THEME FOR 2012-

TOXIC STRESS IN CHILDHOOD AND ITS IMPACT ON THE FAMILY

The Harvard Centre on the Developing Child recently released a report and newsletter on the subject of toxic stress. They have brought to attention the dangers of toxic stress experienced by children in early life.
“Early adversity has long been known to increase the risks of disease and life-threatening behaviours later in life. Now, scientific advances provide solid evidence of how this occurs and underscore an urgent need to enhance existing strategies for promoting health and preventing disease across a lifespan.” developingchildharvard.edu

If you are interested in reading more on the impact of early childhood toxic stress on adult health click inthis link: Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain.

I think that it is fantastic that this awareness and knowledge and research is now being brought to the level national interest and of policy making. It may be only in the United States, but that is a start! There is a call in America by the nation’s Paediatricians that the matter of toxic stress in childhood be addressed. They are calling on “the entire paediatric community” to protect children’s brains from toxic stress by catalysing “fundamental change in early childhood policy and services”.

Now I get that we are not here yet in South Africa- in terms of policy and affecting change at a governmental level. However what we are capable of now and what we can do is take

control and make the important first changes in the home. We can significantly reduce the stress that our children experience, as well as build their resilience to being able to cope with the stresses of life by what we do and don’t do as parents, and the parental decisions that we make.

This includes

• becoming aware of what toxic stress is.
• Becoming aware of what creates toxic stress: from a level of child survival (in developing and poorer communities) to the level of child development (in more affluent and developed societies)
• understanding your role as a parent
• understanding your child’s developmental, emotional, psychological, cognitive needs

It is important for parents to understand that not all stress is toxic. Some stress is positive and necessary. Be careful of jumping to the conclusion that your children are being damaged when they are not. The education around this is important!

This year it will be my focus to bring awareness to the different types of stress and what needs to be addressed at each level of stress (positive stress, tolerable stress, and toxic stress)

The workshops that will be running this year will fit into my model of working with stress in our lives- the good and the bad.

One of the best workshops that you can attend that will give you a healthy model of developing your child’s resilience to harmfull stress is The Building Blocks of Resilience Workshop - This is based on the work of Maggie Dent- an Australian Family Worker. She has put together a fabulous model that covers both the roots of some of this stress, as well as ways to shield them from what is necessary and to build their resilience to manage the stresses of life (so that the children are able to self-regulate better and not fall into the abyss between tolerable and toxic stress).

Go to Upcoming Workshops and Events to see the workshop line up for the year that supports this theme.

These workshops are at set dates. However if you would like to arrange any of the listed workshops at a time of your choice do contact me to make arrangements.

SUPPORTING PARENTS IN THEIR PARENTING

As a parent and a professional who works with parents and children, I recognise the growing need for guidance and support. I recognise that as a parent you may overwhelmed, are unsure about boundaries, discipline, your child’s emotional state, their coping in the world, how you fit in in your role as a parent. I hear you. I also know that you are trying your best to juggle work, children, friends, relationships with your significant others.

I offer my support to you in navigating your parenting and everything that it brings.

I often talk about families being WELL. WELL – Wonderfully and Energetically Loving Life.

How WELL are you? And how WELL is your family?

I have some exciting new material and workshops and talks to offer you to support YOU in your parenting journey. I invite you to open to open your mind to the possibilities presented to you as a parent and the wonderful joyous journey that this can become. You children are your greatest teachers, and I urge you to look at that.

I invite you to come and see me at my office for a chat about where you are at and how you can engage with your parenting and your role as a mother/father/teacher in a more loving and energetic way.

I offer on-going family support and parent education to enable you to create more enjoyment in your parenting and in family life, and help you discover strategies for your parenting challenges.