Anxiety is among the top mental health challenge for children, adolescents and adults. The research tells us we can lower children’s anxiety by helping them develop a sense of self-control and self-competence. Let’s explore the home experiences that give children practice in developing these adaptive skills. We can give children the self-confidence and sense of control that will help them to navigate anxiety now and into the future.

When parents choose a school for their child, they look forward to their child growing socially, cognitively, physically and emotionally. Parents can't wait to hear about new friends, classroom learning and playground activities but are often unprepared for the inevitable scraped knees or unkind words from a friend. This workshop lays preparatory groundwork that can help parents develop realistic expectations for the joys and challenges that come with learning and growing within a community of children. It also explores the parent-teacher adult community. As busy adults living in a stressful world, occasional misunderstandings, poorly worded emails and forgotten lunch boxes are bound to occur. How can we stay connected and hold each other with grace and generosity? Let's set some community norms and prepare to grow along with our children.

Research demonstrates that intensive parenting (i.e. helicopter, snowplow) parenting increases anxiety in kids and burns out parents. Yet, it continues to be the dominant style of parenting in the US. In this workshop, we’ll explore current parenting trends and strategies for moving away from intensive parenting and toward healthier approaches. We’ll delve into the mistaken beliefs that can drive intensive parenting and the research that challenges these beliefs.

When we squarely face the realities of climate change and its political and economic side effects, it feels overwhelming to imagine the world our children will experience as adults. There are things we can do to prepare children to calmly navigate difficult situations - now and in the future. Resilience, a sense of personal competence, hope and valuing community are mindsets that serve humans well during difficult times. They’re also highly teachable and we can give children opportunities to practice through everyday activities. Let’s take a hopeful approach to finding personal agency for ourselves as we prepare our children for their future.

Years of experience in helping parents develop a basic understanding of Montessori education led to this workshop. This exploration compares key aspects of Montessori education to the approach of conventional education (internal discipline vs adult enforced discipline, self-discovered error vs adult correction, etc). The contrast is presented in a non-judgemental manner and with compassion for the challenges of conventional schools. Parents walk away with a concrete introduction to core Montessori concepts, ideas for how to start making Montessori shifts at home and without feeling overwhelmed by Montessori jargon. A great workshop for back to school night or a new parent meeting.