When Children Turn Into Cats by Adair Lara 🐈
Have you ever realized that children are like dogs? Loyal and affectionate, but teenagers are like cats…
It’s so easy to be a dog owner.
You feed it, train it, boss it around. And yet it still puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting and bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it.
Then around age 13, your adoring little puppy turns into a cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor.
Instead of dogging your every step, it disappears. You won’t see it again until it gets hungry. Then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn its nose up at whatever you’re serving.
When you reach out to ruffle its head, in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare, as if trying to remember where it has seen you before. You, not realizing that the dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong.
It seems so antisocial, so distant.
It won’t go on family outings.
Since you’re the one who raised it, taught it to fetch and stay and sit on command, you assume that you did something wrong.
Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave.
Only now you’re dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now produces the opposite of the desired result.
Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter.
The more you go toward it, with open arms, the more it moves away.
Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, you should learn to behave like a cat owner.
Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you.
Sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten.
Be there to open the door for it.
And just remember…
One day your grown-up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say, “You’ve been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you.”
Then you’ll realize your cat is now a dog again!
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From Puppies to Cats: The Teen Transition
Reading about the shift from a loyal puppy to a distant cat can be both eye-opening and heart-wrenching. It’s a reminder of the complex journey through the teen years, where our once affectionate children seem to pull away, leaving us feeling confused and longing for the bond we once had.
It’s easy to feel guilty or anxious, thinking we've done something wrong. But this shift is a natural part of growing up. Just like learning to understand a cat's behaviour, we need to adapt our approach, giving them space while staying connected in ways that matter.
Hang in there! Your teen's journey is just as challenging for them as it is for us. And remember, one day, they’ll come back, and the bond you’ve nurtured will shine through again. 🐾❤️
Have you ever realized that children are like dogs? Loyal and affectionate, but teenagers are like cats…
It’s so easy to be a dog owner.
You feed it, train it, boss it around. And yet it still puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting and bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it.
Then around age 13, your adoring little puppy turns into a cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor.
Instead of dogging your every step, it disappears. You won’t see it again until it gets hungry. Then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn its nose up at whatever you’re serving.
When you reach out to ruffle its head, in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare, as if trying to remember where it has seen you before. You, not realizing that the dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong.
It seems so antisocial, so distant.
It won’t go on family outings.
Since you’re the one who raised it, taught it to fetch and stay and sit on command, you assume that you did something wrong.
Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave.
Only now you’re dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now produces the opposite of the desired result.
Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter.
The more you go toward it, with open arms, the more it moves away.
Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, you should learn to behave like a cat owner.
Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you.
Sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten.
Be there to open the door for it.
And just remember…
One day your grown-up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say, “You’ve been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you.”
Then you’ll realize your cat is now a dog again!
—————
From Puppies to Cats: The Teen Transition
Reading about the shift from a loyal puppy to a distant cat can be both eye-opening and heart-wrenching. It’s a reminder of the complex journey through the teen years, where our once affectionate children seem to pull away, leaving us feeling confused and longing for the bond we once had.
It’s easy to feel guilty or anxious, thinking we've done something wrong. But this shift is a natural part of growing up. Just like learning to understand a cat's behaviour, we need to adapt our approach, giving them space while staying connected in ways that matter.
Hang in there! Your teen's journey is just as challenging for them as it is for us. And remember, one day, they’ll come back, and the bond you’ve nurtured will shine through again. 🐾❤️
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Parenting a Third Culture Kid 🌍
A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a child who grows up in a culture different from their parents'. They often mix various cultures into their identity. While this unique upbringing offers rich experiences, it also comes with challenges. TCKs often struggle with feeling truly at home anywhere, face identity confusion, experience frequent goodbyes due to moving, and must balance different cultural expectations.
Tips for Parenting a TCK:
🏠 Create a Sense of Home: Keep routines and familiar spaces to provide stability.
🗣 Open Communication: Talk about the challenges of being a TCK. Validate their unique experiences.
📱 Stay Connected: Help your child maintain relationships across countries using technology.
