Teaching Topics & Recent LABs
Ross VALLEY NURSERY SCHOOL Online LAB
10/15/2020 6pm
Letting Go and Holding On Tight: A simpler roadmap for raising preschoolers when you are overwhelmed, over functioning or just plain over-parenting
What do I absolutely need to say and when am I just over-talking? What can I afford to let go of when so much seems urgent? How can I find compassion for my kids while also holding them accountable? In a world where something’s gotta give for every parent, Polly Ely, MFT, founder of Parent School, illuminates a comforting path towards letting go of a lot, while holding on to what counts... during a pandemic.
Parenting at the Crossroads Series, in partnership with Mount Tam School
On any given day, parents find themselves at hundreds of crossroads – competing values, competing needs and caution signs everywhere… Longing for relief from the decision fatigue she felt in her own parenting, Polly made a decision tree based on attachment science, clinical research, and her unwavering belief that excessive free floating stress was far more dangerous to her family than the myriad of things she was told to watch out for. Her goal for herself, her family, and for the parents she teaches today is how to stay in the lead while staying relaxed. Polly gives turn-by-turn permission to let go of the things that don’t matter so that we can anchor ourselves to the things that truly do (and the wisdom to know the difference). (This was a private series held in partnership with the Mount Tamalpais School)
Meet the Moment Series, in partnership with Town School for Boys
This series was designed to bring tactical, practical and emotional support to Town families. This ‘Meet the Moment’ series aims to help parents adjust to and deal with the most pressing matters and complicated moments showing up for kids and parents during this phase of the pandemic era. Each event will feature 30 min of Polly’s teachings plus 30 min of answers to pressing parent questions pertaining to the ever-changing child behaviors (and parent reactions to those behaviors) born out of the pandemic. (This was a private series held in partnership with the Town School for Boys)
RELAXED LEADERSHIP
Do you hold the reins so tight that that your kid is always trying to buck your authority? Are you stuck in constant negotiations? Do you become fearful of losing your power and get reactive? Do you get overwhelmed and become overly permissive when your kid tries to take the reins?
The balance between being loving and being in charge can be struck! What's the secret for keeping your head and staying connected with your kid WHILE you hold firm boundaries in place? Find out how to become "a calm captain" in this leadership essentials workshop.
This will be a super-charged deep study of becoming an unflappable, peaceful and boundaried leader of your kids. If things aren't quite clicking along smoothly yet, and your kids aren't yet in the flow (or maybe you aren't either), head into this LAB series to refine your peaceful parent game.
*This Parent School series will have a customized curriculum of Polly-crafted material designed to meet you right where you are as a parent and help you be at-ease as you lead.
Stay tuned for Fall 2020 Online Schedule
LAB held recently at Neil Cummins Elementary and The Cove School
SIBLINGS: TRANSFORMING RIVALRY TO REVERIE
What can I do to promote a strong bond between my kids? Their fighting creates so much tension and upset at home. What can I do to help their relationship thrive? How can I help them build a safe connection? What is my role when they are fighting? Polly will answer these questions and show you a productive road to cultivating a peaceful home.
This workshop offers transformative practices that help parents lead their kids towards becoming a team. Here is the straight talk and practical guidance to transform relationships between siblings.
LAB most recently sponsored by The Southern Marin Mother’s Club
LEAN OUT LEADERSHIP
Learn how to lean out & relax in moments of tension, instead of engaging with threats and yelling. Holding boundaries while relaxing can be your new “move” that will change the way your kids respond to you when you need to hold them accountable.
Anyone can learn how to steer the family ship without using "power-over" and shame tactics. This workshop is a game-changer for parents who are exhausted by their kids’ power games.
TEENS - THE BIG PIVOT: WHAT'S MY ROLE NOW THAT MY KID IS NO LONGER A KID?
Wait, what am I supposed to be teaching them? How much help is too much help? Why does it seem like they’ve forgotten everything I taught them and have suddenly lost their common sense? How do I create an alliance with my teens so they feel that I am rooting for them rather than saving them, criticizing them or insulting them? Free yourself, parents, and get to this LAB so you can learn what to focus on and what to let go of as your kid crosses over into adolescence.
Get an easy-to-follow roadmap that will strengthen your relationship with your adolescent and help them become the competent and autonomous human they're meant to be. If your kids are 11 or up, this series will relax you and clarify your new job.
EMOTIONS AND ANXIETY
Learn what “to do” about your kid’s emotions that could save your life and theirs. If you have a sensitive, anxious or reactive child that “doesn’t want to talk about” their stormy moods, then this is the workshop for you. Find out how you can navigate feelings to prevent depression, chronic anxiety and addiction.
GETTING UNSTUCK WITH LITTLE ONES
Polly teaches tricks that are massively stress reducing and immediately effective. Her methods completely change the dynamic between parents and kids so that you feel whole and preserved at the end of a tough day, rather than threaded and shredded by the parent experience.
LAB held recently at Ross Valley Nursery School
THE DAD LAB
What do my kids need more than anything else from me? Is there anything I can communicate to them today that will completely change the course of their lives?
Dads, this workshop is where you can learn powerful information about how to connect with your kids, ask anything, and get answers that may change your kids' life as well as your own.
THE ATTACHMENT LAB
Learn a natural approach to soothing an anxious child. Find out the very simple, concrete things you can do to raise a secure person and grow a lasting, sturdy, bond with your kids while soothing them in the moments they feel anxious, flooded with emotion or totally stuck in their lives.
Tech LABs
ONLINE SAFETY: RELATIONSHIPS & DEVICES
How do we create agreements around technology that aren’t punitive and divisive? What are the boundaries and how do we talk about them so doors aren’t constantly slamming and devices aren’t being angrily yanked away? How do I keep my kid as safe as possible? Find out in this 90 minute workshop.
THE HOUSE THAT TECH BUILT: STAYING ATTACHED WITH TECH ALL AROUND
Technology doesn't have to divide you and your kids. It can actually bring you closer. Learn how to cultivate trust and raise accountability around screen time at home while building closeness. Learn how to design clear boundaries around phone time that serves your relationship and are easy to implement.
TECH LAB: CONNECTING TO YOUR VALUES, BOUNDARIES & AGREEMENTS BEFORE CONNECTING TO DEVICES
How much tech is too much? How do I protect them from harm? How do I protect our relationship? What will our agreements be around technology? How do we maintain them as parents? My kid is so preoccupied with getting a show or playing a game on my phone. How do I set up a life that isn’t a constant negotiation around tech use?
Emotion Regulation LABs
HOLY SHIFT! THE MAGIC & SCIENCE OF FINDING YOUR COOL WHEN YOU'VE LOST IT
This series is for parents who want to practice what they preach, enjoy their parenting more, and lose their cool less. We'll go in depth on how to regulate your own big emotions and reactivity, offering you tools and strategies to help you be a grounded, safe, and relaxed leader.
Soothing and diffusing anger immediately
Detecting overwhelm & finding ground
Communicating in tense moments
Low intensity leadership: getting them to listen without getting LOUD
The post anger fall-out: reflecting and repairing
The art of self care: Taking off your "parent hat" (and feeling good about it)