Parent Talks, Conference Keynotes & School Staff Workshops

WHAT ABOUT BOYS?

What struggles are boys up against today? How can we raise them to be strong, yet sensitive and compassionate, too? Learn some specific strategies for listening to and communicating with our sons.

FACE TO FACE: CULTIVATING KIDS’ SOCIAL LIVES IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD

This is the talk you’ll want to select if you are at all concerned about the amount of time kids are spending with screens! Dr. Kathy covers everything from brain science to what research tells us about what kids REALLY need in order to grow to be capable, compassionate citizens of the world.

FACING DOWN GENDER STEREOTYPING TO RAISE EMPOWERED, AUTHENTIC CHILDREN

It’s no secret that gender stereotypes run deep. They are embedded in most families, schools, neighborhoods, and places of worship. Even in 21st century America, many people still believe women and girls should behave in a particular way whereas men and boys should behave in another. During this talk, Dr. Kathy explores gender stereotypes and what parents and educators can do to help children cultivate and embrace their authenticity, no matter what that looks like.

COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION

Compassionate Communication is a powerful tool for creating trust, respect and cooperation in your relationships. Learn how feelings and needs are at the core of all human behavior and how to connect with empathy to others, no matter what their behaviors look like.

SIMPLICITY PARENTING

During this presentation, Dr. Masarie will help you to address your home environment (stuff), schedule, and family rhythm, and to learn about the power of filtering out the adult world for your children in order to raise calmer, happier and more secure kids.

CELEBRATING COMING OF AGE

Learn how to plan a Coming of Age Celebration for your budding teen to avoid the unhealthy “rites of passage” they might choose on their own. We will share the critical components of a Coming of Age program and examples to use in your congregation, school or family.

RAISING OUR DAUGHTERS AND SONS TAKES A VILLAGE

As our culture pulls families apart and emphasizes “being cool,” you need a force to keep your family connected. You can create that force by building a village of people who care. Through this presentation, you’ll learn ways to foster the connections, honesty, and trust that enable you to build a village where your family will thrive.

COURAGE TO BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE

Do you have the courage to foster resilience in your kids, when the culture is telling you to rescue and prop them up? Do you have the courage to be truly compassionate not only to others, but to yourself, too? Learn how to model authenticity, honesty, self-care in order to empower your kids.

STOP THE BULLYING: WHY CAN’T OUR KIDS JUST GET ALONG?

What are the social dynamics in our culture today that lead to bullying and peer aggression? Learn about the research, how to reduce bullying in schools, effective incident intervention, using compassionate communication to foster empathy, and how to empower bystanders and targets.

PARENTING WITH THE ENNEAGRAM

The ancient practice of enneagram, understanding the nine personality types, can give you a whole new viewpoint of yourself and your loved ones. By understanding the deep tendencies we were born with, we can gain insight into why we do what we do.

ADDRESSING VERBAL BULLYING AND RELATIONAL AGGRESSION

Teasing, name-calling, gossip, exclusion, silent treatment–verbal bullying and relational aggression can break a child’s life. Get an in-depth look at verbal bullying and relational aggression, its impact on children, and ways individual parents, school personnel, counselors, youth workers, and healthcare professionals can address the problem. Full and half-day workshops are available and will cover an overview of the research, a look at precipitating factors, and a discussion of a framework that can be implemented to create a safe all-school social environment.

Choose from the topics below for a 2-, 4- or 6-hour workshop.

• Introductory talk (2 hrs.) – Overview of the research, anti-bully components, high-risk groups, empowering the bystander, and the all-school approach.
• Compassionate Communication (1 hr.) – Learn about this invaluable tool that will teach empathy and respect, the cornerstone of a safe, caring social climate.
• Anti-bully Components (1 hr.) – Focus on policy, behavior grid blue-print of consequences, reporting system, restorative justice.
• High-risk groups (1 hr.) – Discussion of empowerment, support groups for kids who frequently aggress or are marginalized.
• Prevention: Reaching Everyone (1 hr.) – Explore Steps to Respect, classroom meetings, Peace table, report box. Includes empowering bystanders.
• All-school approach (1 hr.) – Examination of task force, board support, survey, components of a safe all-school social climate.

COMMUNICATION FOR UNDERSTANDING AND CONNECTION

Compassionate communication is a powerful tool. It can give you the life you long for, one based on open communication, trust, respect and cooperation. It allows you to connect with others as well as yourself, no matter what the behavior look like. This creates a calmness and clarity that nurtures relationships and fosters a healthy, vibrant life. This workshop is based on Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s model of communication outlined in Non-violent Communication. The following topics will be featured and, depending upon the length of the workshop, discussed in depth.

Choose from the topics below for a 2-,4-, or 6-hour workshop.

• Overview of the Compassionate Communication Model (2 hrs.)– Learn skills to improve your relationships, whether your aim is to diffuse conflict, increase
  cooperation, learn leadership or create harmony.
• The Power of Needs (1 hr.) — Discover the tremendous power of understanding the values or needs behind all behavior.
• Empathy (1 hr.) — Empathy allows us to connect deeply with ourselves and others and to be authentic. Empathy allows us to forgive, heal, and to become empowered.
• Anger (1 hr.) — Learning to use anger productively is a key life skill essential for safe, respectful and effective conflict resolution.
• Gratitude (1 hr.) — Gratitude focuses our consciousness on the ways we can freely give and receive in the service of meeting our needs.