Parenting a TCK can be a rollercoaster of emotions. You might feel proud of their adaptability and cultural awareness, but also worry about their sense of belonging and identity. Embrace this unique journey filled with both challenges and incredible rewards!
A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a child who grows up in a culture different from their parents'. They often mix various cultures into their identity. While this unique upbringing offers rich experiences, it also comes with challenges. TCKs often struggle with feeling truly at home anywhere, face identity confusion, experience frequent goodbyes due to moving, and must balance different cultural expectations.
Tips for Parenting a TCK:
🏠 Create a Sense of Home: Keep routines and familiar spaces to provide stability.
🗣 Open Communication: Talk about the challenges of being a TCK. Validate their unique experiences.
📱 Stay Connected: Help your child maintain relationships across countries using technology.
Parenting a TCK can be a rollercoaster of emotions. You might feel proud of their adaptability and cultural awareness, but also worry about their sense of belonging and identity. Embrace this unique journey filled with both challenges and incredible rewards!
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Guiding the Future, Healing the Past🌱✨
As parents, we are not just raising children, we're also healing the child within us. Remember those moments from your own childhood when you wished things were different? Now is your chance to make those changes happen, not just for your kids, but as a way to forgive and understand your own parents' journeys.
We're here to break cycles, to learn from the past, and to provide a brighter, more understanding future for our children. It's about giving them the roots to grow and the wings to fly, while offering compassion to the generation that raised us.
💖 Let’s embrace this dual role with kindness and courage.
💬 Share your experiences or lessons learned from your own childhood that you bring into your parenting. Let's grow together by understanding our past.
As parents, we are not just raising children, we're also healing the child within us. Remember those moments from your own childhood when you wished things were different? Now is your chance to make those changes happen, not just for your kids, but as a way to forgive and understand your own parents' journeys.
We're here to break cycles, to learn from the past, and to provide a brighter, more understanding future for our children. It's about giving them the roots to grow and the wings to fly, while offering compassion to the generation that raised us.
💖 Let’s embrace this dual role with kindness and courage.
💬 Share your experiences or lessons learned from your own childhood that you bring into your parenting. Let's grow together by understanding our past.
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What key lesson from your own childhood do you actively bring into your parenting?
Anonymous Poll
33%
Always expressing love and affection
30%
Prioritizing education and learning
40%
Being more understanding and less punitive
59%
Encouraging independence and responsibility
18%
Fostering creativity and play
Loving is a learning journey. Join us for this 3-hour session where you and your spouse will get to rekindle the connection, celebrate your love, and reaffirm your marriage vows. Register today!
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In today's digital age, children are increasingly exposed to online risks, including sexual grooming and harmful content. This workshop is designed to help parents understand these dangers and equip them with practical strategies to protect their children.
Participants will explore various forms of online harm, such as grooming and sextortion, and learn about their psychological impacts on children. The workshop will also cover trends in online behavior, the risks associated with social media and gaming, and effective communication strategies to foster open discussions about online safety.
By the end, parents will be empowered to safeguard their children's digital experiences.
Registration Link:
https://bit.ly/tcwwebinar2024
Date: 28th Sept 2024 (Sat)
Time: 0930am - 1100am
Format: Online Webinar
Successful registrants will receive webinar link via email, at least 3 days before event.
Participants will explore various forms of online harm, such as grooming and sextortion, and learn about their psychological impacts on children. The workshop will also cover trends in online behavior, the risks associated with social media and gaming, and effective communication strategies to foster open discussions about online safety.
By the end, parents will be empowered to safeguard their children's digital experiences.
Registration Link:
https://bit.ly/tcwwebinar2024
Date: 28th Sept 2024 (Sat)
Time: 0930am - 1100am
Format: Online Webinar
Successful registrants will receive webinar link via email, at least 3 days before event.
