Glenbard Parent Series: Growing Up Mindful, Capable & Resilient

The Glenbard Parent Series: (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families will present Growing Up Mindful, Capable and Resilient: The Wisdom and Science of Happy Families and Thriving Children during presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10 and 11.

Mindfulness builds emotional intelligence; boosts happiness; increases curiosity and engagement; reduces anxiety; soothes the pain of trauma; and helps people focus, learn and make better choices. Research in neuroscience shows that mindfulness significantly enhances what psychologists call “flourishing,” which is the opposite of avoidance and depression.

Psychologist Christopher Willard, author of several books on mindfulness, will share the practical skills of mindfulness during two presentations:

• 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

• Noon Wednesday, March 11, at the Marquardt School District 15 administration center, 1860 Glen Ellyn Road in Glendale Heights.

Willard will share insights and tools to help every member of the family. Topics to be covered include:
• Less is More Parenting: how letting go of what’s no longer necessary creates freedom and the possibility for something new
• Building Wisdom and a Wiser Brain: how to steer kids’ developing minds toward wise action
• Growing Up with a Grit and Growth Mindset: the best ways to encourage resilience and determination by reinforcing a growth mindset
• Staying Steady through Stress: how to accept life’s inevitable ups and downs using a calm approach
• How to release anxiety about parenting and having the perfect family; and the mindful use of technology and social media.

Students are encouraged to attend these programs, and continuing professional development units are available.

Young children also can benefit from bringing a gentle, accepting attitude to the present moment. Willard will present Mindfulness Practices to Foster, Relaxed and Happy Children (ages 3-8) at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the Marquardt School District 15 administration center, 1860 Glen Ellyn Road in Glendale Heights.

Willard teaches at Harvard Medical School and is president of the Mindfulness in Education Network.

GPS is generously sponsored by the Birth to Five Community Coalition, Cebrin Goodman Center, Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE), College of DuPage, DuPage Medical Group, Emmy Gaffey Foundation, Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative, Holiday Inn/Carol Stream and the Prevention Leadership Team of the DuPage County Health Department. Additional support for this program comes from the Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully.

For further information, visit glenbardgps.org or contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at 630-942-7668 or gilda_ross@glenbard.org.