Jeff Yalden is pictured with GMG elementary student, Dillon Cooper (on the far left). Yalden was impressed with Cooper as he sat up straight and gave his full attention.

Jeff Yalden, internationally known motivational speaker, told those attending the Parent Session at GMG, “The point of my visit is to inspire you to have greater communication with your family.”

“How much time does the average American parent spend in meaningful conversation with their child everyday?” Guesses ranged from an hour down to 5 minutes. The astounding answer from Yalden is 30 seconds out of every 24 hours!

Limiting the use of cell phones and electronic devices was highly encouraged. Yalden noted that a perfect time to have a conversation with your child is while in the car. He encouraged “responsible use of technology… the average kid today spends 50 hours a week in screen time….. kids need exercise, they need to go home from school and go outside and play, just be a kid.”

There were four points emphasized by Yalden. Number one was the average teen needs eight hours of sleep. Take the cell phone away. Secondly, better nutrition. Yalden said, “The wrestling coach at South Tama had his team sipping on protein shakes, not a soda.” Third, see that the teen gets exercise.. get the blood flowing, get sweaty. Fourth, if there are emotional issues — “Get help!!”

During the afternoon session with the GMG students and staff and in the evening session with the adults, Yalden spoke from his heart, using no notes, and with great depth on the subject of communicating with your child. He noted, “Sadly, the parent who is not here is the one who needs to be here.”

Jeff Yalden is a well known motivational speaker, but quickly builds rapport with his unpretentious manner and dress. He wears a Harley Davidson shirt, jeans and his arms are one huge tattoo. Yalden explained that he has been in counseling for 25 years and suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, is bi-polar and suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Yalden cautioned parents not to live their life through their child and not to make life too easy…. “it is the little failures that lead to greater things….. and remember that the best time to talk is at night before they go to bed. Just sit with them, most of us are afraid of silence – remember silence is golden.”

“It is the choices and the attitude that makes success. The world owes your child nothing. It is not what you are gifted with, but what you make of what you got.” Yalden continued, “The three most powerful words are “I Love You”.

Yalden’s philosophy is printed on the T-shirts he sells. It states: “Work for a cause, not applause; Live life to express, not to impress; and Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt!”

During the afternoon session with the GMG students and staff, Yalden related with the students with a mix of humor and common sense. He told the students if they could answer yes to the following three questions then they would find general happiness in their heart. The questions: 1. Is my life meaningful? 2. Is my life full-filling? And 3. Is my life rewarding?

GMG School Nurse arranged the sessions with Jeff Yalden. He summed up the reason for his presenting, “GMG has had a tough few months with the loss of two students. It is time to communicate with your child. Keep the lines of communication open. Stop and look at your life – where have you been and where are you going. It’s like when you drive a car. The wind shield is so big and the rear view mirror is so small.”