Heather Stevenson, M.A. - Helping Parents and Children Create Closer Relationships
Open Heart Parenting
Have you found that the "normal" way of raising kids isn't really working very well? Do you find that your child doesn’t talk to you as much as you would like? Are you uncomfortable with using punishment to control your child’s behavior? If so, you may be wondering if there is a different way of approaching things. And there is!
 
Open Heart Parenting is based on the beliefs that parents and children will experience more closeness and less conflict when everyone’s needs are respected and addressed; that children benefit emotionally, intellectually, and socially when allowed to express all their feelings to an attentive parent; and that the most effective discipline is based on mutual respect, and maintains the sense of connection between parents and children.
 
Based on Aware Parenting (a philosophy developed by Dr. Aletha Solter), my approach can:
  • Decrease power struggles between parents and children
  • Help children sleep better
  • Improve behavior problems
  • Address sibling rivalry
  • Help children prepare for a difficult event, such as surgery
  • Support parents in helping their children recover from trauma
 
 
 Testimonials
"Heather is a wonderful, non-judgmental listener, which is very important. She makes you feel like you could say anything and not be judged. I think feeling like you can be totally open is important in a class about parenting. She is also very organized and makes the information very clear, which helps since there’s SO much to learn about parenting and it can get overwhelming if its not presented in an organized way." --Non-Punitive Discipline Class Participant
 
 
I was at a low point, feeling very overwhelmed. Heather’s class was like a bit of sun each week burning the cloud over my head. I truly felt lighter at the end of the class each week. Being in this state of mindfulness but relaxed has help me address my kids in a more positive way. 
--Non-Punitive Discipline Class Participant
Upcoming Class
The following class is being offered through Santa Barbara City College Continuing Education. 

Discipline Without Punishments 
or Rewards
(co-taught with Aletha Solter, Ph.D.)
Three Saturdays beginning
February 23, 2013
9 am to 1 pm
Free

Learn how to raise cooperative, responsible, and self-disciplined children without being either a dictator or a doormat. We will discuss the pitfalls of punishments and rewards, and review the basic techniques of democratic discipline with mutual respect between adults and children. Discover the reasons for inappropriate behavior, and learn how to change children's behavior by recognizing and meeting their needs. Includes demonstrations, and class participation opportunities. Infants in arms okay. 

This class is for parents, teachers, and caretakers of newborns to pre-adolescents.CEU's will be available for RN/LVN, CNA, and MFT/LCSW. It is sponsored by Santa Barbara Community College Continuing Education, and it is free and open to the public. 

You can register for this class here: 
 
http://sbcc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=9903
 
PLEASE NOTE: The SBCC website says that there is a waiting list for the class. Please go ahead and sign up on the waiting list--you will definitely be able to get into the class! Just come to class when it starts and you will be able to get in. 
 
Click here for a flyer. 
 
Location:
Continuing Education
Schott Center, Room 29
310 West Padre Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
....
 


Click here for more information or contact Heather at 805-453-4570 or heather@openheartparenting.com for more information. 
 
 
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