Alameda session targets communicating with kids

Oakland Tribune, Jun 9, 2004 by STAFF REPORTS

ALAMEDA -- Can't imagine child-rearing without uttering "because I said so" a little too often?

Then Inbal Kashtan's workshop on nonviolent communication with children could be for you.

Kashtan is a mother, author and co-founder of Bay Area Nonviolent Communication, which advocates compassionate communication based on mutual understanding.

She will give a workshop June 19 on the four principles of communicating nonviolently: (1) observation, free of evaluation, (2) feelings straight from the heart, (3) expressing needs openly without blaming and (4) requests expressed clearly.

The workshop will focus on communicating with children, those master little communicators who mean yuck when they say yuck.

Transform "No!" into nurturing, avoid power struggles and move from judgment to mutual understanding and compassion, say workshop organizers.

Your kids might look askance at you, but they'll thank you later, the organizers say.

Maximum donations of $20 will be accepted, but everyone is welcome at this day-long workshop sponsored by the Home of Truth Spiritual Center and Alameda Peace Network.

Bring a box lunch for a picnic midday in Franklin Park; beverages will be provided.

Call Cassandra Arnold at 337-0354 for details or visit the bunch on the Web at www.baynvc.org

The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 19 at the Home of Truth Spiritual Center, 1300 Grand Ave., Alameda.