Dagmar Speaks

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

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

In her invitational 2021 IL PTA Convention mini keynote, A Call for Renewal & Renovation, On Balance Parenting's founder, Dagmar Kauffman, reflects on the state of our youth and education system before the pandemic. An encouragement to examine our inner and outer values and our culture's definition of success. A call to focus on human-centered, personalized, student-directed learning so all children and communities may thrive instead of returning to ‘normal’.

Heart Talks ~ A Message from Julie Lythcott-Haims

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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 stands in our way. We talked about the need to Reclaim Your Self (Chapter 21) and the simple scripts in Chapter 22, Be The Parent You Want To Be, that help us with parenting differently from our community. Examples include scripts for situations, we all recognized. For example, when you don’t want another parent to drive your child because you want her to walk, bike or take public transportation; or when you no longer wish to serve as your child’s personal concierge; or when you have no interest in chatting about your daughter’s college or career interests or potential with your neighbor and friends.

What a rich conversation with everyone engaged and as a surprise for our Heart Talks community, Julie Lythcott-Haims sent this video routing us on to be the best parent we can be. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, Julie!

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 PTA for the invitation to speak and making student well-being a top priority!

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 to Raise An Adult.
Heart Talks Meet-Up will be facilitated by Dagmar Kauffman of On Balance Parenting.


Date: March 3, 2020

Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Ticket: Free event. Registration REQUIRED.

Get your ticket here.

Location: 424 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville, Il (private residence)

Questions? Please contact dagmar@onbalanceparenting.org

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 truest self can transform your parenting.

Co-hosted by Dagmar Kauffman of On Balance Parenting and Dr. Kelly Flanagan of Artisan Clinical Associates.

Date: Saturday, April, 18, 2020

Time: 9:00-12 Noon

Ticket: $45 pp—includes workshop and light breakfast

Get your ticket here

Location: 424 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, Il 60540

Questions? Please contact dagmar@onbalanceparenting.org

The Opposite of Love is Control - My Podcast Interview

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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 really be broken.

Last week I was honored to be interviewed Doug Petit of Positive Alternatives Podcast. My heart-felt thanks for Doug’s sincere curiosity, deep listening, and mindful questions. It is such a gift.