Happy New Year! This is the last blog post for 2009, and I am looking forward to a wonderful 2010!

The New Year celebration is a time of reflection of days past, and to make changes for the days ahead.  The New Year’s holiday and tradition means many things to different people. It may mean a fresh start in life, a time to set goals or resolutions for the future, clearing out the clutter, quitting bad habits, or a beginning to daily affirmations and gratitude.

Whatever your goals are for 2010, take this opportunity to make plans to take care of yourself so that your home with your grandchildren is filled with peace, love, joy, wellness and harmony.  Here are 10 tips to help you make that happen:

G – Get assistance (financial, legal or group support) through your local, state and government agencies and other organizations.

R – Relax and manage your stress to help you gain focus and clarity on the issues and concerns in your household.

A – Ask questions of your grandchildren to build stronger relationships and reduce the risk of them getting into trouble.

N – Nutrition and wellness is important for all family members in dealing with stress.  Nutrition and wellness keeps us healthy in mind, body and soul.

D – Discipline strategies that incorporate love, positive reinforcement and consequences help build stronger and healthier relationships, and reduce conflicts and misbehavior.

C – Communicating, coaching, counseling and conflict resolution are options when issues of stress and emotions are creating conflict and mental health concerns, for both grandparents and grandchildren.

O – Organization of time and space are necessary with additional family members in the home, and help keep everyone on track.

A – Activities are a great way for grandchildren to reduce the stress they are feeling and help build communication, leadership and socialization skills.

C – Children’s temperament is an area all parents and grandparents should be aware of in order to build effective levels of communication and understanding among family members.

H – Hierarchy of Needs, developed by Abraham Maslow, can help explain some of the reactions your grandchildren may be experiencing with their new living arrangements.

I wish you and your grandchildren a safe, healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year!

Warm regards,

Kay Fontana
“The Grandcoach”

As we are rapidly approaching the end of the year, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the holiday activities, changes in weather, finances and the cold and flu season, to name a few.  This time of year brings on a lot of stress in families, particularly with grandparents who are raising grandchildren.  It is also a time when people begin thinking about their New Year’s Resolutions and their goals for the future.

Are you struggling with your goals? Have you put your goals on the back burner to take care of family matters? Or are you trying to accomplish your goals but are doing it on your own?  I must tell you that, even though people say they want to do things on their own, this is not always the best solution.

There is a belief out there that if we ask for help, we have failed, or that we are unable to accomplish our goals.  Some believe that if they ask for guidance that they are not worthy of the outcome.  This is far from the truth.  Building relationships and having people in your life to mentor, coach, train or hold you accountable is the cornerstone of achieving your goals.

The most successful people in the world have had someone in their life to coach them, mentor them, serve as role models or provide them tools that have helped them, their business or their goals leap forward.  It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign that you are ready to take action!

There are two ways of looking at relationships:

Building relationships and partnerships with those whose goals are in direct alignment with your goals and have achieved success in those areas.  I’m sure you have heard the expression, “Don’t reinvent the wheel.”  Use strategies, techniques and advice from those who have “been there” and “done that,” or from those who can help you get from where you are right now to where you want to be.  Some examples would be hiring a coach, working with a mentor, going to a training seminar, or attending a free teleclass or webinar, or joining an association or support group.

Building relationships with people closest to you.  These people would include your family members, friends, co-workers and other people with whom you have a bonded relationship.

Connecting with people who have the same goals in mind, or who are in similar situations as you can be most effective.  You are able to gain support from those who may have already faced similar circumstances as you, and can offer advice to help you achieve your goal.

Stay tuned for more information about building relationships to achieve your goals.  In the meantime, I want to invite you to two free teleseminars coming up next week:

On Tuesday, December 15th at 2pm Eastern, I’m offering: “Put Your Goals Into Powerdrive: 10 Keys to Achieving Success in 2010.”

On Thursday, December 17th at 3pm Eastern, I’m offering: “Got Stress? Get Relief Now! 6 Strategies for Peaceful Easy Living.”

Click on the Teleseminar name to register and find out more information.

Warm regards,

Kay L. Fontana
“The Grandcoach”