Join Us for Our Upcoming Virtual Foster Parent Training Event
Super Saturday! Join us Saturday, December 4th for Super Saturday: A virtual foster parent training event focused onNatural Strength Parenting™! Beech Acres Parenting Center invites all licensed foster parents to join us Saturday, December 4th for our next Virtual Foster Parent Training Conference! Over 75% of previous conference attendees found our content extremely relevant to their foster parent journey. The Need Has Never Been Greater There has never been a better time to consider foster care. The need for foster parents in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas is greater than ever. Make a real difference in your community by exploring, supporting, or becoming a foster parent! With over 1,800 kids in Hamilton County and 600 kids in Montgomery County needing safe and loving homes, the time to begin your foster care journey is now. Register Today! Register Today. Learn more about becoming a foster parent here. Call 513-233-4707, email FCtraining@beechacres.org, or visit https://beechacres.org/events/super-saturday-training-event/ to get registered today.
Squid Game: A Parent’s Guide
Squid Game: A Parent’s Guide Popular Netflix Show Squid Game Is The Hottest Thing on TV Right Now. Should Your Children Watch It? Squid Game is a Korean television show that became the biggest series launch ever for Netflix and has gotten a lot of attention since its release. You may have seen children dressed in the colorful uniforms of the participants of the titular game or in the garb of the masked enforcers this Halloween and wondered ‘what was that kid supposed to be?’. Social media and other outlets are flooded with clips, comments, memes, and other discussions about the show. It’s likely your child has encountered these memes and perhaps has even asked you to watch the show. Should they? Here’s what our parenting experts have to say. In a word, no. While the show is similar in theme and concept to the television show Survivor or the popular YA novel turned worldwide phenomenon The Hunger Games, Squid Game amps up the tension, gore, and explicit content. The show is violent and disturbing even for many adults. The premise of Squid Game is that vulnerable participants are recruited to compete in a game with the potential of huge financial rewards to help them erase their current financial debts. What they aren’t told is there are sinister consequences involved in losing the game. Familiar childhood playground games are utilized which may heighten the appeal for young children because they can relate to the games being played. Spoiler Alert Losing participants in Squid Game are killed for losing or not placing high enough in the contests. The games and rules are randomized so success in one contest does not necessarily equate to success in the next. Viewing Squid Game can lead to fear, anxiety, and inappropriate behaviors in children who do not have the brain development or emotional intelligence to understand the layered dynamics that are occurring throughout. Unfortunately, your child may be begging you to watch the show because their friends/peers have seen it and are all talking about it at school or online. The reality is that kids may have secretly watched the show already. Talk To Your Kids About Squid Game and Make an Informed Decision If you are considering allowing your child to watch The Squid Game, consider watching it first yourself. Ask yourself if the show fits within your family values. You may determine that the show is not a fit and will choose to “hold the line” by not allowing your child to watch. If you find that your child has already watched The Squid Game, lean in with them and talk about it. Open communication about the challenging messages the show sends and the disconnect with your family values can be impactful. Ask powerful questions about what they saw and what they thought about the content. Reinforce that this is fantasy content and should not inform their behavior on the playground, at home, in the classroom, or online. There have been reports of kids potentially reenacting The Squid Game contests with some inflicting violence on those who “lose”. This is unacceptable behavior and has led to schools banning costumes and intervening when necessary for the safety of the students. As you know, kids desperately want to fit in with their peers and this is currently one of the “cool” things to do. Encourage your child(ren) to practice responding to their peers when this topic comes up. Some kids may pretend to have seen it to fit in. It’s up to you and your child to determine these steps to manage peer pressure. You are your child’s first and best teacher. You have the most influence over their values and decision-making. Lean in and make an informed decision about The Squid Game that you think is best for you and your family. We’re Here For You Want to talk to a Parent Coach about The Squid Game or other parenting challenges? We are here for you and can schedule a meeting quickly and confidentially through a virtual connection and from the convenience of your own home. Contact us – www.beechacres.org.
Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner 2021
We recently celebrated our annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner. Every year we gather with the amazing parents who made the decision to open their hearts and their home to children in the community who needed a loving home. Foster parents enjoyed a relaxing evening, a formal dinner, awards, gifts of appreciation, and, of course, time to meet and mingle with other foster parents. We love our foster parents and truly appreciate them. It takes a special person to care for these children when they need it most and our incredible foster parents are always up for the challenge. There has never been a better time to consider foster care. The need for foster parents in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas is greater than ever. Make a real difference in your community by exploring, supporting, or becoming a foster parent! Not ready to explore fostering a child? You can still support our program with a one-time or monthly gift. Enjoy these photos from this spectacular event.
Building Strong Family Bonds
We all long for close, loving relationships with our children. By being intentional and mindful, we can build strong bonds with our kids at any age. Practice Empathy What is Empathy?Psychology Today defines empathy as “the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person…It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own.” ➢ When our children feel seen and heard, they feel better about themselves, can better regulate their emotions, and feel closer to us.➢ When we don’t acknowledge our child’s feelings, these feelings don’t go away. They are still there and kids feel alone rather than supported.➢ When we can allow space for our children to express and fully feel all of their emotions, the strong feelings can be handled by coaching your child to utilize self-regulation which is a life skill we want our kids to master.➢ When our children know we will respond with empathy, they are more likely to come to us for support. Keys to Building Strong Bonds Respond to your Child’s Needs: When your child is crying or calls for you, respond quickly, even if it is to let them know you heard them and that you are coming to them. Make Reunions Count: When you first see your child in the morning or after school, smile and give them your full attention for a few minutes. Take the time to say “good morning” or ask them about their day. Tell them how happy you are happy to see them. Connect through Physical Touch: Young children usually love to snuggle. As your kids get older, they still benefit from physical touch. Give your child hugs or a back rub if they are receptive. Spend TIME IN: Try to spend time with your child each day. Aim for at least 5 minutes of focused attention where your child is in charge of what you play or what you talk about. Create Rituals: Make some time to do enjoyable things together and try to do them regularly. Ideas- story time, family dinners, evening walks, movie nights, game nights, outings to your favorite places. Revisit Memories: Talk about past events such as vacations or holidays. Tell your child a story from when they were younger. Look at pictures together and reminisce. Say “I Love You”: Let your child know how much they mean to you often. Tell them how you feel verbally. You can also put it in writing—a card on their bed, a note on the bathroom mirror, a sweet message in their lunch box that will remind them they are loved.
Tips for Parents To Ease Concerns About Going to the Doctor
Medical appointments can be scary for children. With a little preparation, you can make the experience less stressful, even if they are getting a shot! Prepare Your Child in Advance Talk to your child about the importance of going to the doctor for check-ups and getting vaccines to help stay healthy. Use Play as a Tool Engage in medical play with your child to help them feel more comfortable with going to the doctor for appointments. Practice Calming Strategies Prep in advance for when your child needs a shot. Give them choices such as picking the arm to receive the shot, watching or looking away, would they like a distraction such as music or a video to watch? At the Appointment Debrief after the appointments. Young children may want to do medical play again while older kids might have some questions. This is a good time to plan any changes the doctor recommends, such as less screen time, increased activity, or more fruits and vegetables.
LGBTQ Youth and Bullying: How Might Life Be Different?
