Parent Express for 24-Jan-2006

Welcome to Parent Express, the PCI e-zine! Here you will find updates on the Parent Coaching Institute, along with ideas and practical tips for the parenting journey.

Simplifying Life is our focus this week, as most of us move into the new year with a renewed vigor to attain our goals. PCI Certified Coach™ Alexandra Blumencranz’s article on Organic Parenting (see below) reminds us of the value of returning to the core of our parenting this year. Moms and dads are buying more organic products than ever and evidently see value in that. Alex asks us to consider the question: “What about Organic Parenting for healthier families?”

Under our Parenting Tip column, I review the helpful book, Comfortable Chaos, by Seattle-area authors Beth Herrild and Carolyn Harvey. Beth and Carolyn say, “Forget balance and make career and family choices that work for you.” In doing this, I believe we return to the core of ourselves and ultimately simplify our lives in the process!

For great ideas for family media literacy and simplifying our lives with screen technology, listen to my radio show, Parent Appreciation Radio this Saturday, Jan. 28. Our guest is Michelle Strickland, PCI Certified Coach™ from Woodland Park, CO. Michelle specializes in helping parents make realistic decisions about media that result in positive changes for the whole family. In the Puget Sound area, tune in on 1150AM at 11 a.m., pacific time. Out of the area, you can listen live on the web at that time: www1150KKNW.com.

Here's to more simplicity and more time to enjoy it!

-Gloria DeGaetano, Founder and CEO

We are now taking applications for Spring Quarter 2006, to begin phone classes in March. Receive your course materials early and start your training year at a leisurely rate. If you are a forward-thinking professional with an undergraduate degree and a deep calling to work with parents, welcome home. We seek the “best of the best” for our acclaimed distance-learning Parent Coach Certification Training Program™. Please click here for more information.

As a PCI Certified Parent Coach™ you'll have the opportunity to create a parent coaching practice, working with moms and dads who want to take their parenting to the next level. Call Anne Juhlian, our Director of Admissions, for more information: 425-753-8822 or email: annemariejuhlian@comcast.net.

You are going to be amazed at what a PCI Parent Coach can do for you and your family!

PCI Certified Parent Coaches™ are caring, thoughtful professionals with years of experience working with parents. PCI Certified Parent Coaches™ have successfully completed the PCI Parent Coach Certification Training Program™ — a comprehensive academic one-year, graduate-level program in collaboration with Seattle Pacific University.

Through a series of coaching conversations that can be either by telephone or in person, PCI Parent Coaches help you re-discover your dreams and design your life for more joy and satisfaction.

To find a PCI Parent Coach in your area, please click here, or call 425-401-1519 for a referral to a PCI Parent Coach selected especially for you.

Moms and Dads, tune in every Saturday morning at 11 a.m. on 1150 AM for true understanding, authentic affirmation, and real-world solutions to parenting challenges while sharing laughter and conversation. We want to hear your stories too! So call us on Saturday! In the Seattle area, call 425-373-5527. Out of town, call 888-298-5569. Listen to us on the web: www.1150kknw.com

Upcoming topic and guest:

Organic Parenting

by Alexandra Blumencranz, PCI Certified Parent Coach™

(Alex, from Clearwater, FL owns and operates Positive Parent Coaching. )

These days, a healthier lifestyle has become the goal that society as a whole is supposed to strive for. Research shows that daily exercise and a diet low in saturated fats and red meat, for example will allow us to live longer, healthier lives. We know that habits such a smoking should stop. Trends in yoga, mediation, and even aroma therapy are gaining momentum since they are used to battle the effects of stress that have become so prevalent in our lives. Especially with the foods we eat, we are moving towards everything organic and the way Mother Nature intended it – free from pesticides, carcinogenics, and hormones. What we are doing for our bodies, we need to also do for our children and families.

Many parents, when asked, will agree that they are doing everything they can for their kids...the best schools, foods, educational toys, and opportunities. What’s interesting is that the same families have such hectic schedules, that there is never any family time together. No more family dinners around the kitchen table where everyone shares about their day. Kids sit in front of the TV instead of playing with each other outside so that parents can get things accomplished. No one is monitoring what video games our children are watching so violent images are taking over our children’s imaginations. Learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD are rapidly growing. Books no longer have an important place on our shelves. The importance of play has taken a back seat to academics and “getting ahead.” We are so quick to buy organic foods, organic cotton for clothing, or even organic make-up, but whatever happened to the organic family?

