I promised myself I wouldn’t offer platitudes to hurting people–that Celebrate Calm would be a place where we could tackle the ugliest situations with honesty and humility. People are hurting today and sometimes the flowers and gifts make the pain more acute, because the disparity between what could have been and reality becomes starkly vivid.… Continue Reading ›

Bring friends to the following FREE Workshops. There is no need to register. Eliminate defiance, disrespect, and power struggles (even with teens). Improve focus, attention, and behavior in class. Relieve anxiety, sensory issues and sibling fights. Create behavior plans that really change behavior. Get kids to take responsibility for their attitudes, choices and work. Want… Continue Reading ›

Bring friends to the following FREE Workshops. There is no need to register. Eliminate defiance, disrespect, and power struggles (even with teens). Improve focus, attention, and behavior in class. Relieve anxiety, sensory issues and sibling fights. Create behavior plans that really change behavior. Get kids to take responsibility for their attitudes, choices and work. Want… Continue Reading ›

What do you wish your spouse knew about how you feel inside? What do you wish you could say without your spouse becoming defensive, so that he/she understood you? This is the process we’re going through with couples as we prepare for the Calm Couples™ Marriage Challenge. I would like your feedback. Do not reply… Continue Reading ›

Ugh. I know you don’t even want to deal with this now because you are exhausted, but you must. It only gets more difficult the longer you wait. It isn’t going away. Do any of these situations describe yours? – Your husband hasn’t been engaged emotionally. You didn’t want to rock the boat so you… Continue Reading ›

A couple hundred people emailed asking for thoughts on the viral video of the father shooting his daughter’s laptop on Facebook. My perspective may be different, but here goes. I love firm discipline. Discipline is something you do for your children, not to them. Discipline demonstrates love because you put your child’s long-term growth ahead… Continue Reading ›

Need help with an unmotivated child? Want to give a gift that lasts forever? Do you think your challenging child (or spouse!) would remember a gift like the letter below? Can you bring yourself to write something like this? It can change lives. And it’s a great tradition for Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year’s Day.… Continue Reading ›

Today, I change my family tree. I identify those patterns passed down through parents and grandparents–anxiety, worry, meddling, lecturing, yelling, fear and intimidation, abuse. I give my children a gift that will reach through generations. Instead of trying to change my kids, spouse, friends or boss, I change myself. I learn to control myself, my… Continue Reading ›

Calm is not a doormat. Calm does not roll over. Calm is not passive. Calm does not ignore situations. Neither does it try to make situations go away. Calm allows me to stay engaged in the midst of ugly meltdowns and conflict. Instead of my intensity inflaming situations, I use my intensity to listen to… Continue Reading ›