If you haven’t already, listen to the podcast now:

      

. . . . . . . . . .

The Raising Boys & Girls podcast is bringing you expert insight and encouragement to help you have an INTENTIONAL SUMMER! Join Sissy Goff and David Thomas this week as they share what kids need most right now and how parents can intentionally meet those needs (and their own) this summer.

Helpful Insights from the Episode

Kids need connection.

Kids need real connection that involves play and enjoyment.

This has been quite a year! Extend grace to yourself and your kids.  David Thomas

Kids need connection with their peers. 

Our kids have experienced loss in all kinds of ways in the past year. Give them space to talk about it.

What is your best entry point with each of your kids to connect around their interests?

. . . . . . . . . .

Kids need coping skills.

Anxiety rates have risen to 1 in 3 kids in the past year.

Anxiety is giving way to depression.

Anxiety

• Breathing – 20 seconds of deep breathing resets the amygdala (fight or flight).
• Grounding techniques – sensory related, requires focus
• Name the worry – this reduces its power

Ask your kids regularly this summer: What’s one brave thing you’ve done recently?

They need to be practicing BRAVE!

Anger

• Give kids space to self-regulate

Sadness

• Connection will ward off sadness
• Use a feelings chart and invite kids to talk about their emotions

. . . . . . . . . .

Depression is often anger turned inward. Kids need to talk about their feelings. Sissy Goff

. . . . . . . . . .

Trust your gut. If you feel at all concerned about your child’s emotional well-being, get them help!

. . . . . . . . . .

Kids need stability.

Especially post-pandemic . . . kids need you to steady the ship!

Make sure you are managing your own anxiety.

Your need for control is often an indicator of your own anxiety.

We need to pay very close attention to what we are saying to our kids and around our kids about the news.

There is a difference between facts and fears. 

You need to process your feelings but do it with a trusted friend so you don’t unload it on your children.

We know that when a baby cries, that is their way of signaling to their caregivers that they need something. When we meet that need, we build trust.

As adults, we need to learn how to recognize and meet our own needs which builds trust within ourselves.

. . . . . . . . . .

Ask yourself daily:

What do I need?

What can I do?

. . . . . . . . . .

Kids need hope.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. Proverbs 13:12 NKJV

. . . . . . . . . .

And we also have joy with our troubles because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. Romans 5:4 ICB

. . . . . . . . . .

Kids rebound in hope much more quickly than adults do.

There is a lot of good happening in kids right now. They are developing resilience because of this season.

. . . . . . . . . .

Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Do you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Isaiah 43:19 MSG

. . . . . . . . . .

We need to stay anchored to hope.

What kids need most right now:

• Connection
• Coping Skills
• Stability
• Hope

. . . . . . . . . .

4 Intentional Practices:

1. Think of three trusted people you can reach out to when you need support.
2. Write down 15 coping skills you can practice when you struggle.
3. Choose your battles. Let the bottom 20% go.
4. Play with your kids!

. . . . . . . . . .

Hopetown Prayer

Good morning, Lord, this is Your day.

I am Your child, show me the way.

We woke up this morning ready to serve.

We are Your men, Lord, give us the nerve.

Lord, we are here to laugh and to play.

We are Your daughters, beside You we’ll stay.

The day is new like You made us.

We’re in our boats, in You we trust.

We paddle and float amongst the waves.

You’re here in our boats, in You we praise.

Hello dear God, I feel alive.

Let’s take on this day, side by side.

. . . . . . . . . .

Download a PDF printable of this Hopetown Prayer!