PTA Speaker to Offer Tips for Meltdown Moments

PTA will welcome author and parent educator Sharon Silver to its December meeting Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Silver is the founder of Proactive Parenting, a website that  offers parents advice and resources on everything from discipline to building a child’s self esteem.  She is also the author of “Stop Reacting, Start Responding: 108 Ways to Discipline Consciously and Become the Parent You Want to Be.”

The focus of Silver’s talk will be based on her workshop, “Parenting Intelligence Distilled for Daily Life,” in which she offers pragmatic advice on what to do before the child brings out the worst in a parent.  Her mindful take on parenting that enables parents to experience “aha” moments instead of “meltdown moments.”

 “My talks sometimes shock parents,” said Silver in a phone interview. “They think I am going to solve the problems they are having with their child, but I’m really talking about them, and how to stop reacting and start responding. It’s all about honoring the child.”

“It’s apparent to me that the foundation of the child is formed during the early years, and those good habits now will payoff in the teen years.”

Silver also makes the distinction between the “logical mind” and the “emotional mind” particularly when speaking to corporate audiences.

“In my corporate work I find a lot of parents who are frustrated and exhausted during their workday, then they go home to their families and they are still in work mode, or in their ‘logical minds.’ When they are greeted by their child who is in his ‘emotional mind,’ there is a collision. Parents need to find a way to get back to their emotional selves.”

Silver says the big issues that come up frequently at parent education events are homework and kids not listening to parents. “Parents have different ideas on what discipline means. So I say let’s have a realistic and practical method to get to that “aha” moment.”

 “I’m a parent, just like the people in the audience, so let’s talk parent to parent, family to family,” said Silver.

Following Silver’s presentation, audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions. She will copies of her book available for purchase.

The Central PTA Parent Education event is open to the public, but an RSVP is requested. To RSVP, email Jill Daniel at pastaqueen@aol.com, or call 650-486-1159.

Central Elementary School is located at 525 Middle Road.