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October
2010 Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 10
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Your Family
Matters
Coaching for
Parents of Teens
... so you don't have to go it
alone!
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Greetings!
Welcome back to Your Family Matters. As you know,
communication is key in building healthy relationships; however,
technology, such as email and cell phones/texting, has changed the
way we talk to each other, not always for the better. They make it
easy to avoid face-to-face or voice-to-voice interactions, and to
say things that might be expressed more clearly, or better left
unsaid. Read the October Parenting Journal for more on this
topic.
I'll be offering you four different workshops over the next month.
They will address self-care, parenting, programs for teens, and a
business opportunity with a purpose.
Let me know what you're thinking. I love hearing from you. And if
you find the content useful and interesting, share it! (Be sure to
click on "Display Images" to see this newsletter in its
entirety.)
To your parenting and personal success!
Warmest regards,
Fern
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PARENTING JOURNAL
THE PERILS OF THE "SEND" BUTTON
(or "Would you say that to her face?")
I recently retweeted this message
from Emily Roberts (therapist and author).
"Parents, ask your kids 'Would you say that to her face?' When
texting, pause before you post."
"Would you say that to her face?" What a great question. It has
become way too easy to type out a message and send it off into
cyberspace. Technology has given us the ability to send
information faster and farther than ever before. As a tool for
staying in touch with family and friends, it's great. As a way to
speak your mind, it can be messy, irresponsible and even
harmful.
What would you say differently, or not at all, if the person was
standing in front of you? This question is for you, parents, as
well as for your kids.
Think about it for a moment. When you speak directly to someone,
there are visual and auditory cues coming at you - a facial
expression, tone of voice, body language, their immediate
response. This is a living, feeling person you are talking to, not
just the faceless idea of someone. Email, texting, voice mail...
in some instances they have become an impersonal way of
communicating, one that allows us to ignore our responsibility for
what we put out there. It can be the quick and easy way out. In
the extreme, it is dangerous. Depending on the circumstances, it
can also be a form of bullying.
The strategy in last month's Parent Journal was to "take five"
before responding so that you say what you really mean. This is a
good strategy for the written word, too. I have heard stories of
people sending off an email to someone they are angry at. They end
up in an email battle, messages flying back and forth, and
sometimes irreparable damage is done to the relationship. (And
let's not forget the risks involved in "reply all". When did
everything become everybody's business anyway?)
The dangers for our teens are very real, whether they are on the
sending or receiving side of these messages. Teenagers have far
less impulse control and are swayed more by their emotions and
their need to fit in. Encourage your children to 'take five' too.
Ask them if they would have the courage to speak their mind, face
to face. This is a real test of their character. Remind them that
once they say something, it takes on a life of its own and cannot
be undone.
As always, consider what you are teaching your children. If you
are already aware and careful in how you communicate, bravo! If
you think there is room for change, do it now. Take a look at what
you say, how you express it, and how you send it out into the
world. And tell your kids about your new attitude. Teach them
well and show them how it's done!
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Workshops /
Opportunities |
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How
to Listen So Teens Will Talk
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Ah, for the days when they used to share
everything with you, and listen to you, too! Now more than ever,
it is critical for your teenager to be able to trust you and turn
to you when there is something important to talk about. There are
proven strategies that work with teens, and it all begins with how
you listen.
Learn to go from silence to
sharing at this event for parents only. Join me as we learn
skills from the nationally known "How to Talk" program by
Faber/Mazlish. Use your new skills immediately in your
family!
Wednesday, October 27,
7:00-9:00pm
John Walk Middle School, 325 Franklin Avenue, Nutley,
NJ
**This program is sponsored by the Nutley Parent Advocacy Network
(NPAN).
It is open to the public, and there is no fee.
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A
GIFT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER - COMPASS FOR TEENS
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We worry about our daughters, more than our parents worried about
us. There seem to be many more stressors and negative messages for
them.
Give your daughter the gift of a coaching program designed
specifically for teen girls. With Compass for Teens, she will
develop the strengths that are hidden inside; grow her positive
self-esteem and self-image; and improve communication with you.
She'll be able to hear things from a teen coach that she may not be
able to hear from you.
Learn more about this unique, affordable, group coaching program
that will support her in becoming a happy, self-confident,
independent adult.
Monday, October 25, 8:00-9:00pm
ET
Webinar (telephone and internet connection)
To register and receive call-in information,
contact me at 201-747-9642 or fgweis@gmail.com
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Take
Back Your Energy!
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Are you exhausted trying to be all things to all people? Are you
lost in the shuffle? It's time to take back your energy and put
YOU back in the picture.
Join me at an in-person event or on a webinar. (It's not
complicated. Really, you can do this webinar thing.) You'll do an
energy audit to identify your energy drains and come away with a
realistic plan to make time for yourself.
Thursday, October 21,
7:30-8:30pm
Wayne Public Library
461 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ
Weds, November 3,
7:30-8:30pm
Webinar (phone & internet connection)
For call-in information and your Energy Audit Worksheet, contact me
at fgweis@gmail.com
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Discover
Your Compass
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Take back your life and increase your income. Make a
difference by making affordable coaching available to anyone who
wants it by
The Compass opportunity allows you to work from home while being
part of a network of independent representatives. Compass is the
first company to offer powerful group coaching programs for adults
and teens at a truly affordable price. (How does $19-59/month
sound?)
Combining four fast-growing global trends (professional coaching,
social networking, network marketing and personal
wellness/self-improvement), this the opportunity of a lifetime.
And when you are a Compass representative, you will also be part of
a coaching group!
Monday, October 18, 1:00pm
ET
To receive call-in information contact me at 201-747-9642 or fgweis@gmail.com
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YOUR FAMILY MATTERS
Website: www.FamilyMattersCoach.com
Email: fgweis@gmail.com
Phone: 201-747-9642
Group Coaching: mylifecompass.com/ferngweis
Character Educ: Hyde Schools
Twitter: ParentTeenGuide
Facebook: Your Family Matters -
Coaching
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Fern Weis is a certified life coach, a teacher and a parent, and
specializes in working with parents of teens and young adults.
Together they write the manual for raising confident,
self-sufficient, and happy adults. She also works with parents who
are transitioning into the 'empty nest' years, or planning for
adult children returning home.
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