Safer Stronger Kids - The Podcast Caroline Ellen

Are your kids able to fit in with the rest of his or her classmates at school? Are they able to freely express their individuality?

In this episode, we delve into the concept of "the box" and discuss how it relates to the education system and our children's development. The box represents the systems we exist in, such as the political, social, and educational systems. These systems were not designed to cater to everyone's unique needs and abilities, resulting in many individuals, particularly children, feeling like they don't fit inside the box.

We focus on the education system as an example, highlighting how it primarily caters to a specific group of students while leaving others feeling inadequate or wrong. In addition, we also discuss the need to recognize the existence of the box and understand that it is not our children who need fixing, but rather the system itself. By acknowledging the limitations of the box, we can advocate for change and push for more flexibility and individualized approaches to education.

We explore the importance of empowering children by helping them understand the box and its limitations. By fostering a sense of self-worth and emphasizing that their unique abilities are valuable, we can encourage them to break free from the constraints of the box and embrace their individuality.

Ultimately, the goal is to expand or even eliminate the box, creating systems that cater to the diverse needs of all individuals. By doing so, we can nurture a love of learning, empower both children and teachers and pave the way for a more inclusive and adaptable future.

What were the taboo topics you never got to discuss with your parents? Could they be the same topics your children might have wanted to talk with you about?

In this episode, I discuss the importance of creating an environment where we can talk about anything, no matter what it is. I reflect on my experience teaching body safety to children and how telling them that they can talk about anything doesn't always align with their lived experiences. I invite listeners to share their own experiences of taboo topics from their childhood and how they knew those topics were off-limits.

I then delve into the reasons why it is crucial for children's well-being and how to create an environment where they feel comfortable discussing anything.

I acknowledge the challenges in creating such an environment and the potential impact it can have on our children's well-being. I urge listeners to actively work on building this culture of open communication, emphasizing that even mistakes or difficult topics should be addressed without shame or judgment. By doing so, we can support our children and ensure their safety and emotional health.

Today’s podcast is taken from a training from inside my group membership called, ‘The Village’. Of course, it has been edited to protect people’s privacy.

Are we raising our kids to be aware that they can readily seek help whenever they need to?

Seeking help, both formal and informal, is crucial for our mental health and overall well-being. While seeking help has always been important, our awareness of it has improved over time. This is not just an individual issue; it is a systemic one influenced by social support, education systems, and the pressures of social media.

Along with it, I discussed the five ideas for raising kids who seek help. They need to know who they can go to for support. They need to hear stories of other people seeking help and how it made a difference. They need the skills to describe what they are feeling. They need to trust that it is emotionally safe for them to seek help. And finally, they need to understand that seeking help is not just for extreme situations but for any time they feel that life could be better or when they are carrying a burden that feels too heavy.

By following these ideas, we can raise kids who are more likely to seek help without hesitation, empowering them to improve their well-being and live healthier lives.

Today’s podcast is taken from a training from inside my group membership called, ‘The Village’. Of course, it has been edited to protect people’s privacy.

Wonder how we can cultivate critical thinking in our children, especially considering the rapidly changing world they are growing up in?

I realized that we might have overlooked the importance of home life in developing critical thinking skills. We tend to associate critical thinking with education and overlook the role of parents in fostering these skills. However, our children need critical thinking not only for academic success but also for navigating their everyday lives.

In our parenting journey, we often prioritize behavior control and compliance, especially when our children are younger. We want them to cooperate and do what they're told. However, as they enter their teenage years, we suddenly expect them to think for themselves and make their own choices. It's interesting how we have this shift in expectations without necessarily preparing them for it.

In this episode, we explore why critical thinking skills are crucial for our children, particularly in today's world and how we can cultivate critical thinking skills in our children.

Critical thinking skills are vital for our children's success and well-being in an ever-changing world. As parents, we play a crucial role in fostering these skills, both at home and in conjunction with their education. By creating a secure environment and providing opportunities for critical thinking, we empower our children to become independent thinkers who can navigate the complexities of life with confidence.

Have you heard statements such as, “You’re unlikable, you don’t belong here, you don’t fit in”?

One of the things where shame comes from is the sense of not belonging. Those negative messages convert to shame. Children either try to prove themselves to the world or completely reject the world.

Repeated experiences of feeling they do not belong usually occur in schools but it can also happen in the family, as well.

In this episode, we will discuss

the effects of shame and praise on a child,
the ‘Spare the rod, spoil the child’ discipline
the role of the family in a child’s shame.

How do we raise kids who know that they are worthy of and deserve relationships and respect? How do we raise them to know that they have the right to feel safe all the time?

Respectful relationships. Not just with the family but with peers, close friends and even with coworkers in the future as well. We want them to identify a good relationship from a bad one.

It’s not about doing them perfectly but role modelling them in front of our kids, showing vulnerability, owning up to the mistakes, and getting and picking ourselves back up.

In this episode, we will discuss:

Characteristics of good relationship and bad relationship
Role of childhood experiences as to know we view the norm
Boundaries and how to express positive message through it