Do you remember your first love?

For most of us, that person was our mother. While we may have vague recollections of the details, it was in those very early years that our mothers helped exemplify healthy relationships by making us feel safe, secure and comforted. Showing us a world beyond ourselves. Teaching us the difference between our wants and our needs. Illustrating the concept of consequences and realistic expectations. Accepting us while setting clear boundaries. 

Mothers aren’t perfect.  Few of us had flawless parenting. (And few of us are flawless parents.) But Mother’s Day reminds us to take a broader look at what we received. Want to develop a closer, more satisfying relationship with your mother? Take the time to get to know her.  (No, not what do you think about her.  And not what you think you know.)

  Where to begin?

  1.)    Stop criticizing. Verbally and mentally. Get rid of your knee-jerk reactions to those silly things that irritate you.
2.)    Look for positives. Remember them.
3.)    Listen.  Nothing creates a closer and more authentic bond faster than truly listening.
4.)    Spend some time together.  Real time. Open up. Share.
5.)    Talk to her, about her. Ask her about her life, her opinions, her successes, her dreams, her humor, her knowledge, her memories, her worries and her joys.

  If you are fortunate enough to have your mother still, begin here, now. If not, start with your father, your spouse, partner, significant other, your child or a sibling. Just start.

 
The Best Job in the World

The largest campaign in P&G’s 174-year history launched simultaneously around the world with the digital release of "Best Job," a short film that celebrates the role moms play in raising Olympians and in raising great kids everywhere. Click here to watch: 

The accompanying Facebook and Twitter pages are for sending a personal "Thank You" to the one who raised you:  https://www.facebook.com/thankyoumom/app_355982491091876
http://twitter.com/#!/pgthankyoumom

Mother-isms – What Are Your Favorites?

There are the classics, of course:

• “Why? Because I said so, that’s why!”
• “If everyone jumped off the bridge would you do it, too?”
• “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.”
• “If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times.”
• And of course, that great sex ed standby: "Why buy the cow, if you can get the milk for free."

What are you struggling with?

Relationship skills are the silver bullet, the magic wand that make your relationships work...in love and in life. And relationship skills are all learnable.  
Smart Relationships interactive webinars are a quick and confidential way to identify patterns and habits that aren’t working and learn the proven skills to make a real change. 

Local Divorce Support Group

ABCs of Positive Parenting

Positive parenting examples offer powerful lessons for children of all ages.
But even our best intentions can be weakened by marital disagreements, or when we allow criticism to slip into our conversations.  To strengthen your parenting relationship while enhancing your children's parent model, take time to do the following as often as possible:

A. Think of the qualities that you admire in your partner as a parent.

B.  Be quick to point out examples of these positive parenting qualities and compliment them—in front of the children.

C.  Be open and generous with your appreciation.

NOTE: If you and your spouse are divorced: Talk to your children freely about your ex-partner’s positive characteristics as a parent. If the child’s other parent is not part of their life: Pick a loving parent (or grandparent) known to you and your child, and talk about why you admire their parenting skills. Discuss why you hope your child will grow to be a similar kind of person.

From Our Bookshelf:

Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason 
Alfie Kohn
Screamfree Parenting: The Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool 
Hal Edward Runkel
Parent Talk: 50 Quick, Effective Solutions to the Most Common Parenting Challenges 
Stanley Shapiro, Karen Skinulis, Richard Skinulis