By Guest Blogger: Deanna Martin, LPCC, Senior Specialist, Center of Excellence Beech Acres Parenting Center LGBTQ Youth and Bullying While each of us is born to shine, there are places and spaces where LGBTQI+ youth do not feel safe to be fully who they are. Imagine you or a loved one not feeling safe to bring all that they are to your classroom, sports field, or home? What if that young one who felt so afraid was your child? The need to hide parts of oneself to belong takes a lot of mental, spiritual, psychological, and emotional energy. How Might Life Be Different? How might life be different for them if every adult, teacher, coach, and parent encouraged and modeled respect and approached them with curiosity and belief in their innate dignity and worth, creating safety for all? How might life be different if we loved unconditionally, with acceptance, and co-created communities of mutual support in which we are all able to grow, heal, learn, and explore in a place of freedom? The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) shows Nationwide in the United States that:• 32% of self-identified lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) high school students report having been bullied on school property• 26.6% LGB students versus 17.1% – 14.1% straight students report being cyberbullied• 13.5% LGB students versus 7.5% of straight students reported not going to school because of safety concerns.• 43% of transgender youth reported being bullied on school property.• 29% of transgender youth, 21% of gay and lesbian youth, and 22% of bisexual youth have attempted suicide.• Students “not sure” of their sexual identity reported being bullied on school property (26.9%), being cyberbullied (19.4%), and not going to school because of safety concerns (15.5%).As adults, we have the power to stand with or step away, to encourage light to shine or to extinguish it by not seeing our young people for all they are or not saying anything in the face of ridicule. Here are some tips for preventing bullying: Intentionally build relationships with youth by staying curious and open to hearing their experiences so they feel safe to share with you. Be unconditional in your love and support and make your allyship and support known. Educate yourself, ask questions and stay culturally humble. Model respect for all in the classroom, our homes, and on the sports field. *LGBTQI+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, nonbinary, or otherwise gender non-conforming For more information on how you can stop bullying, follow these links:https://www.hrc.org/news/new-cdc-data-shows-lgbtq-youth-are-more-likely-to-be-bullied-than-straight-cisgender-youthUnderstanding Gender: https://www.genderbread.org/resource/genderbread-person-v4-0-posterStop Bullying: https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/lgbtq LGBTQ Youth Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm
Citi of Northern Kentucky Provides Generous Support to The Character Effect™
Citibank of Northern Kentucky has been a valued partner and generous supporter of The Character Effect™ for the past two years. The organization has committed to supporting the program not only financially, but with their time and talent as well. To kick off the new school year, Citi wanted to make a big impact with their donation of over 800 backpacks to students in the Erlanger-Elsmere School District. This incredible donation along with their financial and social support helps these students be prepared to succeed and thrive. “Early childhood education has always been one of the key priorities where we feel that we can make the longest lasting impact in our region. We were very excited years ago to begin the partnership with Beech Acres and support The Character Effect™ program because we believe in the mission and we believe in the value of what it produces for not only for the students but their parents, guardians, and family and the staff of course thats helping implement and integrate this program,” Niki Lunsford, Vice President, Communication and Public Affairs, Citi. Along with the impressive donation of backpacks and school supplies, Niki Lunsford from Citi shared this heartfelt video message of gratitude on behalf of everyone at Citi to the teachers and staff at Erlanger Elsmere schools who have worked so hard amongst so much uncertainty the last two years to be present for their students and their families. Citi staff and Beech Acres staff partnered to deliver the backpacks and message to the schools to help kick the school year off with an overabundance of positivity. The teachers and administration were thrilled and overwhelmed with the generosity, but not as excited as the students were to receive awesome new backpacks. “Thank you, and thanks to Citi, for providing our staff and students with this incredible opportunity. I can’t tell you how nice it is to hear such a positive, supportive, and heartfelt thanks from Citi. Thank you, and Citi, for your partnership!” Chad D. Molley, Superintendent, Erlanger-Elsmere Schools. Learn more about The Character Effect™, our unique social and emotional learning program, and find out how, together with partners like Citi, we are helping build resilient students through a focus on their unique strengths and the power of positive psychology.
Beech Acres Parenting Center FY2021 Annual Report
Our FY2021 Annual Report is now available to download here. Thank you to all of our generous donors who make this important work possible. Consider making a donation to support our efforts this year.
The Empathy and Compassion Connection
To help you stay calm when your child has challenging emotions and behaviors, remember that “wants” feel like “needs” to children. Their brains are still developing! Here are some tips from our Parent Connext™ experts to help you communicate with empathy and compassion. Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone, without really understanding their experience. Empathy is understanding and sharing the feelings of another. Compassion is the feeling of wanting to help someone who is hurting. Empathy and compassion lead to connection. Connecting with your child helps them better manage their feelings and behaviors. Communicating With Empathy and Compassion It looks like you are really sad right now. Is there something I can do to help, or might you just need some space? I understand that it is hard to stop playing with your tablet when it is time for bed. I love your strength of curiosity. Would you like to try some deep breaths? It seems like you feel frustrated about your dinner choices. It can be tricky to make healthy choices sometimes. I get a sense that school was really tiring for you today. Would you like to talk about it, or maybe a few minutes to rest would be helpful? I wonder if you’re feeling really sad because Maggie can’t play right now. Would time with your stuffed animal be helpful? I know you are really excited for Sam’s birthday party! I’m excited for you, too. How might you use some of this energy in a creative way? Download this and keep handy for communicating with empathy and compassion.
