Wednesday, March 14, 2018

GPS Event: A Day with Dr. Laura Kastner on Calm Parenting, March 8 2018

On March 8, 2018, Glenbard Parent Series hosted Dr. Laura Kastner for three events: "Getting to Calm: Cool-Headed Strategies for Raising Independent 3- to 7-Year-Olds"; "Getting to Calm: Cool Headed Strategies for Parenting Tweens and Teens"; and "Calm Parenting for Tough Teen Topics: Healthy Relationships, Substance Use, Media Management and Worry"

Kastner is a clinical psychologist, author of several books on pediatric psychology and professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington.


Amy Crowley
Parents share takeaways from Calm Parenting workshops

The following are takeaways from individuals who attended a Day with Dr. Laura Kastner.

Glenbard West parent Amy Crowley share this takeaway from Calm Parenting for Teens: "A calm
parent is an approachable parent, and the presentation discussed parenting skills which help us to support and encourage our teen-agers in the face of challenges. Self-calming strategies can help us break the circular anxiety which escalates during parent-child discussions. The use of third-party information, such as news articles or research, can help us introduce conversations on timely topics and provide a neutral way to exchange ideas. And most importantly, emphasizing empathy and acceptance of our teens will always produce the most effective results, while we work toward eventual growth and change."

Anna Strati and Laura Kastner
Anna Strati, Glenbard coordinator for data and analysis, shared this takeaway from Cool-Headed Strategies for Raising Independent 3-7 Year Olds: "Dr. Kastner offered wonderful advice on how to reach a
calm state of mind when things get challenging. With her C.A.L.M. approach she advised parents to use breathing exercises to Cool down, to Assess their options, Listen with Empathy and here she noted that empathy doesn't mean to agree with the child but rather to validate their emotions, and to Make a wise-minded plan of action. If we understand where they are developmentally, we know they are doing the best they can."



Laura Kastner's web site HERE

Parent Map web site HERE


Parent Notes from Dr. Laura Kastner "Calm Parenting for Tough Teen Topics: Healthy Relationships, Substance Use, Media Management and Worry" 7:00 pm presentation at Glenbard West, March 8, 2018