For many years, I have been deeply concerned about the way we treat each other in society. As a parent, I’ve often wondered, what are we teaching our children…what are we modeling for them? In my own work, as a child & adolescent therapist and parent coach, I’ve been very concerned about children and families. I’ve spent many hours listening to children, and what I’ve witnessed are children who want to be seen by their parents…really seen. Their parents are often very giving and loving but perhaps not in the way the child needs their love. Today’s parents are often overwhelmed and distracted by life’s responsibilities. They want to provide for their child, however the newest video game or smart phone, although it may be very attractive at first, will not teach values or enrich their relationship with their child.

The family is changing as we’ve known it. In our face paced world, I believe something is missing…our connection with each other…and I believe that connection begins with the family.

I’ve invited my guest Richard Eyre to join my conversation. Richard is a Harvard Business School—trained management consultant, former Director of the White House Conference on Parents and Children, Gubernatorial candidate, and a ranked senior tennis player. Richard and his wife Linda, have authored forty books, are the parents of nine, and the grandparents of twenty-six. They write and speak on family strategies and life-balance for parents, teachers, and business and government leaders throughout the world. Richard and Linda have been recognized by many, including Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Phil, as experts in helping parents teach and nurture family values.

The Eyre’s latest book is entitled, “The Turning…Why the State of the Family Matters, and What the World Can Do About It”. The Eyres state…

“The decline, demise and disappearance of functioning families is, simply put, the biggest crisis facing the developed world today.”

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