Written Self-Help Programs & Online Coaching & Consultation; guiding parents in solving common problems & concerns about their children (and themselves).

I have devoted my professional life to working with children and families. Initially, I consulted with parents to help them solve problems and concerns about their children. Increasingly, however, I came to realize that “quality of life issues” for parents enter significantly into their ability to provide sound parenting and support for their children.
 

Children prosper when parents prosper:
Parents helping themselves.

Two very significant quality-of-life issues for parents are smoking and obesity. Parents who are sick or inactive because of smoking or obesity cannot provide for children in the same way as parents who are healthy non-smokers. Additionally, as cigarette prices approach $6 a pack, parents who smoke are limiting their ability to provide for their children financially. Many professionals working with children and families have suggested this constitutes a form of child neglect.

Recent court decisions have also suggested smoking in the presence of children is a form of child abuse. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS, commonly referred to as “secondhand smoke”) is every bit as damaging to the health of children and non-smokers as smoking itself. Parents frequently tell me they smoke in another room, away from their children, but this is a weak rationalization for smoking in their home and in their children’s presence. Studies have shown it takes several hours for smoke to clear from a room in which an adult has been smoking. And, why engage in a habit or behavior that repeatedly takes you away from your children? I also frequently see parents smoking in their vehicles while their children are in the car; thinking it is safe because they have their window open or cracked an inch or two. It is not safe and children exposed to ETS have more behavior and school problems and are sick more often than children in non-smoking homes. They have a higher incidence of asthma and allergies and, in the long term, can experience the same difficulties with cancer and cardiac problems seen in smoking adults.

Entertainment vs. information.

A friend once commented my website “is boring”. He suggested “spicing it up” with videos, music, etc. I guess I don’t know how to do that because I am in the business of providing sound information to thoughtful parents grappling with serious problems. I don’t know how to make sound information intended to solve serious behavior problems, family problems, or underachievement and failure in school entertaining. Children need help with many issues and most of them aren’t fun or entertaining. Parents also have problems. I don’t know how to make information dealing with smoking and obesity livelier and more entertaining. Cancer, cardiac problems, and diabetes aren’t fun. Parents who smoke, who are overweight, or who are dealing with personal and mental health issues need information; they need to substitute constructive habits and behaviors for existing self-destructive patterns.

Smoking and obesity are the two major contributors to significant illness and death in the United States. They are linked to various cancers, heart disease, blindness, diabetes, and many other very serious and life threatening ailments. I offer guaranteed help to parents dealing with these problems; although my treatment plans and programs may be boring, they are very effective and affordable. The programs for smoking and weight loss presented on the Parents Helping Themselves page cannot hurt you physically or financially; no medications or supplements are used and each program costs just $69.95, postpaid. If you are not satisfied and don’t stop smoking or lose weight, your payment will be refunded.

In addition to offering Online Coaching & Consultation to parents to help with child related matters, it is available to help parents with personal or adult problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, domestic violence and abuse, etc.). Parents can solve many of their own problems with direction from a trained and competent psychologist. All too often, however, parents do not know where to turn for help. Or, they may not be able to afford hundreds of dollars each month for consultation in a therapist’s office.

You do not need someone to sit and listen to your problems; week after week and month after month. You need someone who is qualified and who can guide you to practical solutions and real change. With a subscription to Online Coaching & Consultation, you will have unlimited access to me during the subscription period so we can work real time to solve your problems and concerns. Seeing someone in week to week counseling would cost $1500 or more for three months of therapy with no guarantees. A three month subscription to Online Coaching & Consultation with me is less than $300, satisfaction guaranteed! You decide where your treatment dollars are best spent. You will get my personal attention if we consult; I do not work with others.

Remember, children prosper when parents prosper. You cannot be the parent you would like to be if burdened with personal problems or bad habits.

Parents helping children.

