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Empathy Makes Parenting and Relationships Better

Empathy is key to keeping healthy relationships.  As we're reading and discussing in Chapter 1 of this semester's book, How To Talk to Kids. Empathy makes all the difference when dealing with difficult times with our children.  It does the same for our partnerships/marriages and every other kind of relationship with people we have (siblings, parents, co-workers, neighbors...).  Here's a nice little (3minute) animation that explains how it works:

Brene Brown on Empathy

In the video, she talks about the Four Qualities of Empathy:
1) Perspective Taking-- recognizing their perspective
2) Staying out of judgement
3) Recognizing and understanding emotions in the other person
4) Communicating the understanding of emotion.

This chart can help us label emotions for our children (and others of every age whom we have relationships with), to communicate our understanding of their emotion.

 This Is How I Feel Today (for young children)
Emotions List (for everyone)

Continuing with the theme for February, working on our partnerships...
14 Tips For Fighting Better

BOOK DISCUSSION
This semester we will be reading the classic parenting book, How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.  This week of February 19, we will discuss Chapter 2.  Of course, reading the chapter is the best way to internalize the book, but if you run out of time, here is a summary.

 Libro en línea gratis en español:  Cómo Hablar para que los Niños Escuchen y Cómo Escuchar para que los Niños Hablen
Resumen del Libro
NO CCSF CLASSES ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19 (President's Holiday)

 Extra!
Here's a great opportunity to learn about parenting without opening a book.  I'll be presenting in one of the sessions.
Time To Connect: A Conference for both Parents and Educators
March 9-10, Kabuki Hotel in SF

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