We are LIFE
Our Philosophy on Family Life Education
Parents and families deserve to be empowered with education, so that they can understand and solve their own problems. The knowledge of effective parenting does not reside only with "experts".
Parents need to understand normal child development and the range of individual differences, and how our environment affects our behaviour. Parents need a wide range of effective discipline and behaviour management techniques, so that they will not resort to punitive methods out of ignorance and frustration.
Parents learn their parenting and family living skills in their family of origin. Education based solely on skills training is ineffective. Deep-rooted attitudes and patterns learned in childhood must be identified, challenged, and replaced with a new set of beliefs and attitudes, if parents are to make permanent changes in their approach to family living.
It's up to us to interpret their feelings and needs."
Allison Rees
Our Philosophy on Family Life
Each person is a growing creature with unique potential, and deserves to be unconditionally loved, cherished, nurtured, esteemed, respected, and encouraged to develop to his or her full capacity. Parents can provide unconditional love and encouragement by allowing every child to develop at his or her own pace, and by appreciating each child’s uniqueness.
A healthy family is a place in which each member is loved and respected for who he or she is. As they grow, members are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their own life decisions and the development and use of their unique gifts. Children’s moves toward independence are encouraged and appreciated, rather than regarded as insubordination. Roles and areas of authority are determined by individual gifts, maturity, experience, expertise, and interests rather than by gender or hierarchy.
The goals of effective parenting are the development of self-esteem, empathy, responsibility, and values, rather than obedience and conformity. Parents need to teach moral behaviour to their children through limit setting, example, and explicit teaching.
Our Team
Allison Rees
Author, educator, coach, counsellor and mother of two young adults.
As a seasoned professional, she takes the subject of parenting to a deeper level than mainstream programs.
Allison Rees has been teaching LIFE Seminars courses since 1993. Countless parents and Web Head Shot Warm (2)professionals attend these popular courses in Victoria through word of mouth alone. LIFE Seminars has become one of the largest and longest running parenting programs in the world running for over 30 years with an average of 100 parents attending each eight week course.
Allison’s presentations are down to earth, honest and to the point. Lectures are packed with insights, humour and rich interactions with the audience. While her subjects are pre-planned, her lectures are not which is why people don’t tire of the material when they repeat the courses. She has supported thousands of families in this community and is rapidly expanding her knowledge to other professionals worldwide.
Dr. A. Miller
The founder of LIFE
Dr. Alison Miller is LIFE’s original visionary, writer, and lecturer. A child and family psychologist with a private practice in Victoria, B.C., she developed the original LIFE seminars while raising her own children.
She introduced LIFE Seminars’ unique emphasis on helping parents understand their own upbringing and emotions.
She wrote the practical Ask Alison articles on this website (originally published in Island Parent Magazine).
Group Leaders
Facilitators in our Victoria, B.C. courses are parents and helping professionals who are trained in small group facilitation and coaching. They have a sound understanding of the LIFE Seminars material and continue to learn and grow as they volunteer their time.
The leaders provide an empathetic and non-judgmental environment for small discussion groups in which participants share their own parenting experiences as they begin to use this material. They also provide great entertainment to the parents by performing various skits each night.
Group leaders participate in the eight week classes.
Why Choose LIFE
Our goal is to empower parents and professionals through our educational courses, workshops, books, and articles. These courses are for all aged kids but more so for all families.
Proven Results
Many people describe LIFE Seminars as life changing and as having a tremendous positive impact on future generations.
Get answers directly from a professional
There is nothing quite like having a seasoned professional present and answer your questions, compared to prepackaged programs.
Experience
Backed by years of research the LIFE’s materials and philosophies are renowned for teaching people to go deeper and beyond quick fixes.
What Our Clients Say
"Excellent information, well presented…funny and open."
"Love her, I feel like she’s been in my house. Would love to hear more from her."
"Sometimes it feels no matter what one says or does is wrong! She gives one a new perspective. "
"I learned different words to use with kids. I want more, time flew by."
"Allison Rees was fantastic! I would love to hear more seminars by her. She was a great speaker, engaging, funny and super knowledgeable."
"I have heard about Allison from colleagues and she did not disappoint. She is engaging and interesting."
"Allison is a good and loving presenter. She is easy to hear and understand. If we had more time I would like to have small groups to practice techniques."
Our Online Courses
Sidestepping the Power Struggle
- Consists of seven classes on video and the entire Sidestepping workbook
- Individual chapters can be purchased
- Explore your child’s temperament (and yours)
- Understand who you are parenting
- Learn effective strategies to solve family problems
- Avoid unhealthy patterns
Sibling Rivalry
- Individual chapter
- A deeper look at sibling rivalry and effective approaches.
- How do we contribute to sibling rivalry as parents?
- How do we help our kids move toward healthier relationships?
- Practical ideas
- Avoid unhealthy patterns
We offer many more parenting courses
From our Blog
To Discipline or Disciple?
Cut it Out!
What is discipline? One definition is to obtain obedience by using punishment and reward? If you think that word still fits, you might want to, Cut it Out! It might be time for a new word or at least a new twist to that word...
Temper Tantrums
Many normal, wonderful preschoolers have intense and frightening temper tantrums as a way of dealing with frustration, anger and telling the adults in their lives that they aren’t the boss of them!
What were you thinking?
I often joke with parents in my classes about the expression my face has grown accustomed to wearing around my teens. It’s a neutral look, free of judgment and negative emotion. With amazing self-control, it manages to stay there...