In the bustling life of a modern family, balancing work, school, and personal time can often become a daunting challenge. Emily Holl, a recent participant in the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Parents workshop* offered by the Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF), knows this all too well.
Alongside her husband Tom, their two boys in grades 3 and 7, Emily relocated from the East Coast to Washington in 2018, seeking a balanced and fulfilling family life. Last spring, Emily and Tom attended the workshop with the aim of enhancing their parenting toolkit, and their experience serves as a testament to the workshop’s impact.
Finding Harmony Amidst the Hustle
The Social Emotional Learning for Parents workshop is an interactive training course for parents to cultivate advanced social and emotional awareness and skills. Facilitated by Parent Coach Dr. Bonnie McDaniel, this course aims to help improve family relationships and help raise resilient kids.
Emily’s decision to enroll in the Social Emotional Learning for Parents workshop stemmed from a common parental struggle: managing stress and maintaining emotional equilibrium amidst the daily whirlwind of family life. “We feel you can never have too many tools in your parenting toolbox,” Emily shares. The Holl family, like many others, juggles numerous responsibilities, and the pressure can sometimes lead to moments of heightened stress and guilt.
Learning to manage their emotions was a priority for Emily and Tom, who recognized that effective parenting cannot happen from a place of high stress and emotional disarray.
Transformative Takeaways
One of the most significant insights Emily gained from the workshop was the importance of self-check-ins during stressful moments. “Taking a breath and stepping back before responding to our kids has been a game-changer,” she notes. This simple yet powerful practice has allowed Emily and Tom to approach tough situations with a calmer and more thoughtful mindset.
The Holl family has seen positive changes in their interactions and relationships. By being mindful of their own emotions, they have been able to handle challenging scenarios in more constructive ways. Emily emphasizes that the workshop has empowered them to pause, assess their feelings, and respond in ways that preserve their children’s self-esteem.
“This is definitely still a work-in-progress on a daily basis,” Emily admits, “and we don’t always manage to keep our cool, but we have really benefited from using these new tools in significant situations. We can also reflect back on things we could have handled differently and try to do better next time.”
A Lifelong Skill for Every Parent
Emily is enthusiastic about recommending the Social Emotional Learning for Parents workshop to other parents. She believes that the ability to manage and regulate emotions is a crucial skill that benefits every relationship in daily life. By modeling this behavior, Emily and Tom hope their children will learn the importance of acknowledging emotions and understand that effective problem-solving happens when we stay calm and think clearly.
“We are grateful that LWSF offered this course,” Emily adds. “Bonnie [McDaniel] was a knowledgeable, relatable, and empathic leader, and it was great to hear from other families in the workshop facing similar experiences. We hope other families will benefit from it as much as we have.”
Join the Journey
Emily Holl’s experience underscores the transformative power of social emotional learning for all ages. For parents seeking to enhance their emotional toolkit and foster a more harmonious family environment, this workshop offers invaluable insights and practical strategies.
To learn more about the workshop and register for upcoming dates, visit our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Parents page.
*The Social Emotional Learning for Parents workshop was formerly called Parenting for Emotional Wellbeing workshop prior to September 2024.
