8 Ways to Start the New School Year on a Positive Note
Here in the Pacific Northwest many schools start right after Labor Day. The end of summer always brings a mix of emotions. These can include anticipation, curiosity, and maybe even maybe even a touch of dread. As we transition from summer days to structured school days, here are eight ways to foster connection and establish routines to…
Strengthening Family and School Partnership at Sunnycrest Elementary
Kelley Schottle is the Principal at Sunnycrest Elementary in the Federal Way, WA, School District. In the summer of 2023, Schottle participated, along with half of her school staff, in the BELONG Partners workshop Rooted Relationships: Growing Equitable Classroom Communities workshop. After taking that workshop, Schottle was interested in other components of the BELONG Partners…
Co-Regulation is Not Just a Buzzword, and It Can Be Practiced by Everyone
Co-regulation may be the new parenting buzzword, but human beings have utilized co-regulation strategies since time immemorial. Ancestral knowledge teaches us that singing together in ceremony (which stimulates the vagal nerve), drumming (which stimulates both sides of the brain), and spending time in nature (which soothes our nervous systems) are all regulating practices. The strains…
Co-Regulation Supports Parents and Their Children
Have you ever been in a long line at the grocery store with your toddler on the brink of a tantrum? You are not alone. Our society teaches parents that children are meant to obey adults, which leaves parents feeling frustrated when their children are unable to obey due to big emotions. As we learn…
Engage Kids in Problem Solving
Family meetings are a powerful tool to build the life skills that we want our children to have. Holding family meetings helps children learn empathy, cooperation, mutual respect, and effective, solution-focused problem solving. The consistent practice of gathering as a family, giving and receiving compliments, and solving problems helps families run more smoothly and builds…
Relationship Tools You Can Use to Repair Mistakes and Maintain Connection with Your Child
Conflict is an inevitable part of life, and we often are not taught how to repair harm once it occurs, especially not with our children. It is vital for parents and caregivers to remain in healthy connection with their child after conflict occurs, and to model what an effective repair conversation looks like. This not…
Sound Discipline Working Moms
To celebrate International Women’s History Month and National Working Moms’ Day, we are featuring interviews with some amazing working moms here at Sound Discipline. Our Sound Discipline colleagues shared with us how they’ve attempted to balance working and parenting and also how working at Sound Discipline has impacted them as working moms. Stacy Lappin, Director…
Ideas for Celebrating the Season!
It was far from normal, and this school year marked the first time since 2018-2019 that most kids were in real classrooms, in person, together. So, when they leave their classrooms and say goodbye to their teachers this month, it will be truly transitional. Celebrating all that they accomplished this school year can help with…
Routines, Rituals & Traditions in Families
Routines provide consistency and predictability. They help our kids feel safe, and we as adults feel more organized and less chaotic. Specifics of routines tend to be unique to each family. Rituals and tradition provide comfort for kids and more than that, tend to be the foundation of our childhood memories as we grow. They…
For Healthier Kids, Flip the Script on Self-Care
One way to help kids who are struggling is to try flipping the script – talk less about self-care and more about care for others around us. Research shows that kindness towards others is more beneficial for mental and physical health than self-care. Active kindness: helping others, volunteering, being generous and consciously kind, results in…