The term “Organic Parenting” actually relates to the study of ancient tribal communities where they live a natural life in the true sense of the word. The main focus of these societies is the family and life revolves around it. The men “hunt”, the women “gather,” and the tribe as a whole takes care of each other. It’s the job not only of the parent, but of the extended family as well to take care of the children. Traditions, values, stories, and beliefs are passed down from generation to generation. Children still play and imagine, but they have a role and importance in the community. What can we learn from this organic society? How can a 21st century family get back to the basics while still keeping up with the times?

Read more.

The PCI was featured in an article in the Sunday section of the King County Journal (January 15, 2006). The cover of their special Sunday magazine, Women’s Journal, showed Gloria doing something she loves to do—speaking from her heart to parents. Debbie Weidner, PCI Parent Coach from Woodinville, WA and one of her clients were also featured. Debbie was able to get some of her great parenting tips in and her client, Pam, had nothing but raves about the PCI parent coaching process. You can read the article by clicking here.

At the end of this month, The PCI completes a very successful Parent Coaching Pilot Project, conducted in collaboration with Snohomish County Office of Children’s Affairs. Fifteen of our parent coaches in training from all across the country took part. The moms and dads coached were very grateful for our assistance. So many commented on the graciousness of our coaches and how much they learned about themselves and their children in this process. The research data will be compiled and shared with county agencies for expansion of the project so the PCI can reach more parents with our very effective coaching model!

Workshop, Re-Directing Media-Driven Kids, by Gloria DeGaetano, Friday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bellevue, WA. For parents and for professionals working with families. If you are sick and tired about media’s negative influences on the children and teens you love, then this workshop is for you! Based on Gloria’s extensive research, participants receive practical tools and strategies that work and can be easily implemented at home or in classroom. No need to let our kids become corporate clones or media drones. Using Gloria’s proven brain-compatible techniques, participants learn sure-fire ways to ignite children’s full potential and avoid potential and predictable pit-falls of a media culture. Participants receive a free copy of Parenting Well in a Media Age, along with another one of Gloria's books or curriculum manuals of their choice. Cost: $109.00. To register call 425-401-1519. Registration ends January 27th.

To engage Gloria DeGaetano for a keynote or workshop, contact her at 425-401-1519 or 1-888-599-4447.

Workshop, Appreciation in Action, Using Gratitude as a Catalyst for Positive Change, with interfaith minister Jamal Rahman, Friday, March 3, 8:30 a.m. to noon in Bellevue. Jamal will energize and excite you with his insights and understandings of the power of appreciation. A popular speaker, author, and nationally recognized leader, Jamal conveys the essence of core values for true success, optimal workplace performance and for staying peaceful and centered on our chosen path. Learn a vocabulary of hope to use with your colleagues, spouses, or children. Enjoy Jamal’s humor, wit, and dedication to making this world a better place by helping us to show up as our best selves. Jamal’s latest book, The Fragrance of Faith, will be available for purchase. Cost: $79.95 This is a popular workshop so registrations are accepted now by calling 425-401-1519. Purchase Orders may be faxed to: 425-401-1572. Space Limited.

Entering the Chaos The wonderful book, Comfortable with Chaos, by Seattle areas speakers, Carolyn Harvey and Beth Herrild is a must-have for today’s moms. Filled with realistic insights and practical techniques, the authors who are corporate veterans and mothers, bring a refreshingly innovative approach to the subject of “balance.” At the PCI we embrace living systems theory and in doing so, embrace chaos. The idea is that we have to enter the chaos in order to bring about stability—get over the thinking that we’re not doing something right if we have messy bedrooms, too many piles on our office desk, upset kitchens, or over-scheduled days. The trick, as Harvey and Herrild remind us, is to find our own path through the chaos and be content with our choices. In researching the book, they talked with a lot of mothers and “marveled at the infinite ways people have crafted unique solutions to fit their personalities and lifestyles.” The authors consult and conduct trainings and seminars. Visit their website at www.questforbalance.net or e-mail them at questforbalance@comcast.net Read the Rest of the Book Review