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Supporting Conscious Parents in Being Peaceful, Real, and Loving
(even when your children are testing you the most...) |
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Talk Politics With Your Kids! |
October, 2013 | |
Hello ,
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This email is a bit of an aside from our conversation about violence in play, but still super-important in the conversation about power. (Next newsletter check out my thoughts on creating meaningful guidelines around children's play.)
This email has two main purposes. One is to remind you to vote today, if you live in Calgary, Canada. The second is to share how talking politics supports our children.
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So, if you are reading this, live in Calgary, haven't voted yet and don't have it planned, go HERE to find out where and when you need to go to vote, and HERE to do some research about candidates in Calgary.
Now, to explore what voting has to do with parenting.
Our younger children, age 2-5,
ask "why", and sometimes the answer has to do with rules or laws. At this age, children mostly need to know what is expected of them within the context of the situation. They will often be quite happy with an answer that includes a simple guideline, like "Because bigger people take care of little people." (By the way, when little ones ask "why" over and over, they don't want a more detailed explanation. They want to hear the same explanation over and over, maybe with slightly different wording, so they can understand language and connect concepts through repetition.)
6 to 12 year-olds are deeply invested, at the developmental level, in understanding how people work, individually and collectively, and the power that each of us has within these systems. They are very interested in where the laws and rules come from, why they exist, how they were created, whether or not they make sense, and when and why they might choose to break a law. 6-12 year-olds want to create their own governments, will debate and change rules in games (sometimes spending more time on the rules than in the game), and really want to know WHO makes the decisions.
6-12 year-olds need to hear that THEIR VOICE MATTERS, and they need to know where people have power within various systems. All of us have the power to recognize and choose our actions in the face of universal laws (The Golden Rule, for example). All of us have the power to create and abide by laws and rules within smaller systems (with friends and family). All of us, as soon as we have an opinion, have the power to affect our government systems, by voting ourselves, organizing with a group, starting a conversation, or sharing our opinions far and wide.
Even though we currently have a government system that, in my opinion, is far from ideal, we have the power to work within it, or to engage in a conversation around it, to create change.
Your teenager is developmentally going deeper into this exploration. Teens are asking, "How did we (as humans) get here?" and "What does the world that I am inheriting look like?"
The answer to these questions are a big part of the reason that teenagers often feel angry towards the older generation. "How dare you present me with the mess that you've created, tell me my opinion about it doesn't matter, and act as if you've done nothing wrong?" When teens believe that the older generation is apathetic towards the problems that they've helped to create, teens feel rebellious and resentful. To maintain respect for you, your teenagers need to know that you take your responsibility for leaving them a world worth living in, seriously. They need to see you stepping into that responsibility, doing meaningful work that makes the world a better place, and using the power that you have in a positive way. (So get out and vote!!)
The exploration of what it means to be human includes understanding one's power within the systems that exist. This is the crux of empowerment - knowing where you have power and exercising that power positively.
When you take your role as a meaningful voice within the systems that humans have created (or a voice that advocates for change), you set the example for, and earn the respect of, your children.
AND, we'll be engaging deeply in the conversation about empowerment in the upcoming Playing with Power course. If the following sounds like you, click to register or find out more...
Come join the conversation...
Playing with Power runs two Saturdays, November 2nd and 16th, at Killarney/Glengarry Community Hall, 28th Ave and 28th St. SW. |
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I'd love to share the exploration with you.
In joy,
Lisa Kathleen
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Need a Little
Coaching?
Call me!
If you want to go way deeper into living your values in your relationship with your child, call me!
If you're yelling, nagging, stressing, or crying more than you want to, if your child is having a tough time with transitions, if you need support figuring out potty training, mealtimes, room-cleaning, or
Getting Out the Door, call me!
I'd love to help.
403-607-1463
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Come Connect With Me On Facebook and Twitter!
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Why Women's Wellness Circles?
When women
support one another, each one
flies higher,
sings more,
laughs louder,
and
loves deeper.
The circle
will nurture
your soul.
See below for details. | |
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| Upcoming Events |
Playing with Power
How to Help Your Child Understand
Death, Sex, Violence and Gender Identity
from 3 through 18
2 Saturdays, Nov 2 & 16, 10:30-4:30, Killarney/Glengarry Community Hall, 28th Ave & 28th St. SW
Early Bird by Wednesday, October 24th
Sleep Q&A - LIVE with Lisa Kathleen
All Your Sleep Questions Answered
Alternative & Traditional
Schooling Options in Calgary
Everything You Need to Know to Find the Best Fit for Your Family
Wednesday, December 4th, 6-8 pm,
Early Bird by November 20th
Women's Wellness Circles
Exploring Experiences and Expressions of Motherhood
Tuesday Mornings, Monthly, ongoing registration, Marda Loop, 9:30-11:30 am
OR
Friday Evenings, Monthly, starting in January, 7-9 pm, Dr. for Moms, Varsity
*****Babes in arms are always welcome at Full Circle Parenting events.
*****Full Circle Parenting has a Pay-What-You-Can program for all events and also offers payment plans for all services. If finances are a barrier for you, contact me to discuss possibilities.
******You can register by phone for any event. Call me with questions or to register...403-607-1463. | |
