Children, our gift and our challenge!  Parenting is only easy for those who choose to imitate the parenting style of their own parents.  All others must learn skills and strategies to achieve the cooperation and motivation we desire in our children.

A method called Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP), designed by Don Dinkmeyer and Gary McKay, teaches parents how to achieve discipline with dignity and encouragement.  Since STEP was designed in the late 70s, many of our parents did not have the benefit of these strategies and techniques.  Therefore, when we parent like our parents did, we often punish, discourage and disrespect our children without achieving the desired results.

For example, to punish Johnnie for neglecting his chores builds resentment in everyone, Johnnie and his parents.  However, strategizing with Johnnie ways to motivate himself to do his chores or letting Johnnie choose which chores he will do can permit Johnnie to succeed and his parents to enjoy the cooperation.

Often, children need testing for learning challenges that manifest in behavior problems.  Merrily Neill will gladly refer you to qualified testing psychologists for collaboration with herself and your child's school.  Often, children seem to turn into monsters upon achieving certain ages, i.e. 2 1/2 or 13 years old.  With proven strategies, even these children can be enjoyable. Often, teenagers need an objective adult who is experienced in the world in ways other than their parents.  As an experienced therapist, school counselor and mother, Merrily Neill can offer unique and fresh perspectives to teens and their parents.