Practical Steps for Healthier Families

By Theresa Mabry
Encompass Director of Operations

Want a healthier family? And we are not talking about food! Parenting is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles anyone can take on. It's a journey full of growth, learning, and love, but also fraught with difficult moments, stress, and conflict. That's why having a supportive framework can be a game-changer for both parents and children. Our program, Parenting for Kids’ Sake, is designed to help families experience growth in their parenting abilities by strengthening practical, time-tested skills.  

Who is it for? All parents, stepparents, co-parents, and single parents. Especially for parents who want their children to thrive and grow into responsible, loving adults.  
The heart of Parenting for Kids' Sake focuses on four key areas that will help parents and their children gain practical skills to build connection and influence children in positive ways. Those four key areas are:  

1. . Connecting with Your Children 

• Be present: Put away distractions like phones or work when you're spending time together. Focus fully on your child during these moments. Participate in a RINGS chat which is a simple connecting tool.  
• Assert and Listen well as a parent: Communication is the basic currency of any relationship. Learn how to send and receive messages well.  
• ​Understand how your child is wired: learn about the 5 Love Languages for children and take a personality assessment so that you can gain insight into your child. 

2. Dealing with Stress and Conflict 

• Recognize stress triggers: Understanding what causes you stress can help you manage your reactions. Identifying these triggers allows you to take proactive steps to address them. 
• Stress responses and strategies: learn what stress response your child has and which one you have and how they respond negatively towards each other.  
• ​Family of Origin: explore your family tree and gain insights for what you want to keep and what you want to discard.  

3. Managing Anger and Resolving Conflict 

• 4 Communication Danger Signs: Learn these four danger signs of communication and how to diminish their use in your parenting.  
• The Brain and Anger: See what happens in the brain when we get angry and how to calm them.  
• ​SOS tool: Teach your child how to resolve conflicts constructively by discussing solutions together. This strengthens their communication skills and promotes healthy conflict resolution. 

4. The Nuts and Bolts of Healthy Parenting 

• The Four C’s: Gain an understanding of your parental job description with the 4 C’s 
• Map out your approach to effective discipline: Learn to balance connection and flexibility when correcting your child  
• ​Instill healthy screen use habits: Learn and teach your child to move from screen addiction to family connection.  
• Lead Positive Family Meetings: Learn how to have regular family meetings which can instill support, connection, and problem-solving fun!  

What makes Parenting for Kids' Sake special? It’s warm, practical, and designed to fit real life. It’s personal, informative, safe, and supportive for all parents and their children.  
What to Expect  
Parenting for Kids' Sake gives you a mix of engaging lessons, fun exercises, and meaningful conversations. Coaching support can help guide you through the material and answer questions along the way. It’s a relaxed, encouraging environment designed to help you connect and grow with your family and gives you the encouragement needed to begin implementing the practical skills and tools you learned with confidence.