Niki Gori, LPC

08/12/2023

08/08/2022

Greg Santucci, Occupational Therapist always has great information! Once again he found another quote that hits home! Punishment or teaching? What are your thoughts?

This showed up in my Facebook memories.

Once again, it really got me thinking about why we punish children.

Is it to "teach them a lesson"?
(Not sure if the lesson we're trying to teach is the lesson they're learning)

Is it because we have to prepare them for OUR adult world that we interact with OUR fully formed frontal lobes?

As a dad, I get it. Kids do things that can really frustrate us, drive us nuts, embarrass us... you pick the descriptor. But, the punishment doesn't help solve the problem.

Let's commit to getting out of the revenge business with our kids and students. Let's try to do better than 'you did something that made me mad, so I have to make you feel terrible in return'. Let's teach kods how to solve problems. Hard? Sure. Worth it? 100%

And it just feels better (for everyone).

As always, thank you L.R. Knost for your words of wisdom.

05/19/2022

Your words matter.

My Grandmother always cooked tasty food. But one day, she put a burnt pie in front of my Grandpa.
Not just a little burnt, but black as coal.
I waited to see what my Grandpa would say.
But he just ate the pie n asked how my day was.
Then i heard my Grand Mother apologize to him for his dinner.
I'll never forget his response.
"Dear, i like ur pie."
Later, i asked him if he had told the truth.
He put his arm on my shoulder n said, "Ur Grandma had a tough day at work."
"She was tired."
"The burnt pie didn't harm me but, a sharp word could've hurt her."
We all make mistakes.
We shouldn't focus on mistakes but, support those we love.

~Unknown Author

05/13/2022

I have both of his books full of fun LEGO interventions that all of the kids love! Creative and innovative, The Brick Counselor is a fun resource!

Feeling “Crumby”? Try this cute coping cookie activity so you don’t go to pieces! 🍪 😊