Support for you, in supporting your kids
Parenting is the awesome responsibility of shaping another human being for life. Lots of research in the behavioral sciences has discovered which parenting practices lead to mental health and resilience for kids. But, learning it all can be overwhelming for any parent.
Postcards for Parents does the homework for you. We synthesize findings from Positive Psychology, Attachment Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Psychology, Child Directed Play Therapy, brain science and more. We turn all this info into weekly, bite-sized Postcards, personalized for your family.
Connect, enjoy, and support your kids' long-term emotional health.
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.
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.
3.
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.
4.
It takes some new tools
Most of us weren’t taught the techniques of connected & empowering parenting, either explicitly or by example.
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.
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.
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, MFA
Kate is a mom, designer, creative entrepreneur, and parent coach. 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, an MFA from Yale School of Art, and is a Hand in Hand certified parenting instructor.
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 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.
Dr. Kohar DerSimonian, MD
Medical Advisor
