Presentation topics:

• “I want what I want when I want it!”
        How to help kids deal with frustration and find their way to the all-important life skill of Adapting:

• How to get kids to cooperate, listen and actually do what you ask, without threats, punishments or timeouts

• How to find your cool when you’ve temporarily lost it
    Parenting without escalating threats, hysteria or the general feeling that you’ve utterly lost control. Yes, it can be done.

• ADD: What it is and isn’t, and how to successfully be a hunter in a farmer’s world
    Helping children and teens deal with problems with focus, impulsivity and organization: Myths and realities of the ADD label, and strategies for helping these right-brained kids succeed in a left-brained world

• Getting homework done without your child—or you—having a meltdown
    Parents who care about helping their children’s success in school often manage the homework experience in a way that creates unnecessary upset and chaos. How to help a child with homework without having it become a daily drama-fest.

• Helping children and teens who struggle with depression and anxiety
     Children at ever younger ages are often compromised by mood challenges. Specific techniques that parents can use to help kids who are chronically fearful, worried, anxious or who consistently feel sad, withdrawn, irritable or hopeless.

• How to be the one your kids turn to, through thick and thin
    How to be calmly and confidently hold the role of being in charge as you hold fast to being “Captain of the ship” in your child’s life. Specific strategies for maintaining the all important place of being the one your child looks to for guidance, support and direction

• The stages of attachment:
How to parent from close connection and ‘right relationship’ to awaken your child’s natural instincts to follow, cooperate and behave

• Connecting— or reconnecting— with your child or teen
    How to connect— or reconnect— with a child or teen who’s resistant, disconnected or shut down: It’s never too late, and much more doable than many parents believe

•••••••••••••

“Your talk was excellent: thought-provoking and challenging to the "traditional" view of treating the symptom of bad behavior versus the underlying cause. I was truly impressed with your knowledge, as well as your skill in creating a safe atmosphere in which parents could talk openly about their concerns. Brava!”
Len Leatherwood, Beverly Hills PTA Council Coordinator

Susan Stiffelman was one of the most dynamic and useful speakers our parents have hosted. Her warm and informative style had our parents at ease in no time, and we had her come back again within a month to continue. Her orientation really makes you think about how we relate and respond to adolescent behavior, and find ways to be positive and supportive.
Patty Lancaster, Counselor, Archer School for Girls, Brentwood, CA

Susan is able to find ways to help all kinds of kids, especially those who are unique and may not be able to have their needs met by the system. Because of her special insights, strategies and alternatives, she’s the one I refer children to who just aren’t succeeding with conventional approaches. Having known Susan for nearly fifteen years, I can recommend her without reservation.
Phil Cott, Principal, Webster Elementary School

"Susan Stiffelman has a refreshing approach to parenting - one infused with humor and compassion. Her responses and reflections about parenting offer parents delightful oppportunities to think anew. Parents left the workshop with utter delight that they had taken time to participate."
Joan Martin, Director, Crossroads Elementary School, Santa Monica, CA

"Every parent and teacher should spend some time with Susan. She is able to impart practical solutions and guidance to the variety of behaviors that we all experience in children as well as adults, enabling the teacher, parent or co-worker to understand and respond in a manner highly beneficial to the situation."

Shari Latta Director, Children’s Creative Workshop, Malibu