The Heartful Parent
and
Savvy Parents Safe Kids
Resource Page
Welcome and Congratulations on opening up the doors to our robust and ever-growing list of parenting resources. Check back here anytime to access and download these resources, and to check for updates and additions!
We are so happy to have you here. I hope the resources you find below will be a supportive part of your parenting journey. To better meet your needs, we'd love to know more about you--would you be willing to share?
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Combating Racism
We live in a world wracked by subtle--and not-so-subtle--racism. White/non-minority parents have the power to move the needle forward on this painful issue through self-reflection, educating themselves, empathy, and talking openly with their children.
But how do you get the conversation started? Most white parents are exceedingly uncomfortable talking about these issues--we were simply never taught how to do that. To get started on your own journey as an anti-racist parent, here are some of my favorite resources for both you and your kids!
Addressing Anxiety
Stress, anxiety, and fear are rampant among adults and children these days. Some have gone so far as to call it an epidemic. Dismissing our children's emotions or telling them to "deal," "suck it up," and "get over it" is patently unhelpful.
But what to we do in place of that? Most of us were never given the opportunity to develop emotional regulation skills and it's hard to teach what we don't really know. Here are some great resources to get you started helping your children (and maybe yourself) address stress and anxiety in a healthy way.
Understanding Death
We live in a society that is typically uncomfortable talking about death. A natural life process, death has become increasingly medicalized over the years, causing us to feel more disconnected and afraid of the process. But it's the only thing in life that 100% of us are guaranteed to do!
Helping children understand death in a healthy way is heartful parenting at its finest. Here are my favorite books to share with them about death as well as ten tips for helping children understand and process death, loss, and grief.
Cell Phone Contract
Cell phones are increasingly both a gift and a curse to families. With the unfettered access to the internet that most phones provide, many parents struggle with how to manage the content quality, social interactions children and duration of device usage.
While a contract doesn't guarantee smooth parenting when it comes to electronic devices, it can be a solid start to helping children develop a healthy relationship with media of all kinds. Access The Heartful Parent Academy and Savvy Parents Safe Kids cell phone contract here!
What is Bullying?
It's easy to think every act of unkindness is "bullying." But the reality is many of the interactions between children are normal, developmentally appropriate relational aggression. Bullying is something more insidious.
Parenting Styles for Bully-Proofing Kids
Authoritative parenting is the hardest style of parenting to master. Being kind and firm at the same time doesn't come naturally to most of us. But when we do it, and do it well, our kids--and us--reap the rewards.
Building Empathy Muscles
There are some challenges to helping children build their empathy muscles, but when we are aware of those, they are easier to overcome. Further, when we place conscious effort into helping our children build the skill of empathy, we help them stand UP against bullies and unkind acts.
Empathy Building Books
Books and other media can be a wonderful way to explore empathy with a child or a teen. As you read together, ask them questions about the characters' emotions, evaluate facial expressions, and use emotional words to discuss what is happening.
Savvy's Cyber 7 Safety Rules
Knowing the groundwork for internet safety can make things a lot easier for parents, and a lot safer for kids. Download our Cyber 7 Rules here!
Download Here
A Solution for (Almost) Every Struggle: Parenting Outside the B.O.C.S
The "Outside the B.O.C.S. Parenting Framework," exclusive to The Heartful Parent, is a simple and revolutionary way to approach virtually ANY parenting challenge from toddlerhood through the teenage years.
The framework provides parents and guardians a step-by-step plan to help you parent confidently and effectively no matter what your kids throw at you. Not only that, but it helps you find solutions that help you THRIVE as you move forward.
Download the this infographic by clicking on it and start using it today to guide your interactions with your children when they are challenging, misbehaving, or in struggle!
For lifetime access to a complete video training on how to use the framework click below!
Get Lifetime Access to Video Training Now
Talking to Children About Traumatic Events
After a traumatic or frightening event, like the insurrection at our nation’s Capitol building on January 6, takes place, it can feel overwhelming to know if—and how—to talk to our children.
The TALK SCARED framework provides parents and guardians a guide to help you have these conversations confidently and effectively, all while building connection.
Download the handout now and start using it today to guide your interactions with your children during these challenging, uncertain, and scary times.
Dowload Framework Here
Why Stranger Danger is a No-No
In the absence of knowing what to say, many parents find themselves stuck with "Stranger Danger" and "Good Touch/Bad Touch" as their limited safety tools. The concepts have long been a part of our common cultural lexicon around safety. The problem is they don't work and may put your child at greater risk for sexual abuse, while making it less likely they'll tell you. Find out why and what to say instead here!
Rocking The Talk
Unsure how to get the conversation started with your child(ren) about sex and sexuality? Confused about what age you should start by? Wishing you had more resources to get your questions answered? This handy resource sheet is a good way to get started!
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is the last thing most parents want to think about. But if we can't think about, and we can't talk about it - with our kids, with our partners, and with other parents - we can't prevent it. Click here for some help getting started.
Super 10 Safety Rules
Before children start kindergarten there are TEN safety rules they should all know. We bring these rules to you know in cooperation with our friends at Safely Ever After, Inc. Do your children need some more practice with any of these?
Does Your Tween or Teen Know the Elements of Consent?
To keep our children, and those around them, safe, it is critical that they understand CONSENT--what it is, what it means, how to ask for it, how to give or deny it, and what to do when the inevitable rejection happens.
To make explaining this to your tweens and teens easier, I give you OMEGAS! The final letter in the Greek alphabet, let's let the last letter be our first line of defense!
Download OMEGAS Here!
