We were surrounded by foam peanuts. I don’t know how anyone can be oblivious to foam peanuts on the floor, but she was! She was talking happily to me about this, that, and the other, with a big smile on her face, when I felt this really strong urge to take some of those peanuts and throw them at her. So, I picked up a bunch of them in my hand and, in slow motion, with some soft dramatic noises, I slowly inched my way toward her with the foam peanuts.
Tag Archives: sangam
Intense Emotions and Solid Engagement – With the Magic Number Fifteen
Fifteen minutes of staylistening followed by fifteen minutes of hanging out (aka Special Time) turned out to be the magic formula for my then fifteen-year old daughter on this particular Sunday evening. My daughter was in a crabby mood. She … Continue reading
A Little Listening Cleared Up the Vision
A sweet 9-year-old student whom I tutor came in the other day in a somewhat low-key mood. He got ready to do the math that I had planned for him. We were working on calculating the area of various shapes … Continue reading
Special Time – A Double Bonus for Kids and Parents
It’s funny how a little Special Time with your child can do wonders for both you and your child. One afternoon when I was feeling somewhat low-key with many pressing issues on my mind, my then 10-year-old preteen daughter asked … Continue reading
A Little Listening Can Move Mountains
Sometimes we don’t realize the effect we can have on people, simply through our listening (or not listening). I was moved by how a little listening can move mountains.
Helping a Child Go From Tantrum to Intensely Focused
His frustrations grew. “This is impossible to solve. I can’t do it. Why is it so hard?” I stayed with him and listened to his feelings, mostly with reassuring noises and a few gentle words like, “I’m sorry this is so hard for you. I’m sorry it isn’t easier.” I also added, “Let’s put it away right now and get down to some math,” to which he said, “No, I’m not going to do any math until I solve the puzzle.”
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