After a rejuvenating winter break, families in the Mountain Strong Families community reconvened to discuss a pivotal aspect of parenting: empathy and communication skills. The knowledgeable Chrissy Quinlan led the session, which gave parents practical tools to nurture their children’s understanding of emotions and enhance their capacity to relate to others.

The evening began with a heartwarming free family dinner, setting the stage for an enriching experience. Children bid farewell to their parents, immersing themselves in an evening of crafting, reading, and games under the supervision of a highly qualified childcare staff. Meanwhile, parents and caregivers gathered in the Kiva at Nederland Elementary School to explore the intricacies of empathy and communication, focusing on teaching empathetic social skills through healthy communication.

A reflective journey began with a flashback to the previous session, emphasizing the significance of emotion coaching. Attendees revisited practices such as emotion check-ins, expanding emotion word vocabularies, and creating calming areas at home for effective regulation strategies. The challenges of implementing these skills were openly discussed, fostering a shared experience among caregivers.

The session addressed the familiar ineffective communication cycle when children grapple with intense emotions. Through a self-reflective exercise, attendees journaled about their communication strengths and identified areas for growth. This exercise provided a valuable opportunity for introspection, acknowledging the complexities of communication in parenting.

Scientific evidence underscored the importance of validation in positively influencing children’s emotional regulation and empathy development. Practical exercises were incorporated to guide parents in mastering the art of validating statements, offering a deeper understanding of the science behind this empathetic approach. Empathetic listening emerged as a central theme, with participants engaging in activities to refine their skills, fostering a more profound connection with their children.

Quinlan highlighted the significance of assertiveness as a protective shield against feelings of powerlessness. Parents were actively involved in learning how to empower their children to express themselves confidently while respecting the perspectives of others. The session emphasized integrating assertive communication skills into everyday activities. This helps strengthen the parent-child bond.

Parents were encouraged to set intentions for the month ahead, committing to practice empathetic and assertive communication in their daily interactions with their children. The event concluded joyously, with surprise gifts in appreciation of attendees.

TEENS, Inc., the host of Mountain Strong Families, continues to be a beacon of support for the community, providing a nurturing environment for parents to learn and grow together. The series persists in its mission to empower parents and caregivers with valuable insights and practical tools for navigating the challenges of parenting.

In the spirit of communal growth, Mountain Strong Families remains dedicated to fostering strong connections and providing ongoing support for parents and caregivers along their journey.

As the series continues, Mountain Strong Families invites all parents and caregivers in the community to the next session on February 20, scheduled from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. at Nederland Elementary School.

The upcoming session will focus on ensuring a child’s confidence and self-worth. Interested participants can register at teensinc.org or contact Betsy Epp at betsy@teensinc.org.