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Beech Acres

March 13, 2023

White graphic with a thermometer icon about Feelings
Natural Strength Parenting™, Parents

Natural Strength Parenting™ Feelings Thermometer

Temperature Check Every day we have a variety of feelings. Sometimes they are strong, and we feel them fully. Other times, we barely notice them. Many times, we have more than one feeling at once. Learning to identify and talk about our feelings can help others understand our wants and needs. This makes us great problem solvers. Let’s get intentional about talking about our emotions! Family Follow Up Intentional talk about feelings helps us understand each other. All feelings are important. It is how we manage our feelings that is helpful or hurtful. Naming feelings can help us release emotions rather than holding emotions in. This creates better communication, understanding, and problem-solving. Try This Use this tool to help your child explore and talk about feelings every day this week. Download this activity to gauge the strength of your child’s feelings.

Pink and orange intentional icon with a hand holding a heart
Natural Strength Parenting™, Parenting, Parenting Tips, Parents

Brain Connection

The brain is a powerful tool. Using Mindful and Strength-based practices is an intentional way to keep the brain connected and working in harmony. How does your brain help you? When all the parts of the brain work in harmony, emotions, and behaviors are expressed in helpful ways, let’s use the hand to show how this is done. DOWNSTAIRS BRAIN-AMYGDALA • Alarm center of our big emotions like anger, fear and frustration• Senses danger• Interprets the world throughfive senses• Triggers Flight, Fight, and Freeze UPSTAIRS BRAIN – PREFRONTAL CORTEX • Protects Amygdala• Allows good choices • Allows clear thinking • Manages emotions• Helps you ask for help “FLIPPING OUR LID” • The downstairs brain and the upstairs brain aren’t working together• Can’t think clearly• Not managing emotions well CONNECTED BRAIN • Brain working together in harmony • Making wise decisions• Using feelings and thinking clearly Try This The next time you start to feel worried, angry, stressed, scared or overwhelmed, say, “I’m about to ‘flip my lid’, I need a break.” Knowing when you are about to “flip your lid” allows you to reconnect the brain by using coping strategies. Once you are calm, you can talk about your feelings and needs. Download this activity and get started today!

What's On Your Plate? graphic with an image of a plate on a blue tablecloth
Natural Strength Parenting™, Parenting Tips

What’s On Your Plate?

Parents Are Busy Parents lie you are busy. Really busy. Sometimes it can be difficult to be intentional about your parenting. The “What’s on Your Plate?” activity provides a visual way to conceptualize all of the things that fill up your life and helps you find ways to be more intentional about the things you want to fill up your life. Download the activity here and get started today. How To Use This Activity Use the front of the plate to show all the things that fill up your life. Then, like a pie, draw slices representing areas of your life. Some “slices” will be bigger and some smaller, depending on how much of your life they fill. Some examples you might choose are below – be sure to add your own.• Fun/personal enjoyment: family fun, time with friends, attending church, hobbies, volunteer activities• Home/family: house chores, parenting, managing family schedules, paying bills• Work: work activities, commute time, training or educational activities Once you’ve finished filling in your plate, take a moment to look at it and reflect on what you see. Ask yourself:• What activities do I want more of? • What activities do I want less of? Flip It Over Now use this side of the plate to show the things and people that support you in your life. Consider the areas of life you have listed on the front side. Who or what supports that area of your plate? How do you take care of yourself? Some examples you might choose are below – be sure to add your own:• Time with family or friends• Being outdoors• Playing games• Other hobbies such as puzzles or crafts Now, take one more look at your plate. Ask yourself:• What stood out to you as you completed your plate?• What “slices” of your plate would you like to explore further? • What would happen if you changed your plate? Activities like this can help you prioritize things in your life to help you lead more of the life you envision. Ready to go further with your parenting? Why not schedule a parent coaching session with one of our Parenting Specialists today?

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