Orlando’s Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy and Life Coach Professionals

Amy Smith, MS, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Nearly 50% of marriages end in divorce these days and according to the Associated Press, Florida has one of the higher rates in the country. Parents invariably divorce for a multitude of reasons, but their ultimate goal is to create a happier, healthier life for themselves and their children. What parents often overlook is that their actions during this difficult time can facilitate a smooth, informed, supportive transition for the children involved. The counselors and life coaches at Life Skills Resource Group Orlando can help guide families through this difficult time of transition.

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Do daily temper tantrums make running errands a nightmare? Are the terrible twos getting to be more than you bargained for?  Do you think that only “perfect parents” have well behaved children?

Young children are learning so much about the world and their families, and it is a great age to make changes that will last a lifetime!

As the mother of a three year old, I understand what other parents could be going through! My degree is Clinical Social Work did not prevent my son from throwing a tantrum at Target a time or two! However, many of the parenting techniques that I learned from the book PARENTING YOUNG CHILDREN changed how I react to my son’s outbursts. This has resulted in less whining and more peaceful shopping trips!

Even though there is no “magic book” that will help you to become a “perfect parent” there are many parenting skills you can develop that will improve the quality of you and your child’s relationship. Best of all, it uses the power of positive parenting to encourage your child to do well, rather than focusing on punishing for bad behavior. Learn how to make consequences logical and fitting for different kinds of behavior challenges.

The terrible two’s can become the terrific threes!

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TODDLER TROUBLE? PRESCHOOL PROBLEMS?

Has your toddler or preschooler suddenly begun to act oppositional? Do you feel that you are at your wits end in how to deal with power struggles and temper tantrums? While it can seems to be impossible to change a toddler’s behavior, it is possible to change your reactions to these behaviors. This can lead to better behavior and a happier household!  While children do not come with an “instruction manual” there are simple techniques that you can utilize. Even the best parents can use new perspective in how to react to the toddler and preschool years.  We will learn the differences between discipline and punishment as well as the difference between praise and encouragement. 

You  may be surprised to find out that you are not alone in struggling with the frustrations of toddlerhood. Being in a parenting group can normalize the feelings you may have. While the Orlando parenting group is facilitated by a counselor, many of the ideas we brainstorm come from fellow group members!

This a fun; interactive course for PARENTS ONLY led by Jessica Stage, MSW, Registered Clinical Social Work Intern, and co-parent to a two year old child. I am also learning every day what a challenge it can be to maintain discipline while having fun with your toddler. Let us work together to become positive role models for our children!

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Today I dropped by sons’ former elementary and middle school St. John Vianney and ended up having a nice chat with Sister Elizabeth Murphy, the principal during both my sons’ years there (they have since graduated from high school and are both in college). We got on the topic of the challenges involved in being a capable parent and Sister brought up a very important point that I would like to pass along.  We invest vast amounts of time and money educating ourselves for our careers but the same cannot be consistently said about how we approach what most of us would say is “the most important job in the world” PARENTING.  Sister and I pondered this as we chatted today, wondering about why it is that parents do not invest in educating themselves on how to best approach the job of parenting.  We did not come up with an answer and to suggest answers would be making judgements on others choices which is not what either of us are in the “business” of doing.  What we are both in the business of doing is helping families to be the best they can be.

For my part I am doing this by continuing to practice of offering Parenting Classes at NO CHARGE, that is right absolutely FREE, several times a year at the LIFE SKILLS RESOURCE GROUP offices.  I believe strongly that when toddlers, school age, and teen age children are parented in an appropriate, respectful manner with limits and boundaries in a household where the parents work as a team (even if they are no longer together) and make time to nurture their personal relationships (in other word the family is not child focused) that children have the best possible opportunity to grow into emotionally healthy, respectful, responsible young adults.  This is HARD WORK parents and sometimes we need support and guidance along the way.  So as you would get additional training on your job, why not consider getting additional training and support for your “most important job”?

Here are the links for our upcoming Parenting Teens class beginning April 11th and Parenting Toddlers class beginning May10th.

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