123PSK: Parenting Survival Kit
Introduction
Parenting is truly a wonderful adventure that often presents multiple challenges and obstacles. The following series of conferences are aimed at helping parents navigate the stressors of parenting; think of it as a parenting survival kit. The tools and strategies presented will help parents identify problems, improve communication skills, and strengthen their relationship with their children. The goal is for parents to have the resources to enjoy the wonderful aspects of parenthood and help them raise happy and healthy kids.
“Chatter, Tantrums & Silence”: Communicating with Kids & Teens
Why is it so hard for kids to talk to us?
Why do they give us blank stares, roll their eyes, or simply not say anything?
The goal of this conference is for parents to identify and avoid common mistakes that result in breakdowns in communication and reduce the frustration parents often experience when talking with their children. Parents will learn how to improve everyday communication with their children.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Understanding and Nurturing the Self-Esteem of Children”
How do we help our children have a healthy and positive self-esteem?
Why is my child struggling with self-esteem issues?
The aim is to explore the relationship between children’s self-esteem and parenting. The discussion will focus on definitions of self-esteem and the importance of healthy self-esteem. Parents will learn strategies to help empower their children and become allies in the development of healthy self-esteem.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“I am SO Stressed! Helping Our Kids Manage Anxiety”
Is my child struggling with anxiety?
How can I be supportive and help him/her cope with anxiety?
Parents and children are often stressed with the demands of everyday life. Parents can help children reduce their anxiety levels and understand the impact of anxiety on their emotional development. The conference aims to help parents identify the symptoms of anxiety; as well as implement helpful tools to manage children’s anxiety.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, teens, young adults.
“Helping Our Kids Heal from Depression”
Is my child depressed?
My child has struggled with depression, how can I help?
“Depression” is often a scary word for parents and when a child is experiencing depression, parents often feel confused and lost on how to help. The content is designed to teach parents to identify physical and emotional symptoms of depression in their children. It is also important that parents know how to be supportive and aid in their child’s recovery from depression.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, teens, young adults.
“Coach or Cheerleader? Parents & Sports”
Are you cheering or coaching from the sidelines?
Are you encouraging or discouraging your children during sports?
The conference’s content focuses on helping your child manage the frustrations and challenges that are associated with playing sports. What is the role of a parent in a child’s sport-related activities?
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Stop Bullying: Creating a Bully-Free Zone”
Is my child being bullied?
My child has had problems with bullying, how can I help?
The conference aims at helping parents understand bullying and its emotional impact. The discussion will cover an explanation of different types of bullying and children’s responses to bullying. Parents will also learn about the signs of bullying and strategies to deal with the problem.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Effective Discipline Strategies for Parents”
Why does he/she not listen to me?
Why am I always yelling?
One of the most frustrating aspects of parenting! Discipline implementation can be an exhausting process and create major conflict in the home. Parenting often involves having to make difficult decisions in terms of discipline to create an environment of respect and order in our homes. This conference focuses on helping parents understand the effectiveness of various discipline strategies.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
* This conference can be divided into two age groups: young children and pre-teens/teens.
“Put that phone away! Electronics and our Kids.”
How do I get them to do something else?
How do I know what they are doing online?
Ohhh, the fights we have with our children over electronic use! The goal is to provide tools for parents to monitor the use of electronics as well as the supervision of content on electronic devices. Parents will learn about current available technology and tips for keeping children safe in cyberspace.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Balancing Work and Family”
How do I find time for everything?
Why am I exhausted all the time?
The eternal juggling act! What is a healthy balance for you and your family? Why do we experience so much guilt over this issue? The aim of this conference is to explore a topic that for most working parents is a source of frequent stress. Ways to achieve a balance that is healthy for you and your family will be addressed.
Topics:
Target Audience: Parents of children of all ages.
“Dad: A child’s first superhero”: Understanding Fatherhood
“It is a wise father that knows his own child.” William Shakespeare
Why is fatherhood such an important role in a family?