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很多夫妻往往因为处理钱财的不同观念、缺乏透明和信任度…. 等问题，而伤感情。这个线上讲座内容，提供实际可行的处理财务方案，有助夫妻彼此共识、商讨决策，和睦相处。现在就点击报名吧！
Are You a Helicopter Parent? Time to Land! 🚁
Ever catch yourself hovering over your child like a helicopter, directing their every move? We get it—parenting is tough, and we all want to give our kids every advantage. But here’s the twist: too much hovering can actually hold them back! Studies show that over-controlling can lead to anxious, less confident kids who struggle to navigate life’s challenges on their own.
🔑 Pro Tips
- Give your kids a bit of space to figure things out. Let them try new things, even if it means making mistakes.
- Teach them that failure isn’t the end—it’s a stepping stone to success.
- Instead of jumping in to fix every problem, encourage them to come up with their own solutions. It’s how they’ll learn to stand on their own two feet.
So, instead of hovering like a helicopter, think of yourself as a hot air balloon pilot—give them room to rise and soar! 🎈
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Read more here: https://bit.ly/3SMPltM
Ever catch yourself hovering over your child like a helicopter, directing their every move? We get it—parenting is tough, and we all want to give our kids every advantage. But here’s the twist: too much hovering can actually hold them back! Studies show that over-controlling can lead to anxious, less confident kids who struggle to navigate life’s challenges on their own.
🔑 Pro Tips
- Give your kids a bit of space to figure things out. Let them try new things, even if it means making mistakes.
- Teach them that failure isn’t the end—it’s a stepping stone to success.
- Instead of jumping in to fix every problem, encourage them to come up with their own solutions. It’s how they’ll learn to stand on their own two feet.
So, instead of hovering like a helicopter, think of yourself as a hot air balloon pilot—give them room to rise and soar! 🎈
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Read more here: https://bit.ly/3SMPltM
The Gottman Institute
Helicopter Parenting: From Good Intentions to Poor Outcomes
We live in a competitive world and want to give our kids every advantage. But with helicopter parenting, it can backfire big time.
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Helicopter Parenting: What’s Your Biggest Struggle? 🚁
As parents, we all want to support our kids, but sometimes it’s hard to find the right balance. What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to stepping back and letting your child take the lead?
As parents, we all want to support our kids, but sometimes it’s hard to find the right balance. What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to stepping back and letting your child take the lead?
Anonymous Poll
22%
📝 Resisting the urge to help with homework
24%
🚨 Not stepping in to solve their social problems
18%
🎯 Allowing them to make their own decisions (even the small ones!)
58%
😅 Letting them experience failure without jumping in
28%
🎒 Giving them more independence in daily routines (like packing their own school bag)
Keeping a marriage strong requires hard work and effort. Our Marriage Check-In service helps couples improve their marital satisfaction. Click here to find out more.
Finding a good preschool to meet your child's needs is a significant decision for many parents.
From 14 – 16 October, join TOUCH Child Care (TCC) for their first-ever immersive Open House! Through an immersive showcase of activities done during class, parents can get the opportunity to engage in the TCC experience and gain insight into how children play, learn, and are cared for at the centre. Parents will also get to tour the facilities and classrooms and find out more about TCC's core curriculum and inquiry-based approach.
Interested parents can reserve their slots by filling in the form at https://bit.ly/tccopenhouse24. Slots are limited!
From 14 – 16 October, join TOUCH Child Care (TCC) for their first-ever immersive Open House! Through an immersive showcase of activities done during class, parents can get the opportunity to engage in the TCC experience and gain insight into how children play, learn, and are cared for at the centre. Parents will also get to tour the facilities and classrooms and find out more about TCC's core curriculum and inquiry-based approach.
Interested parents can reserve their slots by filling in the form at https://bit.ly/tccopenhouse24. Slots are limited!
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Building a strong family foundation starts with a strong marriage. Our Marriage & Parenting Check-In service provides personalised insights into your parenting styles and practical handles to enhance communication at home. Strengthen your family bond—click here to learn more!
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🌐 In today’s digital world, it’s crucial for us as parents to be the trusted source of guidance for their children. Discussing difficult topics isn’t always easy, but it’s key to building a strong parent-child relationship. 💬
Here are some tips on how to approach tough conversations:
🗣 Talk with your child, not to them. Aim for two-way communication!
