032: The Family Play: Designing a Stage Where Everyone Can Shine

Mar 4

Imagine your family dynamic is a play where the stage is set, the scenery is in place and the play is already underway. When children join the play, they interpret the family stage and then cast themselves in a role to find their own place (i.e. as "the funny one"). When you view your home through this lens, you gain the levity needed to stop "fixing" your kids and start enjoying your family's unique performance.

🔦 Your Spotlight: Notice how your children may become polar opposites to avoid competing for your attention, carving out unique space to ensure they belong.
🎭 Your Script: Realize that what you label "misbehavior" is often just a mismatch between your child's natural rhythm and the script you've established for the house.
🧥 Your Casting: When you stop casting your kids in rigid roles, you give them the freedom to take off old "costumes" and try on healthier ways of interacting with you.

Instead of acting as a stressed-out director trying to control every line, try being a curious producer who sees possibilities and appreciates the nuances of your family's show.

Home Play: This week's invitation is to notice and name a "role" you've accidentally cast a child in (e.g., "The athletic/good/bad/smart one" and catch them acting out of character this week, acknowledging the moment with a simple, neutral observation.

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⁉️Questions/Suggestions/Feedback: Your feedback helps us continue bringing you helpful and insightful episodes every week. Please email us at [email protected]

Hosts

Marjie Longshore, Founder of Family Leadership Center

Paige Trevor, Parent Coach

Special thanks to editor Max Cotter and Wendy Tracy

Resources

🧰Pick up a Family Meeting Toolkit if you don't already have one!

🎧 Take another listen to Episode 011: The Power of Noticing + Shining a Light on Strengths: How Positive Attention Builds Cooperation

🍻Read Paige's Blog, People are Prisms

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