Ep 152: Adapting as a Parent: How to Hold On While Letting Go

Parenting with Impact

Deborah MacNamara, a highly experienced developmentalist, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of parenting and child development. With a PhD and years of working alongside renowned author Gordon Neufeld, she has dedicated her career to understanding how children grow and thrive. Deborah's extensive background in academia, counseling, and teaching has allowed her to deeply immerse herself in the study of human development for nearly two decades. As a faculty member at the esteemed Neufeld Institute, she continues to contribute to the field through her research, writing, and online presence. Drawing from her personal experiences with highly sensitive children, Deborah's work resonates with families of complex kids, providing them with valuable insights and guidance.

Listen to this Parenting With Impact episode with Deborah MacNamara about adapting as a parent.

Top 12 Tips To Help Your Complex Kids

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Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

The developmentalist approach, explained by Deborah McNamara, focuses on understanding human development and its connection to parenting. This approach emphasizes helping children grow and thrive, and understanding what parents need to do to support their child's development.

Parenting complex kids can be a challenging and rewarding journey. These complex kids require parents to adapt and be flexible to understand their unique needs. Parenting, in general, is an adaptive endeavor, but it becomes even more apparent when raising children with complex needs. The key to adaptation lies in keeping our hearts warm and maintaining a sense of care and patience, even in the face of frustration and stress.

Neurodivergent development explores the challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent children. Deborah emphasizes the importance of creating supportive environments and providing structure, routine, and boundaries to help these children develop their identity and navigate the world.

Trial and error is crucial for neurodivergent individuals to navigate their lives and find their passions. By giving them opportunities to be the answer to something, such as through volunteer work or involvement in a community, they can develop a sense of identity and learn appropriate behavior.

The topic of holding on to kids while allowing them to let go explores the long-term relationship between parents and their children. Deborah emphasizes the importance of this throughout their development, from infancy to adulthood. She finds inspiration in Gordon and Gabbar's book, "Hold on to Your Kids." Holding on to our children means providing support and guidance, even when we are not physically present. It involves instilling our values and fostering a healthy and independent relationship.

Links Mentioned:

Recognizing and Managing Stress Triggers as Parents

If They would Just... Guiding Kids to Take Ownership of Their Own Agenda

What Support do ADHD'ers Need? Book Smart or Street Smart?

What's So Wrong with Immaturity?

Neufeld Institute

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