NEDERLAND - In our close-knit community, we share the goal of raising resilient children. Our collective experiences and the knowledge from neuroscience remind us that children thrive when they feel seen, soothed, safe, and secure with caring adults. As parents, our responses to our children's emotions are pivotal in shaping their emotional and social well-being. We are in this together, learning and growing as a community, and our shared experiences make us uniquely equipped to support each other. 

On October 1 at Nederland Elementary School, Mountain Strong Families explored the importance of parents’ nurturing themselves to better nurture their children. They emphasized that self-care is critical to breaking reactive parenting patterns. 

Understanding the origins of these reactions often involves reflecting on our childhood experiences. Dr. Dan Siegel emphasizes that making sense of our early life experiences helps break unhealthy cycles and rewires the brain for healthier parenting. 

During the session, parents were equipped with practical techniques to manage stressful parenting moments. The “Stop, Drop, and Breathe” method, a simple yet powerful tool, encourages parents to pause when they feel reactive, drop their immediate agenda to avoid power struggles, and use breathing exercises to regain calm. These straightforward strategies, while not complex, can be incredibly effective in helping parents shift from reacting to responding with empathy, empowering them to handle challenging situations effectively. 

In addition to immediate calming strategies, parents explored more profound work on healing childhood wounds that can surface in our reactions to our children. Parents were encouraged to reflect on their own “emotional backpacks” – feelings of hurt, rejection, or fear carried since childhood that can influence how they respond to their children’s behaviors. Parents brainstormed ways to incorporate physical activity, sleep, creativity, and emotional health into their lives. 

As parents, when we’re running on empty it’s difficult to respond to our kids with the patience and empathy they need. This is why making time for self-care is so crucial. Whether it's taking a few minutes to breathe, going for a walk, or asking for help, these small acts of self-care are not indulgences, but essential for recharging our emotional batteries.

The recent public health advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General underscores this, warning of a growing mental health crisis among parents. By prioritizing our well-being, we show our children the importance of self-care and become better, more present parents.

Remember, self-care does not have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. It can be as simple as locking the bathroom door for a few minutes of quiet, going for a walk, reading a book, or letting the laundry wait while you nap. 

The U.S. Surgeon General’s message validates the pressures we all feel as parents and encourages us to prioritize our well-being. So, if you’ve been putting yourself on the back burner, now’s the time to make a change – for you and your family. You have the power to make these small yet significant changes in your life. 

TEENS, Inc., a local organization dedicated to supporting families, will host their next Mountain Strong Families event on Thursday, November 7. This event is a valuable opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn and grow in their parenting journey. You can register for dinner, childcare, and the class by contacting betsy@teensinc.org. Together, we are fostering a community of strong, emotionally resilient families, and this event is a significant step in that direction.