While We're Away...

"We are all interdependent and we have a planetary family" - Dorothy Nolte Law

As many of you know my family and I are headed to Squam Art Workshop to make art and howl at the moon with this family and this mama who I heart very much. Many of us have been dancing to the beat of the distant drumming and now it's time to answer the call...

Will you hold your spirit sacred?

Yes, I will!

As Brené Brown says so eloquently in her inspiring cds, "We can't give our children what we don't have"...how can we give our children the gift of living passionately, a sense of belonging and connection, or nurture their innate creativity...if we don't practice these things in our own life. And for this very reason I signed up for Squam. I am humbled by and grateful for all the support I've received that has helped make it possible for me to attend.

While I'm away, I've asked parenting coach Colleen Baker to guest blog on my behalf and share with you (and me) some of the most common discipline questions that she receives from clients.

Colleen's background is in early childhood education. It was because of her experience in managing 12 childcare centers that she began to focus her attention on parent coaching. She felt that she could make a difference in the lives of individual families and left her field to pursue her calling. She started her business, Powerful Parents, in January of 2008.

Colleen is mother to three charming boys. She is inspired by the work of Sal Severe (How to Behave So Your Children Will Too), and the late Dorothy Law Nolte Ph.D., author of "Children Learn What They Live" whose poem has been posted on refrigerator doors 'round the world. She lives/works in NoVA and is available for telephone consults.

I met Colleen at a parenting workshop at Satchel's favorite haunt, At Play Cafe. Her presentation was insightful and inspiring and addressed a wide variety of parenting concerns. I really appreciated her use of the word "behaviors" rather than "problems" as to me this is a reflection of her respect for children and positive discipline approach.

Colleen has agreed to guest blog for me and will write about four of the most common questions that she receives from parents regarding behaviors and how to address them in a nurturing and positive way. She will answer any questions you may have in the comments section of each post.

I'll be back on the 15th for Most Alive Monday!