Dear Sue: My wife and I have a teenage son and daughter, and we can’t seem to agree on anything. No matter what I say, she constantly undermines me, and I’m not sure our marriage is going to last at… Read More »Should parents always be “on the same page?”
By Sue Kranz When a teen goes to jail, it’s possible to feel grief and guilt and relief all at the same time. I’ve been through this, and this is how it was for me. A friend is going through… Read More »How to stay connected when your teen goes to jail
by Sue Kranz In March of 2003, I discovered a parent group that saved my sanity. The group was based on Choice Theory by William Glasser, and what I learned there changed not only how I parented, but positively impacted… Read More »What I learned in the parent support group
We all know – or think we know – what boundaries are: Boundaries are rules we make for others, or that others make for us. So I made rules for my kids and called those “boundaries”. But I had no… Read More »How to set real boundaries – by Sue Kranz
by Sue Kranz Listening is one of the seven caring habits recommended by William Glasser in Choice Theory. These are the habits that, when put into practice, bring us closer to our sons and daughters – and everyone else. And the… Read More »How to listen and why it matters
Dear Sue, It is a rule that there are no drugs or drug paraphernalia in the house (aka marijuana, grinder, and bongs). My son seems to think the rules don’t apply to him, and so I have repeatedly confiscated and… Read More »How to deal with drugs in the house
(Notes from the Youth Group on Connecting/Disconnecting) We talk about connecting and disconnecting behaviour in terms of relationships – with ourselves or with others. Fair enough. But what if you don’t like the other person? What if you don’t want… Read More »Behaviours that Feel Bad – By Sue Kranz
As a parent, are you invested or involved in your child’s or teen’s life? They may seem similar, but they aren’t. Invested parents are focused on the child’s goals: outcomes and achievement. The parent has an agenda that is more… Read More »Are you Invested or Involved? – By Sue Kranz
The things our children need to be happy and to become well-adjusted, responsible citizens aren’t necessarily the things we think they need – or what they tell us they need. So what do they need most? Safety and security: You… Read More »The 3 things your kids need most – Sue Kranz
Dear Sue, Our son lives at home rent-free. His father and I pay for his car and insurance, and although he has a full-time job, he squanders every cent he makes. He’s also borrowed money from us, but whenever we… Read More »Doing to, doing for, and doing with