one candy corn in a crystal bowl, and name something we were thankful for. We did so. Half way through dinner my mother asked us to do it aga"I saw an angel in the block of marble and I just chiseled 'till I set him free."

- Michelangelo

Michelangelo chiseled away marble to give form to his amazing sculptures. And just as Michelangelo believed the form already existed inside the marble, I believe the adult your child will becomeRead More...

Feeling Scared? Together you can Master it!

Amy Sluss — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 23:35:52 +0100

Eight-year-old Noah climbed the 125 steps of the Stingray, a giant waterslide. He reached the top, looked down, then turned and climbed down; the view from the top was just too frightening. Ten minutes later Noah mounted the 125 steps again, his cousin, Colin, by his side, talking words of encouragement. The companionship helped. But the fear was still too large; Noah disembarked,Read More...

A Place Where You Belong: Home and Family

Amy Sluss — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 01:20:22 +0100

Being part of a family is about belonging. It’s about being a part of a community where your presence, your needs, your contributions matter. Being a part of a family says, “You are wanted. You are important.” In our world of change it is more important than ever to instill a sense of belonging in your children; belonging is an anchor for kids, it helps them Read More...

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