❓ Encourage questions and answer them honestly.
📚 Keep it simple and age-appropriate – don’t overwhelm them.
💖 Reassure them that it’s okay to feel what they’re feeling.
🔁 Make it an ongoing dialogue, not a one-time talk.
For more parenting support, contact TOUCH Parenting at parenting@touch.org.sg
Read more here: https://www.touch.org.sg/about-touch/tips-and-resources/details/2024/09/06/how-to-talk-about-difficult-topics-with-your-child
Here are some tips on how to approach tough conversations:
🗣 Talk with your child, not to them. Aim for two-way communication!
❓ Encourage questions and answer them honestly.
📚 Keep it simple and age-appropriate – don’t overwhelm them.
💖 Reassure them that it’s okay to feel what they’re feeling.
🔁 Make it an ongoing dialogue, not a one-time talk.
For more parenting support, contact TOUCH Parenting at parenting@touch.org.sg
Read more here: https://www.touch.org.sg/about-touch/tips-and-resources/details/2024/09/06/how-to-talk-about-difficult-topics-with-your-child
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What are some topics you find difficult discussing with your child?
Anonymous Poll
80%
Sexuality and relationships
29%
Mental health and emotional well-being
24%
Death and grief
31%
Body changes and puberty
22%
Financial literacy and money management
25%
Critical thinking about online news
💍 It’s often said that when you marry someone, you marry their entire family. You can't separate your spouse from their family, and they become part of your marriage package. In-law relationships can be tricky, but open communication, setting boundaries, patience, and mutual respect are key.
TOUCH Marriage Support shares 6 tips for building strong in-law relationships:
🔑 Respect your new family’s traditions.
🗣 Talk openly with your spouse about expectations.
💡 Understand your in-laws with empathy, avoid confrontation.
🤝 Seek peace with your spouse during disagreements.
👪 Embrace differences, don't compare families.
❤️ Support your spouse and communicate directly.
Read more here: https://www.touch.org.sg/about-touch/tips-and-resources/details/2024/09/06/building-strong-in-law-relationships
TOUCH Marriage Support shares 6 tips for building strong in-law relationships:
🔑 Respect your new family’s traditions.
🗣 Talk openly with your spouse about expectations.
💡 Understand your in-laws with empathy, avoid confrontation.
🤝 Seek peace with your spouse during disagreements.
👪 Embrace differences, don't compare families.
❤️ Support your spouse and communicate directly.
Read more here: https://www.touch.org.sg/about-touch/tips-and-resources/details/2024/09/06/building-strong-in-law-relationships
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Hi parents of tweens and teenagers!
Are you starting to consider allowing your tween to embark on their social media journey and want to start well with your child?
Are you hoping to understand more about your teen’s social media experience and have good conversations with him/her to make aware your concerns and keep them safe?
Join us on 12th Nov 2024 (3-5pm) for an exclusive launch of our upcoming 2025 Parent-Child Workshop! Designed to empower families, this event will launch a digital parenting programme that will support parents in guiding their teens toward healthy social media habits and equip parents of tweens with essential skills for fostering open, effective conversations around safe online experiences and boundaries.
Limited capacity available—please register by scanning the QR code or clicking on this link https://forms.office.com/r/Z13VVx6wAU
A confirmation email or SMS with event details will follow.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to strengthen your family’s digital wellness!
Are you starting to consider allowing your tween to embark on their social media journey and want to start well with your child?
Are you hoping to understand more about your teen’s social media experience and have good conversations with him/her to make aware your concerns and keep them safe?
Join us on 12th Nov 2024 (3-5pm) for an exclusive launch of our upcoming 2025 Parent-Child Workshop! Designed to empower families, this event will launch a digital parenting programme that will support parents in guiding their teens toward healthy social media habits and equip parents of tweens with essential skills for fostering open, effective conversations around safe online experiences and boundaries.
Limited capacity available—please register by scanning the QR code or clicking on this link https://forms.office.com/r/Z13VVx6wAU
A confirmation email or SMS with event details will follow.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to strengthen your family’s digital wellness!
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