3 Things Parents Should Never Do: Part 3

Three Things Parents Should Never Do When Communicating with Teenagers

Part 3 Never Blame

There are three things a parent should avoid when communicating with their precious minds full of mush (teenagers).

1. Never seek agreement
2. Never justify your actions or words
3. Never blame

Blaming can often been seen as a hierarchal struggle for survival in a family, from the oldest sibling down to the youngest child. In our family the dog is in play and some years ago, blaming escalated to such a level that Cheri and I discovered a resident ghost named Ralph causing all sorts of mischief in our home.

What is Your Accent

What is your Accent?

Have you ever been to England? It’s a pleasure listening to a British or an Aussie accent. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to spend in week in the British Isles. It was interesting to notice who spoke with an accent.

What is your accent? Is there somebody at your work or in your circle of influence that is always the center of bad news? Do you hesitate ever asking them how they’re doing for fear they will tell you. They are always suffering from some …itis and the law of attraction consolidates an aura of negativity upon their space.

Financial Coaching vs. Financial Planning

Financial Coaching vs. Financial Planning

What is Family and Financial Coaching? Here is a short list of what we do in contrast to a Financial Planner:

Financial Coach

Teach you how money works

Teach you how to master savings

Teach you how to master spending

Teach you how to effectively communicate about finances

Financial Planner/Advisor

Tell you where to invest your money

Not interested in your savings

Not interested in your spending

Not interested in discussing how you communicate

The financial planning community has one focus and that is to invest your money.

Do Words Have Meaning Anymore?

Within each culture there are certain words that carry a specific meaning known only to the aborigines and veterans of that culture.

For example, in the German culture if you point to the temple on your head with your index finger, you are expressing the same sentiment in German as if you were to extend the middle finger high in the air here in the states.

In Germany, Switzerland, or Austria, if you were to ask the question: “How are you today,” be prepared to listen to an answer. Here, expect to hear one word that carries no meaning. Something like, fine.

What is Financial Coaching

Each time I visit Walt’s Auto Care on Pt. Fosdick, I have an interesting discussion with Ken Blalock, the manager. This time was no different. Ken grew up in a family of educators and when Mr. Dan Gregory the Principal of Henderson Bay was picking up his car, Ken grew nostalgic.

Mr. Gregory and Ken were conversing about the kids nowadays and Ken told a story about his childhood. One afternoon, while Ken’s mom was shopping in the grocery store, Ken and his sister were bored and decided to create a little fun.

It’s My Money

My wife and I attended a recent Bridal show at the Tacoma Dome to discuss our system for helping newlyweds improve the odds that their marriage will last. Some folks were very interested; others were kind but were not.

The most interesting were the very opinionated brides to be when asked, “Do you have a Spending Plan?” Their almost agitated responses proved insightful:

“I have my money and he has his. He’ll never know how much. As long as he buys his socks and underwear, we’re fine.”

Where Have all the Children Gone?

If you were asked what means more to you than anything in the world? What would you say? What would almost anybody say?

I just returned from spending almost a week with the Boy Scouts on a High Adventure in the San Juan Islands. Camping, hiking, cliff jumping, kayaking, swimming and adventure in record-breaking heat.

It was a marvelous time and what made the experience so great was that my son, Scott, spent the time with me as my tent buddy. Each night around the campfire (non-blazing because of a burn ban) we spent time with 15 scouts discussing morals, family, honesty, integrity, and many of the essentials skills and attributes that make up a successful person.

The Balanced Living Systems

There are 5 programs within The Balanced Living System™ .

1. The Balanced Living System: Money Master™

The Money Master program is designed for couples that want to get their financial world organized. At the root of most financial frustration is the inability to effectively communicate, specifically financial topics. Each person comes with his/her own financial blueprint into the marriage and oft times this creates conflict that grows into contention.