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Neuqua Valley HS Students Share Mental Health Struggles with U.S. Surgeon General—It won't resolve 'core issues'

Neuqua Valley HS Students Share Mental Health Struggles with U.S. Surgeon General—It won't resolve 'core issues'

Thank you to Neuqua Valley High School (Naperville, Il) students for their honesty and vulnerability in sharing their mental health struggles in a virtual call with the U.S. Surgeon General attended by U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood. And while additional funds for more school counselors are absolutely needed, they

Boredom is Essential

Boredom is Essential

This opinion piece, A Packed Schedule Doesn’t Really ‘Enrich’ Your Child, by Dr. Shalini Shankar, professor of anthropology and Asian American studies at Northwestern University makes many excellent observations, including that “there are good reasons to give children time to be bored.” Ms. Shankar invites parents to pause “before

Our Kids Were Not Alright before the Pandemic. Renewal & Renovation.

Our Kids Were Not Alright before the Pandemic. Renewal & Renovation.

A Call for Renewal & Renovation I was honored to deliver an invitational mini keynote at the 2021 Illinois PTA Convention and Leadership Conference (virtual) on April 24, 2021, A Call for Renewal & Renovation. I reflect on the state of our youth and education system, inner and outer values and our

...a listening heart perceives meaning

...a listening heart perceives meaning

data-animation-override> “Eyes see only light, ears hear only sound, but a listening heart perceives meaning. ~Brother David Steindl-Rast” Positive Perspectives Podcast [April 17, 2020] I was thrilled to help kick off the Positive Perspectives Series along with Dr. Aaron Weiner, Director of Addiction at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, sharing some

Heart Talks ~ A Message from Julie Lythcott-Haims

Heart Talks ~ A Message from Julie Lythcott-Haims

Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously! came together for our Meet-Up last night for a conversation about our kids, parenting and pressures that affect us all. For this session, we read Julie Lythcott-Haims’ book, How to Raise An Adult.. What a great conversation about the parents we aspire to be and what

Keynote: 2020 IL PTA Convention

Community Events

Keynote: 2020 IL PTA Convention

Keynote Address Unrelenting Achievement Pressures: Facts, Fears and a Path toward Student Well-being I am thrilled to share and look forward to delivering the keynote address at the 118th lllinois PTA Convention & Leadership Conference on April 25, 2020 at the NIU Campus in Naperville, Il. Many thanks to the Illinois

The U.S. Educational System is not Sustainable

Just before the holidays, on a snowy, blustery cold day in Chicago, Peter Hostrawser of Disrupt Education invited me to come on his podcast to chat about On Balance Parenting, education, teaching and the state of our children’s well-being. Many thanks for the invitation and the rich conversation. I

Heart Talks Series ~ Meet-Up

Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously! Series Join us for our Heart Talks Series and Meet UP for a conversation about our kids, parenting and pressures that affect us all. All parents and caregivers are welcome and warmly invited. For our conversation we will draw on concepts in Julie Lythcott-Haims’ book, How

Community Events

Parenting from Our Quiet Center - A Heart Talks Workshop

Parenting from Our Quiet Center – A Heart Talks Workshop This Heart Talks workshop invites parents and caregivers to come together, settle into their quiet center, and from there make even wiser decisions as parents. You will leave with a clearer sense of your purpose, strengths, and intentions and how your

Colleges, Choices and Character

Colleges, Choices and Character

It’s that time of year. College applications and essays are being written and submitted. Students and parents are inundated with an overwhelming number of e-mails and informational brochures from colleges and universities. E-mails with catchy subject lines and four-color glossy brochures in inboxes and mailboxes. Information overload! University selection

The Opposite of Love is Control - My Podcast Interview

Positive Alternatives Podcast (November 1, 2019) Our interview with Dagmar Kauffman – Founder of On Balance Parenting, Collaborator, Peaceful Warrior, and Educator of Educators. We discuss how young people are losing out on the opportunity to grow and learn from their mistakes when parents step in and fix what may not

Heart Talks Series Events

Parenting from Our Quiet Center - A Heart Talks Workshop

Parenting from Our Quiet Center – A Heart Talks Workshop This Heart Talks workshop invites parents and caregivers to come together, settle into their quiet center, and from there make even wiser decisions as parents. You will leave with a clearer sense of your purpose, strengths, and intentions and how your

