Accepting the Power & Responsibility of Being a Trusted Adult
Article By Brooklyn Raney, Guest Expert and author of the book One Trusted Adult.
5 Minute Read
The power of one trusted adult in a child’s life is great, and the combined power of many trusted adults is even greater. The good news is that every adult can build the competence and capacity to show up as a trusted adult for young people!
When a young person comes to you because they have a worry or concern, need something, want to share exciting news, are looking for advice, or any of the many other reasons they might seek you out, you have three options: exploit, ignore, or embrace.
The sad reality is that some adults will exploit their relationships with children. This is why it is so crucial to teach children about boundaries from a very early age.
Teaching young people what is okay and what is not okay, how to voice their discomfort, and who to talk to if they feel something isn’t right is as important as...
Rupture & Repair: Connection, Disconnection, & Emotional Communication in Infancy
Article By Hilary Jacobs Hendel, LCSW, Guest Expert and author of the award-winning book It’s Not Always Depression.
6 Minute Read
“Rupture and repair” refers to the breaking and restoring of connection with one another. Since humans are wired for connection, and connection is what researchers say brings most happiness, rupture and repair is a critical concept to learn about for wellbeing.
Let’s begin with a question that developmental psychologist Edward Tronick, Ph.D. asked in a paper called Emotions and Emotional Communication in Infants:
Why do some children become sad, withdrawn, insecure, or angry, whereas others become happy, curious, affectionate, and self-confident?
You might be surprised to know that emotional communication starts at birth and influences how we connect throughout our lives. Because infants can’t speak, people used to think babies didn’t have emotions and...
Meet Guest Expert
Hilary Jacobs Hendel
Hilary Jacobs Hendel, LCSW, is the author of the award-winning book, It’s Not Always Depression, which is based on her work as a therapist. Hilary is a certified psychoanalyst and AEDP psychotherapist and supervisor, and has published articles in The New York Times, Time, Oprah, and other major media outlets. Her blog "The Change Triangle" is read worldwide.
Meet Guest Expert
Brooklyn Raney
Brooklyn is the Founder and Lead Trainer of "One Trusted Adult," an organization that provides programming for educators, professionals working with youth, parents and guardians, and young people, to ensure that every young person has at least one trusted adult.
The Educator & Parent Curating These Articles
Kari Yacawych
Kari has been a teacher for the past 27 years. She spent the first 20 years of her teaching experience as a classroom teacher for first, second, and fourth grade. For the past seven years, she has been the Library Media Specialist at Sunnyside Elementary School. Kari started working on our content in 2020 and has played an integral part (along with her kids!) in planning out the Wiggle Warrior® program.
