The Kid-Friendly Problem Solving Chart is here!!
The Kid-Friendly Problem Solving Chart is here!!
In a previous post, I told you the story of the first time I used the Hourglass Method to help me navigate a power struggle with my son, CJ. Read that here.
Immediately, I began designing a chart for other kids and parents to use together too.
And now it’s ready for you!
Here’s the story behind the development of the Kid-Friendly Problem Solving chart.
I can’t wait to hear how this helps you.
–Dr. Heather Cline
Designing the Kid-Friendly Problem Solving Chart.
Today I’m sharing a story of when my parenting and professional lives collided, and resulted in an evolution of my work and (more importantly) a new way for you to talk through conflict with kiddos that’s productive, empathic, and supports their development.
Did I mention productive? Like, satisfying to you both in the moment and helpful moving forward.
No more yelling, “BECAUSE I SAID SO!” with everyone stomping and huffing…and disconnecting.
Sure, that can get you through the moment, but no one feels good about it and it doesn’t help for next time.
Instead, the new Kid-Friendly Problem Solving Chart helps:
Diffuse power struggles
Everyone feel seen and heard
Find a mutual solution
Create connection!
Develop shared language for next time
Bonus! You can help you child develop all of these skills (and more):
Greater empathy and perspective-taking
Thoughtful, productive problem-solving
Appropriately express their feelings and needs
See how their behavior or choices impacts their goals or what they want
How many times have you tried to tell them to make a better choice?
Well, there’s a reason you have to keep telling them over and over again.
Don’t worry though, because the Hourglass is designed to cultivate wise decisions!
The Hourglass helps them see it for themselves.
In a previous post I shared a story of how I first started using the Hourglass Method to get through a power struggle with my son, CJ. It was so helpful that we worked together to design a chart other kids will like too!
To be clear, the Hourglass Method isn’t new. It’s been used with adults for nearly 30 years, and was originally developed and researched at the University of Minnesota. Read more about RDPED here.
What is new is a kid-friendly tool that parents and kiddos can use to problem-solve together!
The Hourglass Method is good problem-solving.
To bring this idea to life, CJ and I worked together to draw out the design and layout.
Then, we worked with a professional designer to create the final product.
We simplified the questions and formatted them to fit onto a one-page document that would be easy to print out and write on.
The challenge was figuring out how to incorporate an hourglass into the design.
What’s up with the hourglass?
Well, that’s part of the science that makes this tool work. You know how an hourglass is bigger at the top and bottom, and narrow in the middle?
This is a good way to think through something too!
Hourglass Questions start broad and open, get more narrow and focused, and then move you out to a larger focus again.
The questions are designed to help you (and your child) to stay in the moment, stay more open and less defensive, and think about a situation with more creativity and compassion.
Creativity and compassion are necessary for identifying a new solution that works for you both.
The Kid-Friendly Problem Solving Chart walks you through a collaborative conversation so you can both feel seen and heard.
We outlined five simple steps to walk you through the process, and included them on the back.
They lead you to a unique solution that only you could figure out together.
When you do, there’s a special place for you to highlight your solution. Hang this on the fridge as a reminder for next time.
Visuals are so helpful for children, and for adults!
And there you have it. A simple, yet powerful, tool to help you talk through a challenge with your kiddo(s), such as:
Sibling conflict
Frustrating/boken routines
The thing you keep fighting, complaining, or worrying about.
Download your Kid-Friendly Problem Solving chart today!
Get more help with problem solving.
If more guidance would help you feel more confident using this process, I’ve got you covered with two options!
I created a short, video course to demonstrate how to use Hourglass Problem Solving and we walk through the steps together.
The course includes three videos, and will take you an hour to watch. The chart is included in the course so you’ve got everything you need to get started.
If you want a more personalized experience, let’s jump on a call together.
I’ll walk you through the process with your specific situation in mind. This conversation also includes the chart so no need to purchase the download separately.