Fathers play an incredibly important role in a child's development and are central to the emotional well-being of their children. The goal of this conference is to explore the topic of a father’s roles within the family, focusing on the positive contributions to their children’s lives. We will also address the stereotypes and common misconceptions associated with the concept of fatherhood.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Mindful Parenting”
Mindful Parenting focuses on our inner experience while we are actively parenting. It has as a goal the reduction of anxiety and distress given the pressures of modern day parenting. Mindful parenting teaches us to be present in our kid’s daily life and develop self-awareness in our parental role.
Topics:
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“The Science of Happiness”
For decades researchers have studied the factors that increase or decrease our life satisfaction. In simpler terms, we have been trying to answer the age-old question: What makes us happy? How do we become “happy”? The conference covers the scientific data on how to improve our well-being and lead happy lives.
Topics:
Target audience: Adults
“Depression or Sadness?”: Education and Prevention of Depression and Suicide of Children, Adults and the Elderly.
Depression is a debilitating mental illness that affects millions of people around the world. It has a negative impact on our social, academic and working life. There are many misconceptions about what depression is, its symptoms and how to identify them. We will also give information and address the stereotypes and common misconceptions associated with suicide.
Topics:
Target audience: Adults
Resource: Alexandra Ramos Duchateau, Ph.D.
Dr. Ramos is a clinical psychologist with 18 years of experience in providing psychological services to children, teens, couples, and adults. She is a certified cognitive behavioral therapist and has worked in multiple settings including schools, hospitals, educational institutions, and the private sector. Dr. Ramos currently has a thriving private practice in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. She specializes in issues related to parenting and has given conferences on this topic to both parents and students at multiple schools and private entities in Puerto Rico.
Conference Terms & Conditions:
Introduction
Parenting is truly a wonderful adventure that often presents multiple challenges and obstacles. The following series of conferences are aimed at helping parents navigate the stressors of parenting; think of it as a parenting survival kit. The tools and strategies presented will help parents identify problems, improve communication skills, and strengthen their relationship with their children. The goal is for parents to have the resources to enjoy the wonderful aspects of parenthood and help them raise happy and healthy kids.
“Chatter, Tantrums & Silence”: Communicating with Kids & Teens
Why is it so hard for kids to talk to us?
Why do they give us blank stares, roll their eyes, or simply not say anything?
The goal of this conference is for parents to identify and avoid common mistakes that result in breakdowns in communication and reduce the frustration parents often experience when talking with their children. Parents will learn how to improve everyday communication with their children.
Topics:
- Understanding children’s experiences and how parents relate to those experiences via verbal/non-verbal communication.
- Strategies to become effective and respectful communicators.
- Identifying common errors in parent’s communication and an explanation of how these pitfalls often lead to tantrums or a general shut down in communication within the family.
- Suggestions on improving communication and listening skills, including empathic listening, problem solving, coping with anger, and effective verbal discipline.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Understanding and Nurturing the Self-Esteem of Children”
How do we help our children have a healthy and positive self-esteem?
Why is my child struggling with self-esteem issues?
The aim is to explore the relationship between children’s self-esteem and parenting. The discussion will focus on definitions of self-esteem and the importance of healthy self-esteem. Parents will learn strategies to help empower their children and become allies in the development of healthy self-esteem.
Topics:
- Strategies that promote self-esteem, identifying possible self-esteem problems, and common misconceptions regarding this topic.
- Preventative measures regarding self-esteem, as well as coping with existing self-esteem problems such as perfectionism and negative self-talk.
- Specific techniques such as building trust with your child, descriptive praise, decreasing negative self-talk, and appropriate verbal reprimands will be discussed.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“I am SO Stressed! Helping Our Kids Manage Anxiety”
Is my child struggling with anxiety?
How can I be supportive and help him/her cope with anxiety?
