Rebecca Wolfenden is a loving Momma to her son and a dedicated EmpoweringParents Parent Coach. She earned her degree in Social Work from West Virginia University and has been with Empowering Parents since 2011. Rebecca has experience working with children and families in home settings and schools, and has extensive practice working with people of all ages who have survived significant emotional and physical trauma.
Procrastinating about homework. Backtalk. Refusal to do chores. Cursing. Most of the parents I speak with on a daily basis know something has to change with their child’s behavior, yet they feel overwhelmed about how to change it and unsure of where to start. With this uncertainty, it’s easy to get “stuck” in a place... Read more »
“I am SO angry right now!!! Why should I give my child another chance, when he’s just going to do it again?!” You're not alone if you find yourself feeling frustrated, angry or hurt by your child’s repeated heart-piercing statements or inappropriate actions. As parent coaches, we hear about everything from huge curse-laden screaming matches, to lies about homework... Read more »
Do you have a well-meaning (or not so well-meaning) relative who constantly undermines your parenting? I wrote a blog about grandparents, and the positive role that they can play in your child’s life. What happens, though, when the opposite happens --when grandparents or other relatives try to negate or undermine the limits you set on... Read more »
Picture this: It’s late and getting later. Jessica was supposed to be home an hour ago and Marie, Jessica's mom, feels her blood pressure ratcheting upwards with every tick of the kitchen clock. Marie alternates between fear for her daughter’s safety, and anger at being late for curfew — again. When Jessica finally walks in... Read more »
Many times on the parent coaching team, we hear from parents who say something like this: “My teen went out with friends last night. I think they were drinking, but I’m not sure. What kind of consequence can I give my child to make sure that this doesn’t happen again?” When I get calls like this,... Read more »
Why is using exercise as a punishment ineffective? What's wrong with having kids run laps, or do some push-ups? There are frequent news stories about childhood obesity, so why don’t we recommend using exercise as a way to address acting-out behavior? Let’s talk for a moment about the difference between consequences and... Read more »
