In celebration of International Social and Emotional Learning Day today, each of the Confident Parents Leadership team members have responded to the above question with specific examples. Every family is unique and so each family promotes social and emotional skills in very different ways at each age and stage. Yet there is much we can learn from one another in sharing our examples. Ultimately, I believe social and emotional learning is love in action. And we are stronger if we learn from one another. Hope you’ll add to this important conversation today!

“One of the ways I promote social and emotional skills is by modeling self-awareness out loud with my family by naming and shifting disruptive emotions as they occur.”

– Jason Miller, Founder, Inner Sound Coaching and Consulting

“I am a work in progress as are my kids. As a parent, I grow right along with my kids. I check myself as they say. I check-in with my emotions when one of my three kids has pushed my button(s). I know for my kids, one of whom is neuro diverse, that transitions are difficult in my house. I also have 6yo twins, and routine is important for them as well. I try to anticipate their reactions before we transition to bedtime, school time, whatever the next activity is, but I don’t always get it right. I don’t always know what their reaction to a particular transition will be. But I can control my response. When I take a deep breath, survey the situation without verbalizing too much, until I have the words, the transitions in my household go a little smoother. And I know my kids are watching me and learning from me.”

– Nikkya Hargrove, Vice President, Harboring Hearts, Parenting Author

“Now that my children are both teenagers, I notice that I spend less time trying to cultivate their skills, and more time trying to make my social emotional skills visible to them. For example, the other day I was talking to my 15-yr-old daughter about my struggle with self-management when it comes to social media. I shared the whole, long, convoluted journey of using it, giving it up, using it again, giving it up again. And now, when I opened it to see one little thing, I can’t stop obsessive checking to see who liked (or didn’t like) that thing! She did not say much in response, but it feels so important to normalize these struggles so she will see them more clearly when they come up within herself.“

– Shannon Wanless, Director, Office of Child Development, Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh

“Daily exchanges with and amongst my three elementary schoolers serve as a sandbox for acquiring and practicing social and emotional skills. As much as I cringe when my kids bicker, I welcome it (in hindsight) as a real-world opportunity for them to experience the importance of managing one’s own and others’ emotions. When they are coming to me for mediation, I help them problem-solve by articulating their emotions, goals, and values in ways that their sibling(s) can understand. After the tension eases, I have a conversation with my kids to reflect upon what just happened.”

– Jenny Woo, Founder/TEDX Speaker, Mind Brain Parenting, Lecturer, University of California, Irvine

“The rush of national and global news has been constant source of conversation over the past couple of years. We use every social issue and latest event as an opportunity to talk about how individuals and families are being impacted, how they might feel and how they are coping, and ways in which people are showing compassion or working to create positive change. This grows our son’s social awareness along with our own and also his sense of responsible decision-making as we discuss the ethics and consequences of choices made.”

– Jennifer Miller, Founder, Author, “Confident Parents, Confident Kids”

Don’t miss the Parents, Equip Our Kids! Online Event today with many awesome speakers including Mike Wilson, Jason Miller, Lorea Martinez and Jennifer Miller. Starting at 1:00 pm EST, 10 am PT. Register free here!

Happy #SELDay2022!