Parent Education Series Program

Carly Maderer, a skilled attorney specializing in Estate Planning and Business Law (J.D., M.B.A., Texas Licensed), demystifies basic Estate Planning tools and address the common question: "Do I need a Will?" Carly emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive Estate Plan and offers real-life examples to illustrate why certain decisions matter, from establishing Trusts to selecting Executors and addressing beneficiary designations.

Child-directed play is a deeply embedded and essential tool for processing the world, but finding time and space for tinkering, exploring, and discovering can be a challenge to fit in between life’s many responsibilities. Jill Wood, librarian at the Parish School and Director of Adventure Play, presented an overview of the many benefits of play and tips on how to set up environments that encourage creativity, independence, and problem-solving skills.

Dr. Crystal Collier, author of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide, will teach families how to build their family code! A family code of ethics is a tool that parents can use to create unity, set healthy boundaries, and reduce power struggles with children. Dr. Collier will teach parents how to identify their children’s neuro whereabouts or the stage of brain development they are in to help grow and protect neurodevelopment from risky behavior. Dr. Collier will teach families how to use the family code during everyday interactions and how to integrate brain-based parenting and prevention science scripts into their daily communication.

Youth are struggling to stay in college more than ever. High-risk behaviors including substance use, technology overuse, and video games are on the rise in every socially economic status. In this presentation, parents learned the #1 predictor of future success. Techniques and tools for shaping this key behavior were included and discussed. Presented by Crystal Collier, Phd, LPC-S, Fellow in Addiction and Behavioral Health, Hope and Healing Center & Institute.

Nicola Moy (Certified Sleep Sense Consultant and Yorkshire parent) presented a seminar that included the benefits of sleep and side effects for too little sleep; age-appropriate sleep recommendations; reasons as to why a child may be stalling bedtime, appearing hyper at bedtime, and having difficulty staying asleep; secrets to promote the best sleep possible for a child; dos and don’ts at bedtime.

If a family member, friend, or child in your care had a cardiac or first aid emergency, would you recognize the signs and respond quickly and appropriately? Caring People Respond has developed this training course to teach lifesaving skills.

Dr. Janie Doan, pediatrician at CyFair Pediatrics and Dr. Yen Pham, gastroenterologist at Texas Children's Hospital discussed common childhood illnesses, remedies, and when to call your pediatrician.

Miriam Mills is a Certified Life Coach and Stress Management Consultant and the owner of Breathe Flow Balance based in Houston. Having spent 15 years in the classroom and knowing the fears, anxieties and issues children can face she is passionate about teaching better ways to reduce and manage the ups and downs of life through the eyes of a child. During her seminar, she discussed communication skills, setting boundaries, practical applications for relaxation, and helping to reduce anxiety/fear.

Crystal Collier (PhD, LPC-S, Fellow in Addiction and Behavioral Health, Hope and Healing Center & Institute) outlined what is and isn’t bullying, and offered resiliency skill tips to help instill in your children.

Substances or other high-risk behaviors affect brain development and effects the manner in which addicted individuals parent. This presentation by Dr. Crystal Collier reviewed the effects of substance and process addictions, the family roles and rules in an addicted system, and the best methods to assist families who have members struggling with addiction.

Jeff Biehl, Parisi Speed School Director, explained the benefits of exercise and how to incorporate exercise into your family life. This presentation reviewed scary statics of not being active and how to reverse an unhealthy lifestyle.

Technology is changing our social and emotional landscape, skills, and levels of intimacy. How can parents set healthy boundaries for themselves and their children when use of technology permeates our lives so inextricably? Lead by Dr. Crystal Collier, the third social and emotional parent workshop covered the effects of technology on the developing brain and utilized aspects of the first two workshops to integrate into a home plan for sound, brain-based rewards and consequences regarding technology.

Shirley Swinbank (Yorkshire Executive Director and Founder) discussed How Children Succeed, by Paul Tough, one of her favorite child development books. In addition, Mrs. Swinbank also shared many of her other “must have” books.

Casey Casteel is a parent coach, educational consultant, and mental health professional. She has worked in a variety of areas of education and mental health for the last 20 years supporting Houston area families. Visit her website for more information.