Parents and children are often stressed with the demands of everyday life. Parents can help children reduce their anxiety levels and understand the impact of anxiety on their emotional development. The conference aims to help parents identify the symptoms of anxiety; as well as implement helpful tools to manage children’s anxiety.
Topics:
- Learning about anxiety, its causes, and symptoms.
- Knowledge on the different types of anxiety such as social anxiety, test anxiety, and separation anxiety.
- Risk factors associated with anxiety such as perfectionism, study habits, sleep, diet, procrastination, and avoidance behaviors.
- Strategies for children and parents aimed at reducing anxiety in multiple situations.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, teens, young adults.
“Helping Our Kids Heal from Depression”
Is my child depressed?
My child has struggled with depression, how can I help?
“Depression” is often a scary word for parents and when a child is experiencing depression, parents often feel confused and lost on how to help. The content is designed to teach parents to identify physical and emotional symptoms of depression in their children. It is also important that parents know how to be supportive and aid in their child’s recovery from depression.
Topics:
- Learning about depression and possible treatment options.
- Understanding the causes of depression and risk factors for becoming depressed.
- How parents can be a strong support system to help their children overcome depression.
- Common mistakes parents make when dealing with children suffering from depression.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, teens, young adults.
“Coach or Cheerleader? Parents & Sports”
Are you cheering or coaching from the sidelines?
Are you encouraging or discouraging your children during sports?
The conference’s content focuses on helping your child manage the frustrations and challenges that are associated with playing sports. What is the role of a parent in a child’s sport-related activities?
Topics:
- Understanding the emotional/physical challenges of sports.
- Managing performance anxiety, academic responsibility, sportsmanship, perfectionism, and dealing with frustration.
- The relationship between performance and anxiety.
- Common mistakes by parents of athletes.
- How to be a supporting and encouraging parent during sports.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Stop Bullying: Creating a Bully-Free Zone”
Is my child being bullied?
My child has had problems with bullying, how can I help?
The conference aims at helping parents understand bullying and its emotional impact. The discussion will cover an explanation of different types of bullying and children’s responses to bullying. Parents will also learn about the signs of bullying and strategies to deal with the problem.
Topics:
- Recognizing bullying and its different types.
- Understanding the dynamics between bullies and their victims.
- Helpful suggestions on how to address bullying both at home and in school.
- How to be supportive of your child when he/she has been a victim of bullying or is engaged in bullying behavior.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Effective Discipline Strategies for Parents”
Why does he/she not listen to me?
Why am I always yelling?
One of the most frustrating aspects of parenting! Discipline implementation can be an exhausting process and create major conflict in the home. Parenting often involves having to make difficult decisions in terms of discipline to create an environment of respect and order in our homes. This conference focuses on helping parents understand the effectiveness of various discipline strategies.
Topics:
- Advantages and disadvantages of multiple discipline strategies such as time-outs, behavioral charts, and removal of privileges.
- How to communicate and explain consequences and punishments.
- The importance of consistency in relation to discipline.
- How to resolve differences in discipline styles among parents.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
* This conference can be divided into two age groups: young children and pre-teens/teens.
“Put that phone away! Electronics and our Kids.”
How do I get them to do something else?
How do I know what they are doing online?
Ohhh, the fights we have with our children over electronic use! The goal is to provide tools for parents to monitor the use of electronics as well as the supervision of content on electronic devices. Parents will learn about current available technology and tips for keeping children safe in cyberspace.
Topics:
- The use of parental controls and options available for electronic supervision.
- Talking to your children about privacy and being safe online.
- Cyberbullying prevention tips.
- Establishing rules about cell phone and computer use.
- Ways of reducing children’s electronic use.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Balancing Work and Family”
How do I find time for everything?
Why am I exhausted all the time?
The eternal juggling act! What is a healthy balance for you and your family? Why do we experience so much guilt over this issue? The aim of this conference is to explore a topic that for most working parents is a source of frequent stress. Ways to achieve a balance that is healthy for you and your family will be addressed.
