Four summertime tips to driving out entitlement and inviting connection and family fun!

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Summer is a great season when families can get away and make memories together! Have you also noticed increased tension between siblings? Do you wonder if you are striking the right balance between providing opportunities for your kids and encouraging an onslaught of entitlement? Read on to learn four simple practices that can curb the never ending need for more for your kids, and a practical way to set up summer time expectations.

Fathers are invaluable when it comes to raising kids. What do you do when burn out hits? I have a quick dad de-stressing ideas for the superhero in your family.

Lastly! Check out my Lemon Squeezy relaxation exercise. This is a perfect activity to do with kids who experience anxiety. It is also a great way for you to unwind after a stressful day.

Sincerely,
Clair Mellenthin
Child & Family Therapist
LCSW, RPT-S

It can be pretty discouraging to observe the trend of entitlement among young people these days. Many parents struggle with helping their children become grateful and hard-working instead of demanding and ungrateful.
Clair offers 4 simple ways you can help your children avoid entitlement:

Set Expectations As Contributions (Not Chores)
Allow Kids To Fail
Turn Off The ATM
Practice Daily Gratitude

Learn how you can put these principles into practice in your home.

Calling All Superheroes!! 4 Ways to De-Stress Dads

Today’s Dads often juggle several hats every day. Balancing all of the demands of fatherhood can be overwhelming.
Clair offers some de-stressing ideas for fathers:

Exercise is crucial for self-care.
Enjoy guy time.
Make time to be alone.
Nurture yourself.

Learn how or watch the video here!

Come join me this summer for my next play therapy workshops:
The Power Of Play: Proven Strategies for Trauma and Attachment in Children and Teens

Fargo, ND (08/10/16)
Sioux Falls, SD (08/11/16)
Omaha, NE (08/12/16)

Lemon Squeezy

This is a full-body self-relaxation technique that I teach to children who have experienced trauma, have a lot of anxiety and worries, or just have a difficult time self-regulating their bodies.

Check out our new cover for My Many Colors of Me. In this workbook, children learn new ways of expressing emotions, understanding where they feel emotions inside their body, and the verbal language to express how they are feeling. This delightful art-based play therapy intervention is appropriate for children ages 3-12.

Buy it now!