Woodbury Reports, Inc.
Bonners Ferry, ID

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Just Ask a Child

September 16, 2013

"Often, parents go to experts seeking parenting advice because they de-value their own knowledge of raising a child" shared author of her new book: Just Ask a Child: How to Give Children Wings to Soar, Colleen Norris, today's guest on Lon Woodbury's show Parent Choices for Struggling Teens on LA Talk radio. "We (as parents) know our children more than anyone…we have that expertise of knowing our kids." Lon agreed, stating "Parents know the whole child and an expert will only know a 'slice' of a child. Parents, back in the day did ask for help in child raising and parenting questions, but the help they sought back then was through grandparents, aunts and uncles or other family members."

So, what is a parent to do? Colleen's answer- make sure that 3 very basic emotional needs of your child are being met. Those being: 1st, a child needs to 'feel adored', to feel love and be appreciated for who they are. Even as a teenager when they are messing up or making poor decisions, they need to know their parents love them, often termed as unconditional love. 2nd, they need to feel safe, the kids need to know what the boundaries are and it is important for parents to walk the talk. Children learn from modeling after their parents. And lastly, they need to truly be known…individually. It is important to spend separate time with each one and to spend that time really getting to know them. By the age of 6-14, if a child is not honored by being treated individually, they lose self-confidence. "Each child has unique gifts and talents and parents need to know what their child loves to do, what their passions are and what subjects (in school) they like. Comparing siblings sends the message 'you love him/or her more than me' and can be counterproductive to the child feeling adored.

In order to teach family values, parents need to know their own true values and are applying and living these values within their lives and in doing so, the behavior is learned…children learn what they see.

To listen to the full interview, go to Just Ask a Child on LATalkRadio.
Also available in Podcast

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports, Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens.

Colleen Norris is the author to a new parenting book "Just Ask a Child: How to Give Children Wings to Soar" which is in its finishing stages of publishing. With a passion for empowering single mothers to assist their children in feeling supported in reaching their full potential, Colleen believes that in working with single mother families, "the nation will be enriched."

Stay Tuned for Upcoming Programs:

September 23:
President of Landmark College; Peter Eden

September 30:
C. Lynn Williams: "Staying Sane While Raising a Teen"

October 21:
Betty Kreisel Shubert: "What Teen Clothing Choices Say About Them"

Attention Viewers:
Part 3 to the Parent Empowerment Handbook -Wilderness Therapy and Outdoor Adventure E-Book is now available on amazon.com. In addition, Part 1- the Introduction to the Parent Empowerment Handbook and Part 2- Single Sex Schools are also available on Amazon.com