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The Parenting Cipher
Empower Your Child's Back-to-School Transition
Are you wondering how to ease your special needs child's transition back to school and manage their anxieties effectively? In this episode, Genie Dawkins dives deep into preparing for the upcoming school year, providing essential strategies for parents of special needs children. She shares personal experiences, thoughtful advice, and practical tips to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode of "The Parenting Cipher," host Genie Dawkins focuses on preparing special needs children for a successful start to the school year. Genie emphasizes the importance of early preparation, managing anxieties, and encouraging independence. She shares her personal journey with her son's struggles, offering actionable strategies like creating visual schedules, adjusting bedtime routines, and arranging school visits. Genie also discusses the significance of validating children's emotions, preparing role-playing scenarios, and connecting with teachers and school staff to establish a robust support network. Listeners will gain valuable insights and practical tips to make the back-to-school transition as seamless as possible for their special needs children.
Key Takeaways:
- Early Preparation: Start preparing early to manage anxiety effectively.
- Visual Schedules: Create visual schedules to help children understand their daily routines.
- Gradual Transitions: Make gradual changes to routines to ease children into the school schedule.
- Holistic Sleep Solutions: Tackle sleep issues with holistic methods rather than sleep aids.
- Role-Playing Scenarios: Use role-playing to build confidence and prepare for school routines.
- School Visits: Arrange pre-school visits during quieter times to familiarize children with their environment and teachers.
- Back-to-School Kits: Utilize transition kits containing visual schedules, social stories, and sensory items.
- Parental Advocacy: Connect with special education coordinators and engage in parenting groups.
- Empowering Independence: Encourage small responsibilities to build independence in children.
Links and Resources:
- Visual Schedule Printables
- Back-to-School Transition Tips
- Parenting Groups for Special Needs
- Holistic Sleep Solutions for Kids
Quotes:
- "Start preparing early to set your child up for success and manage those back-to-school anxieties." - Genie Dawkins
- "Validating your child's emotions and communicating positively can significantly alleviate their fears and build their confidence." - Genie Dawkins
- "Building a strong support network with teachers and school staff is crucial in ensuring that your child's needs are met." - Genie Dawkins
Speaker Biography:
Genie Dawkins: Genie Dawkins is a dedicated parent and the host of "The Parenting Cipher" podcast. As a parent of a special needs child, Genie is passionate about providing support, resources, and expert insights to other parents facing similar challenges. Her personal experiences with her son's anxiety, bullying, and sleep issues motivate her to share practical strategies that empower parents to advocate for their children's education and well-being.
We hope you find this episode of "The Parenting Cipher" both informative and encouraging. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to join our supportive community!
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31:43||Season 4, Ep. 12Are you trying to figure out how to prepare your neurodiverse child for the upcoming school year? In this episode of The Parenting Cipher, Genie Dawkins covers essential back-to-school preparation and organization tips aimed at supporting neurodiverse children and their families. Genie dives deep into creating checklists, organizing school supplies, and preparing both mentally and physically for a successful school year.Key Takeaways:- The importance of creating detailed checklists, completing necessary paperwork, and scheduling appointments for school readiness.- Necessary school supplies tailored to support reading and math challenges in neurodiverse children.- Using a family planner to set and track academic, fitness, and personal development goals.- Establishing dedicated spaces and organizing tools at home and school, and involving children in managing their equipment.- Reviewing the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and setting transition goals for high school or employment.- The value of creating visual schedules and routines to manage daily activities and reduce anxiety.- The benefits of creating visual storytelling books to help children prepare for the school year.- Maintaining effective communication with teachers and support staff through templates and clear, documented communication.- The importance of visiting the school environment before the first day and organizing school necessities in advance.- Upcoming back-to-school series and the encouragement to engage with the Parenting Cypher community.Links and Resources:- Parent-Teacher Communication Template (for purchase)- Child Trends Report: https://www.childtrends.org- Joyful Family Planner [Link to purchase or download the recommended planner]- Back-to-School Course with templates and discounts: [Link to course sign-up]- "North Star" by MuMu Fresh with D Smoke: Link to song - Parent-Teacher Organization Kit: [Link to purchase]Quotes:- "Protect and nurture the light and shine within your child as they walk their unique path."- "Being your child’s north star means supporting their individuality and helping them navigate their own journey."- "Effective communication and detailed organization can significantly reduce back-to-school anxiety for both parents and children."Short Biography for Speaker:Genie Dawkins, the host of The Parenting Cipher, is a passionate advocate for families with special education needs. With years of experience and personal insights as a parent to neurodiverse children, Genie offers practical advice and resources to support and empower parents. Her engaging style and heartfelt dedication shine through in every episode, helping families navigate the complexities of special education with confidence and grace.Remember to hit the subscribe button, leave a 5-star review, and check out the wealth of resources provided in the show notes. Cherish each moment, be kind to yourself, and support your child's individuality as you embark on this back-to-school journey together.11. Transforming Motherhood: From Overwhelm to Self-Care and Inner Joy
57:47||Season 4, Ep. 11Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed in your parenting journey, wondering if your dedication to your children is also causing you to lose touch with yourself? In this episode, Tanika Ray and Genie Dawkins dive deep into the balance of self-care and motherhood, the concept of invisible labor, and how conscious parenting can save lives.Episode Summary:Genie Dawkins opens up about feeling disconnected from herself during a challenging period as a parent and emphasizes the importance of self-care. Tanika Ray discusses the impact of mothers giving their all to their children, often benefiting the patriarchy, and the concept of invisible labor in motherhood. Together, they offer personal experiences on co-parenting, conscious parenting, and the importance of acknowledging individual roles in a child's life. They address inherited generational anxiety and trauma, discuss their children's struggles within societal pressures, and explore how their own upbringing has influenced their parenting styles. The episode also covers the effectiveness of different disciplinary approaches and the significance of acknowledging and apologizing for one's mistakes as a parent.Key Takeaways:- Recognizing the importance of self-care and not losing oneself in the role of a parent.- Understanding the concept of invisible labor and its exhaustion.- Value of open communication and understanding your child's emotions and rhythms over physical punishment.- Impact of generational trauma and anxiety on parenting and children's well-being.- Importance of allowing children to express themselves and embrace their individuality.- Balancing self-care with parental responsibilities and nurturing one's personal interests.Links and Resources:- Mamaste Podcast - Dr. Shefali's Book on Conscious Parenting- Child Trends Report on Generational AnxietyQuotes:- “In order to give your children the love and care they need, you must first learn to give it to yourself.” – Genie Dawkins- “Our labor as mothers goes unnoticed and often unappreciated, yet it’s the very foundation that keeps our families running.” – Tanika Ray- “Discipline should teach, not punish. It’s about understanding our children, not controlling them.” – Tanika RayShort Biography for Speakers:Genie Dawkins: Genie is a passionate advocate for conscious parenting and self-care. As a host of the Parenting Cipher podcast, she brings her personal experiences to light, helping other parents navigate the complexities of raising children while maintaining their own identity and well-being.Tanika Ray: An accomplished media personality and advocate for wellness and parenting, Tanika uses her platform to inspire mindful and self-aware parenting practices. She emphasizes the importance of individual expression and nurturing the unique attributes of each child, drawn from her transformative journey in conscious parenting.Tune in to this insightful episode that promises to offer guidance, solidarity, and practical advice for parents navigating the intricate balance of caring for oneself and one’s children. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review for The Parenting Cipher!10. How to Keep Kids Engaged and Happy: Top Summer Routine Tips
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