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Health & Fitness

I'd love to have your full attention!

Video games, television and cell phones all get in the way of real conversations.  We have a rule that if you look at your cell phone at the table, you have to share the full conversation with everyone, out loud.  That even goes for our sons' friends who eat over.  No kidding.  Just ask them.  The point is that when we actually have time together, we really try hard to be fully there. 

The worst part is that I am as guilty of being "addicted" to my cell phone and ipad as our sons!

Each son has had to ask me to put my cell phone away to really focus on the conversation.  Wow.  I am learning from them how to live in the moment, and be fully present.  If I want them to pay full attention to our conversations, I really need to learn how to model this behavior.  And in my case, they are the models.  Funny how that works.

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I encourage each of you to model being present in the moment.  Put everything else away and really listen to what your kids are saying.   Do more listening than talking.  It will really help build the bonds that will last a lifetime.

If you would like to learn more about the Positive Discipline model which helps build connections and relationships, and how to raise respectful, resourceful and responsible children, check out our upcoming introductory and 6-week class schedule at www.positivedisciplinewesternct.org.   .

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Positive Discipline of Western CT inspires and promotes the development of life skills and respectful relationships in families, schools, and businesses in our local communities. We provide classes to parents, caregivers, educators and youth development workers to help strengthen relationships with children, encouraging them to be responsible, resourceful and self-reliant.

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