Community Events

Beyond Grades: Parenting for Kids' Success in Life

We invite you to vote for our SXSW EDU 2020 session proposal: “Beyond Grades: Parenting for Kids’ Success in Life” Starting today, Monday, August 5, the greater online community is invited to vote on our session idea through Friday, August 23. The community’s input will amount to 30% of

Study finds Students at High-Achieving Schools are at Greater Risk of Addiction

A 2017 research study led by Dr. Suniya S. Luthar, psychology professor at Arizona State University and professor emerita at Columbia University’s Teachers College, and others, present evidence that students in affluent communities who attend high-achieving schools are at significantly higher risk of substance misuse and addiction relative to

SXSW EDU 2020 - Join me in Austin!

Community Events

SXSW EDU 2020 - Join me in Austin!

I am honored and thrilled to share that I have been invited to serve on SXSW EDU 2020 Advisory Board. Mark your calendars for March 9-12, 2020 in Austin, TX. Are you interested in learning, discovering and connecting with educators, K-12 & higher education administrators, students, non-profit & government, business & industry leaders?

Community Events

Upcoming Heart Talks Conversation: May 21 Crazy Schools.Sane Boundaries.Thriving Children

Our final Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously! session is scheduled for May 21, 2019 from 7:00-8:30PM at the ALIVE Center. Our topic this month: Crazy Schools, Sane Boundaries, Thriving Children. How can we set sane boundaries in high-pressure, high-stakes school culture so our children can thrive? All parents/caregivers

Our Kids Carry a Hole in their Hearts

In a conversation with a friend about the recent college admissions fiasco, we talked about perfectionism. The fear of not being good enough is pervasive in our community and has left our kids feeling stressed, anxious and depressed.* Our kids look great on paper, and they carry a hole in

Heart Talks Series: April 16th - Setting Boundaries with our Children

This month’s Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously! session is scheduled for April 16, 2019 from 7:00-8:30PM at the ALIVE Center. Our topic in April: Setting Boundaries with our Children: An Act of Love and Pathway to Connection All parents/caregivers are invited! Get your free ticket here. Questions?

Heart Talks Series: March 19th - Taking Charge of our Electronic Devices

This month’s Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously! session is scheduled for March 19, 2019 from 7:00-8:30PM at the ALIVE Center. Our topic this month is how we and our kids can take charge of our electronic devices. Our topic in March: Taking Charge of our Electronics: From Living

Favorite Podcasts

A list of my favorite podcasts

Favorite Online Resources

Websites and Resources – All in one stack and in no particular order Parenting 1. Glenbard Parent Series 2. Grown and Flown 3. Family Action Network 4. Kids in the House – videos & tips 5. Let Them Grow Social Emotional Learning & Well-being 1. Authentic Connections (AC) 2. Center for Decision Research, University

Parenting Books

Favorite books: Parenting, Education, Research, Life! Favorite books ~Parenting * Vicki Abeles. Beyond Measure. * Lisa D’Amour. Untangled. * Michael Bradley. Yes, Your Teen is Crazy. * Robert Brooks & Sam Goldstein. Raising Resilient Children. * Tina Bryson & Dan Siegel. The Power of Showing Up. * Karen L. Cobrun & Madge L. Treeger. Letting Go. Parents’ Guide

Reclaiming Naperville Students' Humanity

Another school year is settling into a rhythm. Nearby, the middle school band has taken up practice, and depending on the direction of the wind, music drifts across the field to my study. Friday night lights at the high school down the street flood across the field to our house.

What Do Recess & Free Play Have to Do With Our Children's Mental Health?

What Do Recess & Free Play Have to Do With Our Children's Mental Health?

Kids Need Play and Recess. Their Mental Health May Depend On It. The above Education Week post, written by Michael J. Hynes, E.D., Superintendent of Schools for the Patchogue-Medford School District (Long Island, NY), is a call for action for communities to implement more recess and free (=self-directed) play

Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously!

Community Events

Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously!

On Balance Parenting and Artisan Clinical Associates present a new parenting series: Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously! We invite parents & caregivers to join us in monthly conversations about how to nurture and launch competent & resilient kids who live whole-hearted lives. Join us for our next conversation on Tuesday, October 16, 7: