As we ease into the new school year, it’s normal to feel the challenges that come with new routines. It’s not just tough on the kids—it’s tough on the adults, too! With this in mind, we are excited to share a valuable resource with our parents and caregivers.
Vanessa Callaghan, MEd. is a parent coach, and host of The Calm Empowered Parent Podcast. In her work supporting schools and parents, her mission is to "provide high-quality research-tested strategies and tools that elevate social and emotional learning and set up children to thrive."
So what is Vanessa's top tip for the transition back to school? Find ways to show your kids they can bring the ‘tough stuff’ to you. How do you do this? When we listen first, and don’t rush to fix things, we build trust by creating safety in the relationship. We want to make sure that alongside fixing problems and getting tasks done, we are also building mutual understanding and respect. That’s where the practice of ‘connecting before correcting’ comes into play (credit: J.Nelson’s "Positive Discipline").
For more on this strategy, and to get two more tips for your back-to-school transition, including the ‘rule of 10 weeks’, watch Vanessa's full 20-minute training. Let’s make this year a great one!