Dec 16, 2016
Tara Cousineau, PhD, is a
Clinical Psychologist, who primarily supports women and girls. She
is a "Kindness Warrior," and the author of an upcoming book called,
The Kindness Cure about how acts of kindness can shift a
person's life.
Through her work with clients and
as the mother of two daughters, she’s observed a decrease in
empathy and a rise in nasty online activity that sometimes rises to
the level of criminal behavior. And when Tara’s daughter was
assaulted by a classmate, she decided to make a difference by
writing a book about kindness.
She works with many women who are
40+ and we discuss the shifts that take place when children become
more independent and how to address these changes. Tara shares
activities that bring her family closer together and she’s learned
from experience that even if you think your kids aren’t paying
attention to the values you’re modeling, you may find out years
later that they actually were.
Listen to the discussion to hear
Tara discuss how:
- Her Clinical Psychology practice
has led her down a more compassionate road where kindness
rules.
- The Kindness Cure was
borne out of her daughter being assaulted by a high school
classmate.
- To set rules and expectations
for your children. But know that they don’t want to disappoint
their parents, so there is a chance that they won’t share their
most important life events.
- Practicing self-compassion will
help you to react calmly in tense situations.
- The world needs a resurgence of
kindness and empathy.
- The “revenge fantasies” that
some teens carry out go beyond “mean girl” behavior.
- Survey results showing that
empathy levels have decreased as narcissism has grown in the
U.S.
- Our culture has switched to
achievement, success, and happiness as opposed to the more
traditional values of kindness, generosity, and fairness.
- Neuroplasticity can offset the
negativity in our society.
- You can deal with “Debbie
Downers” or the “Eeyores” in your life.
- To manage the transition to an
empty nest by coming back into the present moment and acknowledging
your own emotions.
- Adding variety to your routine
can spice up your life!
- Creating a family mission
statement makes a difference even when your children make fun of
it!
Quotes from Tara:
“We forgot basic kindness. We’ve
forgotten what it means to be kind. And that we are in that
state-of-mind where everyone is in that fight or flight
response.”
“We pay too much attention to the
drama. Culturally, we pay attention so that we are almost inundated
24/7 with all the horrible things that happen in the world. And
this is very insidious."
“Be kinder than you think you are. I think we have a sense that we are kind, but it takes effort. I think it takes more effort now, then it has in the past. So I just challenge people to be kinder than you think are and see where it takes you.”
Contact Tara
Website: http://www.taracousineau.com/
Facebook: Moxie Moms Coaching
Twitter: @taracousphd
Linkedin:Tara Cousineau, PhD