Dear Helen, My daughter has just turned 14 and I am having a terrible time disciplining her for anything. Last night I took her phone away as consequence for failing to come home (which she knew the rules before leaving… Read More »How to help when they are going down the wrong path
Hi Helen, Here we are in a New Year. Hopefully, it goes well, and people get the vaccination, and we can get back to some sort of “normal”. I live in a small town and now our nursing home has the… Read More »Ask Helen…Connecting with family during the pandemic
In our support groups, ASPGO leaders use Choice Theory to help parents develop small plans to improve their relationships with their children by changing their own behaviour. The plan should rely solely on the parent. If it depends for success… Read More »The Best Laid Plans
A Letter to Helen Jones, Founder of APSGO I do know that it is my attitude in the whole situation that should change but I am having a really hard time. Here is some background. Our daughter is now 40.… Read More »I know I can’t control what she’s doing
Parents of APSGO are now facing the BIG QUESTION: Are the skills we learn in our parent groups capable of standing up under the greatest test which any generation of parents is likely to encounter. Do the skills and principles we learn… Read More »Parenting teens and young adults in a pandemic
The following was originally a Keynote Address delivered by APSGO Founder Helen Jones at the 2012 APSGO AGM. Credibility Trumps Power In her keynote address, Helen Jones expounded on the difference between credibility and power, and why credibility trumps power… Read More »Credibility Trumps Power in Parenting
A few years ago I was addressing the members of a downtown church where the group was a mix of young and old, professional people, stay at home moms and retirees. The conversation centred of course around APSGO’s emphasis on… Read More »He Ain’t Heavy – Examine your role and live it
Helen, I have a 16 year old who has absolutely no respect for me or his mother or brothers. I could list so many obnoxious things that he does, but there is one issue which really irritates me and spoils… Read More »Family dinnertime & respect
Dear Helen, At a workshop you gave on parents in conflict, you discussed the merits of different parenting approaches in the same family. Would you please repeat the points you made at that workshop? C., Bowmanville Gladly. Here goes: The… Read More »Parents in Conflict – Being on the “Same Page”
There is a truth which is not acknowledged by those who are in authority over others and who live ‘by the book’ and that is that rules are intended to establish conformity. What is the appeal of conformity and why… Read More »Rules & Creativity