Dec 13, 20242 min read

Less is more

Updated: Dec 15, 2024

In recent weeks, I spent a lot of time with teachers in schools.

Whether in the city or countryside, many are sharing similar experiences.

The attention span of children is lessening and a lot of reminding to complete tasks is necessary.

Is this due to ever increasing technology in all our lives or could it be that this next generation is bringing in new teaching methodologies?

What I mean is of course that more traditional education styles may be becoming less effective and more modern approaches are being born.

At my own son’s parent-teacher meeting last week, I enjoyed hearing that there is a change to how maths is taught in schools.

Instead of telling students how to find the result – it is being explored with the class together.

One of my favourite activities with parents and teachers is what we refer to as ‘Asking vs. Telling’ in Positive Discipline.

Alfred Adler observed that:

“No human can bear to be dominated by another.”

After allowing over 400 participants to express what it feels like to receive commands such as

‘Tidy your room!’, every single person resisted and did not want “to obey”.

When we feel discouraged, we can become annoyed and frustrated.

The more reminding and nagging we hear, the more potential for escalation.

Until I found my own style to organise so tidying became more joyful, others called me messy and cleaning up just overwhelmed me.

As a teenager access to my room was in our home’s most trafficked area.

With the door open, my gear bag stuffed with plastic bags separating sports shoes, towels, toiletries and a handball was in plain sight.

Some family members were not happy and made their opinions known.

Only the tiniest of tweaks by a parent or teacher is necessary to word a sentence differently.

To achieve an outcome that leaves educators feel:

🧚🏼 calmer

🧚🏼 listened to

🧚🏼 more liked and

🧚🏼 confident in their ability to motivate others:

is the greatest gift and is what so many of us desire.

When we truly see the other (in all of our relationships), she or he feels seen in return.

To role model respect to our growing and developing children is a paradigm shift - which I will admit.

Yet it is a powerful discovery for all my clients when they competently take control of what is within their reach.

Some triumphs of mothers and fathers who worked with me in 2024:

🌱 Single parent allows co-parent to raise child differently

🌱 Overcoming school refusal

🌱 Reduced battles over ending screen-time

🌱 Teenage anxiety decreases

🌱 Taking ownership and remembering belongings

🌱 From sibling rivalry to looking out for each other

🌱 Less guilt, more realistic expectations .

Hearing from other parents has proven to be incredibly beneficial and reassuring.

Feel encouraged and empowered to be yourself and join my ‘effortless flow’ membership in 2025.

(Confirming humanity: written by annett)