“Parenting is one of the most challenging, demanding, and stressful jobs on the planet. It is also one of the most important, for how it is done influences in great measure the heart and soul and consciousness of the next generation, their experience of meaning and connection, their repertoire of life skills, and their deepest feelings about themselves and their possible place in a rapidly changing world.” Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting
What I have discovered over the years in working with families as well as parenting children of my own is that our work in nurturing the inner lives of our children, especially in today’s world, calls for increased care and education for parents, now more than ever. We were not intended to parent alone, yet we often hesitate to expand our circle of support when it comes to parenting, especially as our children get older. Instead we choose to take on the heavy weight of parenting as if we should know naturally what to do all the time. If we are to continually deepen and refine our awareness and abilities as parents, we must recognize that for all the instinctual wisdom we draw upon, there are also layers of wisdom and support that lie outside of ourselves. Well-Bean has created a series of workshops to support parents in meeting the emotional and mental needs of their children. In the mindful spirit of expanding our knowledge and learning from others, we’ve inviting a multi-disciplinary team of local experts to share evidence-based research and strategies with parents who are intentional about building awareness and resilience in their children and within themselves. We are all on a different path in our parenting, but we were not designed to go about it alone. These classes are designed to not only provide education, but to create a space for connection and time for self-care and reflection for parents.
Welcome to our Well-Bean Classroom, we invite you to expand your parenting village and help water the seeds of wellness in your children. Please join us for tea, education, conversation and community.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:
Hurricanes, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes: Understanding Difficulties with Emotion Regulation and What You Can Do Anxiety and other difficult emotions can be overwhelming for kids and their parents. This presentation will provide information on the nature, process, and role of emotions in everyday functioning, as well as effective strategies for better managing difficult times. Primary focus will be given to the emotions of Anxiety and Anger.
Dr. Eric Dykstra is a clinical psychologist and currently the Clinical Director at Developmental Enhancement Behavioral Health. He has been working in this field for over 15 years and spends much of his time providing psychological assessment and therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. Dykstra works closely with a multidisciplinary team in his practice and maintains a whole-child perspective in his work.
November 8, 2018 @ 6:00-7:30 p.m. Presented by Dr. Eric Dykstra Workshop held at Well-Bean 1324 Lake Dr. SE. Suite 1. Grand Rapids, MI. Pre-Registration Required. Space is Limited. $20
Sensory Anxiety: Not Your Ordinary Anxiety. Is your child oversensitive to sounds, sights, textures, flavors, smells or other sensory input? Would you describe your child as anxious? Do you often wonder what’s going on behind your child’s behavior? When children have sensory processing challenges and anxiety, together it can cause mayhem. The two often coexist and play off of each other, creating a variety of symptoms and effects. This workshop will help parents understand sensory anxiety, while exploring techniques to help manage the symptoms.
Molly Buist is the Owner and Clinical Director of The Center for Childhood Development in Jension, Michigan. The Center was founded in 2004 and continues to grow. Molly has 25+ years of experience as an Occupational Therapist with the majority of that time spent in pediatrics. She is driven to provide each child/family a treatment program based on their developmental and relationship needs. The ability to work with parents and caregivers to empower them to build relationships with their child, come to their child’s individual developmental level and watch the change, is one of the enjoyable parts of her day. Molly works with many other OT’s around the world to provide the best therapies in West Michigan.
December 6, 2018 @ 6:00-7:30 p.m. Presented by Molly Buist, Occupational Therapist, Owner and Clinical Director of CCD. Workshop held at Well-Bean 1324 Lake Dr. SE. Suite 1. Grand Rapids, MI. Pre-Registration Required. Space is Limited. $20
Good Digestion: An Important Part of Your Child’s Overall Health and Well-Being It is not uncommon to hear in today’s news about the “Gut-Brain Connection.” What is the research stating and what does it mean for us as parents and caregivers? How can we better equip our children to be proactive AND preventative with their digestive issues. When we think of all the stressors and stimulation that occurs with our senses it’s no wonder that we have a catastrophic number of people with digestive disorders; ranging from early in life constipation and gas to later in life Chron’s Disease and IBS. Research is erupting with a new understanding of cognitive, hormonal, mental and immune function housed, supported and often dictated in our “Gut”. From newborn, adolescence and beyond, come and learn all about the How, What, When AND Why Of Gut Health.
Sarah Oswald is a Naturopathic Practitioner and has been practicing in the field of Natural Health for 20 years. One of the fundamental frameworks she learned early on in working with clients with chronic illness was making the connection to what was happening within the gut. Sarah works closely with families on a holistic level to facilitate, educate and support using a variety of Naturopathic tools.
February 6, 2019 @ 6:00-7:30 p.m. Presented by Sarah Oswald, Naturopathic Practitioner Workshop held at Well-Bean 1324 Lake Dr. SE. Suite 1. Grand Rapids, MI. Pre-Registration Required. Space is Limited. $20
Screen Time: Impact, Safety, and Setting Limits Rapid changes in and increased access to technology in our children’s lives have made it difficult for parents to know and set appropriate limits on screen time. This presentation will increase parents’ awareness of the connection screen time has on their child's energy levels, imagination, and attention span. Primary focus will be given to the impact on brain and development as it relates to performance in elementary school with some attention given to the emotional impact of social media. Parents will also learn strategies on how to enhance the use of screen time and how to set limits that are fun, fair, and effective for the whole family.
Lisa Dykstra is a Clinical Social Worker and owns Living Well WM Counseling in Hudsonville. She is also a School Social Worker for Hudsonville Public Schools. Lisa has 15 years of clinical experience and has noted trends in screen time access in both the clinical and school settings worth sharing.
March 14, 2019 @ 6:00-7:30 p.m. Presented by Lisa Dykstra, LMSW Therapist and School Social Worker Workshop held at Well-Bean 1324 Lake Dr. SE. Suite 1. Grand Rapids, MI. Pre-Registration Required. Space is Limited. $20