NEDERLAND - The first Mountain Strong Families parenting event of the school year, hosted by TEENS, Inc. on September 9, created a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Parents and caregivers enjoyed a meal together, children had playtime, and the evening unfolded into meaningful conversations about nurturing children’s social-emotional growth. While some parents arrived unsure of what to expect, many left feeling uplifted and eager to return for future sessions. 

 Mountain Strong Families utilizes the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting Curriculum, offering practical strategies to support children’s healthy emotional development.

A central theme of the evening focused on the work of Dr. Dan Siegel, who emphasizes that children need four core experiences to thrive: feeling seen, soothed, safe, and secure. Parents explored ways to provide these experiences through mindful attention, self-awareness, and even self-compassion. 

Following the session, one parent shared, “I don’t have to be perfect, and hearing other parents describe the same struggles we face at home was such a relief!”

This sense of shared experience reflects one of the program's greatest strengths: building community around the idea that parenthood is a journey best traveled together. 

The session also highlighted how children’s challenging behaviors often indicate disconnection rather than defiance. Life’s demands—such as work, school, busy schedules, and the pull of technology—can chip away at quality family time.

Research shows that consistent, nurturing connections strengthen secure attachments, which in turn promote empathy, emotional regulation, and resilience in children (Harvard Center on the Developing Child, 2023). 

Parents and caregivers left with simple, practical takeaways:

1. Positive reinforcement matters: Striving for five positive interactions for every critique fosters cooperation and strengthens trust.

2. Children feel “seen” through presence: Engaging in a favorite game, commenting on their artwork, or sharing quiet time builds emotional security.

3. Connection over correction: Coaching children through their emotions helps them learn problem-solving and self-regulation more effectively than punishment alone.

The next Mountain Strong Families event is scheduled for Monday, October 7, at Nederland Elementary School, and will focus on Parental Self-Care. Research indicates that when parents care for their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, they are better equipped to nurture their children.

In fact, parent stress is strongly linked to children’s stress levels, and parental self-regulation helps children develop their own coping strategies. This upcoming session will provide parents and caregivers with tools to recharge, set healthy boundaries, and model balance for their children.

Mountain Strong Families is more than a parenting program - it’s a community space where parents and caregivers come together to learn, share, and support one another. For more information or to register for the October 7 session, please contact Betsy, betsy@teensinc.org.