Bee Well Specialist Wellness Counsellor

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We’re in week 37 of pregnancy. My body is slowing down big time 😂 and we are deep in the waiting game where things feel so slow yet so fast at the same time. It has been quite a mentally taxing season for me. Getting ready for a new baby with two very active and demanding toddlers. Attempting to buy our first home in the unrelenting Bay Area market. Navigating the unknown. It’s easy to get in my head. To want to worry or be antsy about the future. But, here’s your Monday reminder to kind to your mind. To give it a break and grace as often as you can. To be tender with yourself in all the different seasons you face. ❤️💛

"No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson offers practical strategies for disciplining children while fostering empathy, understanding, and emotional intelligence.

Here are 10 key lessons from the book:

1. Connect before you correct: Before addressing misbehavior, take the time to connect with your child emotionally. Establishing a strong parent-child relationship built on trust and understanding lays the foundation for effective discipline.

2. Understand the developing brain: Recognize that children's brains are still developing, and they may not always have the cognitive abilities to regulate their emotions or behaviors effectively. Understanding brain development can help parents respond to misbehavior with empathy and patience.

3. Use discipline as an opportunity for teaching and learning: Discipline should be about teaching children appropriate behavior and helping them learn from their mistakes, rather than simply punishing them for wrongdoing. Approach discipline as a constructive learning opportunity for both parent and child.

4. Set clear, consistent limits: Clearly communicate expectations and boundaries to your child, and be consistent in enforcing them. Consistency helps children understand what is expected of them and reduces confusion and frustration.

5. Embrace empathy: Practice empathy by acknowledging and validating your child's emotions, even when you disagree with their behavior. Empathy fosters emotional connection and helps children feel understood and supported.

6. Focus on solutions, not punishments: Instead of focusing solely on punishing children for their misbehavior, work together to find constructive solutions to problems. Encourage children to brainstorm ideas and take ownership of their actions.

7. Stay calm and regulated: Model emotional regulation by staying calm and composed when addressing misbehavior. Responding with anger or frustration can escalate conflicts and undermine the effectiveness of discipline.

8. Use redirection and distraction: Redirecting children's attention or offering alternative activities can be an effective way to prevent or diffuse conflicts. Provide engaging and age-appropriate alternatives to undesirable behaviors.

9. Encourage reflection and problem-solving: Help children develop self-awareness and problem-solving skills by encouraging them to reflect on their actions and consider the consequences of their behavior. Guide them in finding solutions that align with their values and goals.

10. Celebrate progress and effort: Recognize and praise your child's efforts and progress, even if they haven't achieved perfection. Positive reinforcement helps build confidence and motivation to continue learning and growing.

These lessons from "No-Drama Discipline" offer valuable insights and practical strategies for parents seeking to discipline their children in a way that promotes emotional connection, empathy, and positive behavior change.

Book: https://amzn.to/3HVMdpF

You can also get the AUDIO BOOK for FREE using the same link. Use the link to register for the AUDIO BOOK on Audible and start enjoying it.

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Tonight Dr Naomi Fisher and myself will be sharing the REACH principles that underpin our Art of Low Demand Parenting.

This was the first in our series of webinars on Low Demand Parenting and we have updated and expanded the webinar with lots of new illustrations and content to coincide with the launch of the book publication of our book in autumn this year.

I hope you can join us this evening.

For those who are unable to attend a recorded ticket option is available too.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-art-of-low-demand-parenting-activate-your-parenting-tickets-782173701597?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Helping young people understand how their brains work is not only empowering but also essential for mental well-being. By unraveling the mysteries of their minds, they gain valuable insights into handling emotions and thoughts, making daily challenges less confusing. This knowledge fosters self-awareness, normalizes common experiences, and encourages a compassionate approach to mental health (theirs and others!)

Picture a young person learning about their brain and realizing that a panic attack is not a sign of weakness but a natural response to stress. Understanding that the brain's "fight or flight" response can sometimes misfire and trigger intense physical sensations can make the experience feel less mysterious and frightening.

With this knowledge, the young person can start to understand the panic attack as a temporary and manageable reaction, rather than an overwhelming threat. This understanding can empower them to implement calming techniques, seek support, and ultimately make panic attacks feel less scary and more controllable.

Image Credit: Journey to Wellness

Working memory refers to the cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information needed for tasks such as reasoning, learning, and problem-solving. It involves the active maintenance of relevant information while simultaneously processing new input, providing a mental workspace for ongoing cognitive activities.

This looks like many things...
📝 Following Instructions
💗Safety and Safe Decisions
🧮 Math Problem Solving
📖 Reading Comprehension
✏️ Spelling and Writing
🎲 Playing Games
👂 Listening and Responding
🏫 Classroom Learning
🗂️ Organizing Thoughts

For more information on working memory and strategies to improve this area of EF skills, check out our resource: https://www.theottoolbox.com/how-to-improve-working-memory/

Harvard-trained parenting researcher: The most successful kids are ‘healthy strivers’—here’s what their parents always do