A NEW YEAR'S GREETING FROM GORDON
Thank goodness for endings and beginnings. It seems like we need these markers more than ever, especially during times when we are reminded of our fragility and the suffering around us seems unbearable. If 2020 confronted us with what we should never take for granted, hopefully 2021 will make the experience of realized plans and loving togetherness that much sweeter and fulfilling.
As we wish each other happiness, let us not forget to make way for the feelings of sadness that prepare the way. It is only as we feel the sadness over what is outside of our control that our capacity to feel happiness is preserved. This is true for all of us, but our children may need more permission for their sadness as they do not always remember that spring comes after winter.
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SETTING THE STAGE FOR SLOW
A NEW YEAR'S NOTE FROM TAMARA STRIJACK
This is a different New Year’s for me, as I prepare to transition from a full season of activity to a season of intentional rest and retreat. I am taking a three-month sabbatical from January to March, during which time I will be putting to rest my computer, my cell phone, my alarm clock - and basically anything that dings or keeps time. I am hoping to make some space for an internal rhythm to emerge, unencumbered by external pressures, agendas and responsibilities. I have a stack of books ready to read, as well as coloured pens and blank notebooks at the ready to collect whatever is stirred up during this time. My overall theme is slowing things down.
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I am hoping to capture some of this experience in an editorial for the June newsletter, so you can watch for this if you are interested in how this time - or rather, this period of timelessness - unfolds.
I look forward to being part of things again in the spring, beginning with our first online conference in April! And in the meantime, I wish you pockets of SLOW in your own life.
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NEW EDITORIAL
BY ROBIN BROOKS-SHERRIFF
Anyone spending time with a young teenager knows that they can be lovely and intriguing one moment and irrational and angry the next. Their emotions are strong and their prefrontal cortex is under major reconstruction, resulting in incredible highs, desperate lows, mature insight, and impulsive reactions - sometimes all in one day.
The early teen years can be incredibly hard to parent through. Somewhere in the eleven- to thirteen-year age range, our previously reasonable children are likely to become completely allergic to direction. They can appear inconsiderate, act rashly, and yes, even throw tantrums.
Even if previously we enjoyed a close relationship with our child, they are now likely to roll their eyes at us and inform us plainly just how wrong we are about any number of things. They appear to have forgotten everything we ever taught them - from manners to bicycle safety. Many adults throw their hands up in exasperation, feeling they have totally failed as parents or teachers. They ask: where has my tender care and instruction over the last twelve years disappeared to?
Actually, the care and instruction have not been for naught. We, as parents and teachers, have simply entered puberty again, this time as the ones responsible for shepherding our teen through this transition! If we thought it was a rough ride the first time, this time is probably going to be ....TO READ THE REST OF ROBIN'S EDITORIAL CLICK HERE →
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Robin, along with fellow Neufeld faculty member Lisa Weiner, is anchoring the upcoming Making Sense of Adolescence course which starts on January 18th. See below for details and to register. |
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Suitable for any schedule...
Not able to attend at the scheduled time? No problem! Weekly live classes are recorded so you can catch up when it works best for you.
What's included...
In addition to a weekly live class with a Neufeld faculty member, you receive access to our Virtual Campus featuring Dr. Neufeld's video material, discussion forums, study guides, supplementary resources, and much more.
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REGISTER EARLY FOR SCHEDULED ONLINE CLASSES & SAVE 10%
Take advantage of our early-bird discount! Use the PROMO CODES below when you register at least 7 days in advance of the class start date. (Not applicable for Self-Paced Study format.)
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OFFERED BY
ROBIN BROOKS-SHERRIFF & LISA WEINER
MONDAYS, STARTING JAN 18, 2021
9:00 AM TO 10:00 AM PACIFIC
RUNS FOR 10 WEEKS
$250 BEFORE DISCOUNT
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DUE TO DEMAND, THE EARLY-BIRD DATE IS EXTENDED TO JANUARY 12th!
USE PROMO CODE 606004 TO SAVE 10%
Don't miss this SPECIAL EDITION of Making Sense of Adolescence! Dr. Neufeld will join Robin and Lisa for two new sessions on emotion and play as they relate to adolescence.
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OFFERED BY JULE EPP
WEDNESDAYS, STARTING JAN 20, 2021
10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM PACIFIC
RUNS FOR 7 WEEKS
$200 BEFORE DISCOUNT
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REGISTER BY JANUARY 13th TO SAVE 10%. USE PROMO CODE 605004 |
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OFFERED BY MICHELE MAURER
TUESDAYS, STARTING FEB 2, 2021
10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM PACIFIC
RUNS FOR 6 WEEKS
$250 BEFORE DISCOUNT
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REGISTER BY JANUARY 26th TO SAVE 10%. USE PROMO CODE 608004 |
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UPCOMING FREE ZOOM WEBINAR
OFFERED BY DEBORAH MACNAMARA
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020
1:00 TO 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME
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The expression of frustration and aggression in children and teens can take on many forms including temper tantrums and various forms of attack. Part of making headway requires understanding the roots of frustration and aggression and how to deal with the resulting behaviours. This presentation will focus on strategies for dealing with a frustrated child while preserving one’s relationship to them. It will address the importance of setting limits and helping children learn they can survive futilities that are part of life. |
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Did you know that we offer free resources on our website? These include Gordon's two-hour presentation, Relationship Matters, and we're now offering a free resource package to accompany the recording.
Why might you find the Relationship Matters recording helpful?
Society has changed. So too have the challenges of parenting and teaching. We all want our children to realize their full potential. We all want our children to become caring and considerate individuals. Yet achieving these outcomes seems to be getting harder in today’s world. How do we provide the conditions children need to truly grow up? How do we provide direction and discipline without it backfiring? How do we shield our children against the rising tide of aggression and bullying? Gordon addresses these issues and points to a way through. His approach is refreshing and his insights make sense, not only of today’s society but also of the children and youth in our care.
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The Relationship Matters Resource Package has been customized by Neufeld Institute Faculty and Lead Facilitators to help to deepen your understanding of the material presented in the Relationship Matters recording by providing stories and examples, reflection questions and more.
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Registration opens in February!
Mark your calendar: April 16-18, 2021
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