MAY 14th, 2018 6:30 pm
Raising our T(w)eenagers: Bombarded by peers about school, social life, and choices, how to help our kids grow during the middle school years.
Raising our T(w)eenagers: Bombarded by peers about school, social life, and choices, how to help our kids grow during the middle school years.
Brains, Bodies & Behavior: how to help our daughters grow during middle school.
Be. Here. Now. and 7 other secrets to transforming discipline
At the Expanding Your Horizons STEM conference for middle school girls on the SPSCC campus, I’ll be speaking about Brains, Bodies & Behavior: how to help our daughters grow during middle school. As a total science geek, I’m thrilled to be a part of this day!
Tread Lightly. It is tempting as the story unfolds to follow every moment on the news and social media. Don’t. Turn it off. If you want, check in at the top of the hour for updates. Older kids are getting fatigued into numbness and youngsters often think the replay images are new occurrences.
Talk even though it’s tough. We hope that if we don’t bring it up, our children won’t know what happened. Yet once they are school aged, if we don’t speak up, they will hear the news from a hundred other sources. Don’t fret about the words you use, simply start the conversation. State your truth, “This is hard for me to tell you…”
Speak in Sound Bites. Give children brief facts and information. Then listen. Listen to the nuance of their confusion, questions and comments. Follow their lead. Then (re)assure them. Give them space to weep and wonder. Listen for the emotions that are under their words, assure them that all of their feelings matter. Let them to know that you are here. That together you are bigger and stronger than any disaster. That you will be present for them, no matter how overwhelming life feels.
Stay the Course. We all thrive on routine, and this is especially true in times of trauma. Keep children on their regular schedules. Familiarity breeds comfort.
Look at Each Step. Yes, the media will focus injury and death. But we can talk about life. And all the days each person had before today. And all the people who loved them, and whom they loved. And how, even after someone is gone, they are not gone. They are within us.
Remind Them of all the Helpers. Show children how many responders there are. Doctors, nurses, emergency personnel, teachers, faith leaders, community members—everyone involved is supported by a dozens of adults. As Mister Rogers said “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” Look at all of the helpers here.
Become a Helper. Look for those who need support. It may mean donating resources, time or expertise. Help your kids find ways to contribute. When we give of ourselves, we learn we are capable. When we realize we can overcome, our resiliency for future events is stronger. By finding their own voice in this tragedy, they learn that they can make a difference in the world, no matter what events unfold.
Would you like additional support or help? For yourself, family or community? Contact me here.
Q & A and fabulous food! This small group event is open to everyone. There are 13 spots available for a two and a half hour talk. It is all Q &A about all things parenting. Sleep! Siblings! Discipline! Media! Toilet! Whatever is on your mind, we’ll talk about it. We’ll be meeting at Casa Mia of Olympia from 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets for this event ($15) must be purchased in advance. Come join us!
STICKS and STONES: Bullying, relational aggression, the wheel of problem solving, why we want kids to tell, and what parents can do!
Please join us for our annual workshop on raising kids in the digital age. Use the link to RSVP at Eventbrite, We’ll be sharing the latest research on kids and technology, and helping you establish/revisit/revise your family guidelines to help set your kids up for success. Relevant for all ages. BRING YOUR TWEEN (8-12) or TEEN (13-18) WITH YOU! This is a FREE event and open all in the South Sound region.
Free childcare for very young children will be provided on site. Event is at Charles Wright Academy in the Lower School Commons. It’s the first parking lot/building you see when you get to campus!