Comments on: Nod, be present, and listen

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:26:04 +0000

Stevie Kallos, any parenting course you offered, I’d take. Your boys are so lucky to have you–as are your readers, who know better than anyone that (in spite of your midwestern upbringing!) you speak emotional truths we all benefit from hearing. thank you so much for the gift of this piece.

By: margaret

margaret — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:56:42 +0000

I cannot begin to say how many things in my own childhood this letter conjures. Let’s just say lots.
Thanks to Stephanie, and to Annie for inviting her to share this here.
I, too, feasted on “Broken for You,” and still remember the day I bought the book: stuck in an airport, hungry for anything to distract me, expecting little of what was offered in the kiosks. Was I ever glad that plane was so long delayed.
M.

By: TJ Hirst

TJ Hirst — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:30:36 +0000

I never compared parenthood to playing a psychotherapist, but we play so many other roles, it makes sense. I think your final communication technique is one I’ve been trying to explain in my home, we all just want our feelings acknowledged, not necessarily solved. Maybe I should try modeling it by acknowledging theirs more. I appreciate your clear and concise writing to bring this point “home” for me.

By: calibosmom

calibosmom — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:19:37 +0000

What a great post-this is definately a learned skill. My husband and I are really trying to validate more and do less eye rolling. We have been around a lot longer, they are learning things for the first time-we are trying to remember this and be more patient. We appologize a lot!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:45:37 +0000

I realize that a lot of the time, I don’t validate their feelings…because I don’t have time for their blow-ups, their crying, their over-reactions. I have stuff to do and dealing with this irrational feeling is not one of them. How selfish. I love this reminder.

By: Christie

Christie — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:46:57 +0000

This was SUCH good advice. So simple. Life isn’t fair, is it? But why is it so hard for us to accept that as truth? I am a huge fan of her books. She is a brilliant writer. Thanks for getting her to share some more with us.