Virginia Guevara

01/05/2022

I have seen so many posts about people stressing about going back to remote learning. This year is our first time doing it, and I can feel the pressure (add a toddler to the mix and the energy in the house starts to feel chaotic).

I have also seen a lot of worry about children “losing” more school and how far behind they will be falling in their studies.

I disagree fundamentally with this idea. Most homeschoolers can go through a day of teaching in a few hours instead of a full day of teaching.

I am a big fan of public education. I don’t think there is anything that can replace it. And at the same time, I think we need to keep in mind that their purpose has evolved.

In my opinion, school is meant to (in this order) to provide children for a space to socialize, to provide child care to working families, and to ensure that a minimum standard of knowledge is provided to the general population.

So let’s keep our expectations appropriate for our kids age. If they are in Kindergarten, maybe it will take them a bit longer to start reading - but in Scandinavian countries reading is not introduced until age 7 (some kids may not be ready to start learning before)

If 4 hours of screen time a day is stressing you out because of your own work commitments, or you know that it is too long for them to sit still in front of a computer - reach out to your teacher or principal and request for asynchronous work. In my experience, they know better than anyone the challenges that children are facing and they are looking to help.

I know that for us, what will work is morning of virtual learning and afternoons with so that the boys get time outdoors and a break from the screen (and I know we have an immense privilege to have this set up).

It takes a village to raise a child, and remote or not I would love to help.
If anyone needs to talk, rant or try to brainstorm ways to survive - I would be happy to hear.

04/25/2021

This is so important!

Yes!!! 💕

04/19/2021

Why does "discipline" evoke punishments and making children feel shame, humiliation or pain?

Positive Discipline challenges the idea that we must treat children poorly in order to make them "behave" and instead focuses on five principles for lasting success without using punishments or rewards.

I will be hosting a free one-hour session on April 22 at 8 pm EST. Join me if you would like to learn more.

04/16/2021

I will be facilitating one last introduction to Positive Discipline this month! Come join me for a discussion of techniques that can be used to improve your relationship with your kids!

04/01/2021

We often say we punish our children out of love, because they need it to learn how to behave.
I want you to ask yourself: Are your punishments working or are you fighting the same fights over and over?
Becoming a respectful parent and using positive discipline tools doesn’t mean that there won’t be boundaries or no discipline - it just means that you can do it without using punishments or rewards by being kind AND firm.

——————-
“Se han hecho muchas cosas horribles en nombre del amor. Pero no se puede hacer nada terrible en nombre del respeto” Magda Ge**er.

A menudo decimos que castigamos a nuestros hijos por amor, porque lo necesitan para aprender a comportarse.
Quiero que se pregunten: ¿Están funcionando sus castigos o están peleando las mismas peleas una y otra vez?
La crianza respetuosa y la Disciplina Positiva no rechazan los límites y la disciplina, solo que los mismos se implementan siendo amables y firmes, sin usar castigos o recompensas y creando conexión antes de la corrección.

03/31/2021

Muchísimas gracias por el interés en el taller! Decidí facilitar uno en español para todos aquellos padres que quieren descubrir cómo ayudar a sus niños en su idioma materno!

https://virginiaguevara.com/events/

03/29/2021

Last year, I finally decided to pursue one of my passions and became a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. This training allows me to help parents improve their connection with their children and provide them with tools to handle challenging behaviours without using punishments or rewards.
I have always thought that parenting is the most challenging job we have. We don't receive any special training for it, we have to be available 24/7, and often we don't have additional support. It is not surprising that we end up parenting from a place of survival and reactivity (and that usually makes parenting even more difficult).
I will be facilitating two workshops in April (one hour each). If you or someone you know is struggling with tantrums, listening, a child who seems strong willed or lacking motivation and you are tired of resorting to bribes, threats and punishments without a change in behaviour; I invite you to join me and discover how Positive Discipline can help you move past these conflicts and help your child develop life lasting skills.
Link in bio to register

03/29/2021