I help parents solve common problems in children. Solving problems in children is often thought to require professional treatment or therapy but parents can solve many problems themselves with appropriate parenting, discipline, and guidance. What all of my written home-based programs (now including programs for Thumb Sucking, Bedwetting, Temper Tantrums & School Success, with more on the way) have in common is that they are intended for use directly by parents to help their children; solving problems, improving behavior, or developing skills without expensive and often inappropriate or damaging "professional help".

If you don't need help right now, help a friend or relative with his or her child by suggesting my help. Parents are my greatest resource for referrals. Most parents can't get through the day without talking to other parents about concerns and problems involving children. Don't give bad advice, no advice, or reassurances. Refer parents here for real answers and effective solutions!

Discipline or dirty tricks?

Parents in our society are not taught to appropriately discipline their children. Instead, professionals and others teach parents a variety of tricks and gimmicks they can use to control children or put a stop to irritating or unwanted behaviors. What all of these gimmicks have in common is that they are easy to use; they can be applied to any problem and do not require much planning or thought. Another thing they all have in common is that they are ineffective...they don't work in the long term and do not improve children's self control or the choices they make. In fact, commonly used parenting practices often make things worse! For example, punished children may become sneaky; behaving appropriately only when parents are present. Rewards often backfire because rewarded children may learn to behave only when rewards are offered. "What's in it for me?" "What will you give me?"  Visit the Pseudo-info and Myth-information page to see a discussion of the problems with several commonly recommended approaches to what often passes as “child discipline” in our society.

Are you teaching your children self control and self discipline? Or, are you just using commonly accepted but inappropriate parenting strategies that temporarily seem to put you in charge? Do you spank or yell? These are tricks rather than discipline. Other questionable tricks include charts & stickers, naughty chairs, grounding, taking away privileges, and counting to three (Magic?). When was the last time someone tried to make you sit on a chair because you made a mistake? Or yelled at you or spanked you? When was the last time someone took away a privilege you valued for making a mistake? Would that make you more cooperative, pleasant, and compliant? I doubt it. Sound disciplinary practices should teach our children to grow into good adults some day. If what you are doing in the name of discipline would not happen to you, it should not happen to your children and it is not discipline. Let me help you solve problems you are having with your children by teaching you how to truly discipline; solving problems by building skill and self control while, at the same time, maintaining your cool and not losing your temper!

Contact me through the Free Consultation page if you have concerns about your child or need help with discipline. If a suitable written Program is not available to meet your needs, we can solve your problem through a subscription to Online Coaching & Consultation. A subscription includes unlimited online consultation with me (so we can work on your concerns in real time) and a copy of my parenting manual, Non-Combative Child Management & Discipline. The basic online subscription costs about $3 a day and is guaranteed to help. If it does not and you are not satisfied with your progress, you payment will be refunded!

No rewards, incentives, or bribes for good behavior
No unpleasant or unnatural punishments
No expensive or ineffective counseling or therapy
No herbs, special diets, or dangerous medications

About Me

I am a Licensed Psychologist in private practice in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I specialize in problems of children and families and in changing bad or self-destructive habits in adults. I earned my Ph.D. in Psychology at Michigan State University and taught and conducted research in Child Psychology and Learning Theory for 10 years. I then took leave of absence from teaching for two years to become Postdoctoral Fellow in Pediatric and Family Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have been in private practice since completing my Fellowship; helping parents solve behavior problems and other concerns about their children and themselves.

My Guarantee

All of my products, treatment programs, and consultations are fully guaranteed to help with the problems for which they are intended. If you consult with me or purchase any of my treatment programs and follow my suggestions, your payment will be refunded in full if you are not satisfied with your results and progress.

Free Consultation

I offer one free online consultation to demonstrate that my ideas are unique and effective. Fill out my form explaining your concerns. I will respond, evaluating the problem and suggesting a solution. You can then purchase the appropriate program or product if you and/or your child can be helped with the written programs I offer. Or, if the problem is more complex or specific to you or your child, you can arrange for Online Coaching & Consultation. There is no obligation or cost if you conclude you would rather not have my help.

Send a description of your concerns and I will let you know how I can help!