Research-based ideas for parents to connect and support your kids' development

Why

Don’t just manage crises – connect and thrive

1.

Parenting has gotten more complex

Kids’ mental health is suffering, and parents are stressed. Social change, technology, economic challenges, and fragmented communities are some of the challenges.

2.

You make the difference

The good news is that a connected empathic relationship with you, is a ‘super-protector’ against all the many challenges kids will face.

3.

It takes some new tools

Most of us weren’t taught the techniques of connected & empowering parenting, either explicitly or by example. 

4.

But it feels good.

It just takes a some guidance, an open heart and mind, and some practice. And the best thing? it feels amazing for parents too!

What

Each weekly postcard covers a timely topic in one of these areas:

Cognitive Development

Build learning, analysis, and executive functioning. Cognitive strength helps kids feel empowerment and agency in the world, aiding with school and, later, job prospects.

Emotional Development

Learn to manage all the big feelings that come up in daily life. The ability to feel our feelings and maintain an emotional buoyancy is one of the most profound shapers of quality of life.

Social Development

Learn to navigate and build strong relationships. Being able to connect with others is one of the key sources of meaning and resilience throughout life.

Parent Self-care

In order to be available and supportive for our children, parents need to feel heard, supported and loved too. Parenting can be a profound journey of love, connection, and healing for parents as well.

HOW

Know > Connect > Empower > Self-care

On every topic, we share findings from the latest science (KNOW), describe what may be going on developmentally for your child and how you can connect (CONNECT), and give tips to empower their growth (EMPOWER). Then we encourage you to check in with you (SELF-CARE) – because parenting is a two-way relationship.

Team

We’re parents too

Postcards for Parents was born on the playground in Portland, Maine, during conversations after school between Kate Howe, Dr. Liz Knake, and the 'mom crew' (shout out to Leska and Allison!).

"Water water everywhere, and not a drop to drink."

It stemmed from the frustration that, despite the ocean of parenting info out there, none of it was presented in a 'drinkable' way. Most parenting books and resources are aimed at solving problems, rather than the ongoing practice of creating great relationships with our kids.

Our aim is to support parents at a manageable pace with the right info at the right time… to increase family joy and child wellness, and help avoid problems in the first place! We have personally experienced that the benefits for the whole family are priceless.

Kate Howe

Kate is a mom, designer, and creative entrepreneur. Kate is obsessed with creating design that improves the meaningful things in people’s lives, and has long worked with human-centered design for community and economic development. Prior to Postcards for Parents, Kate was Head of Graphic Design at the NYC Dept. of Design & Construction. She also founded and built a community outdoor market, created a psychology app, and wrote a blog about the psychology of shopping. Kate holds a BA Summa Cum Laude from Columbia University, and an MFA from Yale School of Art.

Dr. John Stewart

John is a clinical psychologist with 35+ years of experience working with children, adolescents and families based in the frameworks of attachment and interpersonal neurobiology. He founded and served as Clinical Director of the Maine Special Education & Mental Health Collaborative, a day treatment program serving students with Developmental Trauma, PTSD, attachment issues and High Functioning Autism. John is also an Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Psychiatry Tufts, School of Medicine, and the author of two books on treating children and adolescents.

Sarah MacLaughlin, LSW

Sarah MacLaughlin is a social worker, parent educator, and author of the award-winning, bestselling book, What Not to Say: Tools for Talking with Young Children and the forthcoming title, Raising Humans With Heart: Not a How-To Manual. She is a writer, trainer, and content expert for ZERO TO THREE, a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. Sarah's writing has been featured in many places, including online at The Huffington Post and in print with Pathways to Family Wellness magazine. She is a human development nerd dedicated to the well-being of children and their families. Sarah lives in the woods of Maine with her family, including a tweenaged son who gives her plenty of opportunities to take her own advice. 

Get in touch.

What's YOUR parenting style? Find out!

Find out