Topics:
- The importance of self-care.
- Ways to organize and simplify family life to ease the pressures of everyday life.
- Establishing priorities and goals for personal and work tasks.
- Time management skills to improve efficiency both at work and at home.
Target Audience: Parents of children of all ages.
“Dad: A child’s first superhero”: Understanding Fatherhood
“It is a wise father that knows his own child.” William Shakespeare
Why is fatherhood such an important role in a family?
Fathers play an incredibly important role in a child's development and are central to the emotional well-being of their children. The goal of this conference is to explore the topic of a father’s roles within the family, focusing on the positive contributions to their children’s lives. We will also address the stereotypes and common misconceptions associated with the concept of fatherhood.
Topics:
- Understanding a father’s experience within a family and the varying roles they can adopt.
- Exploring stereotypes and myths about fatherhood.
- Analysis of the differences in raising boys and girls from a father’s perspective.
- Addressing the positive and negative impact of fatherhood on a marriage/partnership.
- Discussion on the challenges and pitfalls of co-parenting.
- Strategies on strengthening the role of the father and improving the family dynamic.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“Mindful Parenting”
Mindful Parenting focuses on our inner experience while we are actively parenting. It has as a goal the reduction of anxiety and distress given the pressures of modern day parenting. Mindful parenting teaches us to be present in our kid’s daily life and develop self-awareness in our parental role.
Topics:
- Strategies to reduce parent’s guilt and self-criticism.
- Developing a strong bond with our children.
- How to fully enjoy the adventures of parenting.
- Strategies to recognize our emotional states and when we are losing control.
- How to be less impulsive when we discipline.
- How to achieve greater acceptance of ourselves and our children.
Target audience: Parents of young children, pre-teens, and teens.
“The Science of Happiness”
For decades researchers have studied the factors that increase or decrease our life satisfaction. In simpler terms, we have been trying to answer the age-old question: What makes us happy? How do we become “happy”? The conference covers the scientific data on how to improve our well-being and lead happy lives.
Topics:
- Definitions and myths about the concept of happiness.
- Behaviors, habits, and characteristics of “happy people.”
- The relationship between self-care and happiness.
- How important is money in the search for happiness?
- The relationship between mindfulness and happiness.
- How to make changes towards the “happy” goal.
Target audience: Adults
“Depression or Sadness?”: Education and Prevention of Depression and Suicide of Children, Adults and the Elderly.
Depression is a debilitating mental illness that affects millions of people around the world. It has a negative impact on our social, academic and working life. There are many misconceptions about what depression is, its symptoms and how to identify them. We will also give information and address the stereotypes and common misconceptions associated with suicide.
Topics:
- Understanding the symptoms of depression and risk factors.
- Information on how the symptoms of depression differ depending on the population.
- Exploring treatment options for depression.
- How to be supportive if a loved one is depressed or suicidal.
- Myths and reality of depression and suicide.
- Statistics on depression and suicide.
- Resources for help with depression and suicide.
Target audience: Adults
Resource: Alexandra Ramos Duchateau, Ph.D.
Dr. Ramos is a clinical psychologist with 18 years of experience in providing psychological services to children, teens, couples, and adults. She is a certified cognitive behavioral therapist and has worked in multiple settings including schools, hospitals, educational institutions, and the private sector. Dr. Ramos currently has a thriving private practice in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. She specializes in issues related to parenting and has given conferences on this topic to both parents and students at multiple schools and private entities in Puerto Rico.
Conference Terms & Conditions:
- Length: Approximately 90-120 minutes.
- Availability: Daytime or evening times are available.
- Conference dates need to be reserved with a minimum of 30 days in advance.
- The conferences can be provided in English or Spanish.
- For additional questions, you can email at aramos0@yahoo.com or call (787) 565-9957.