State of Life’s Post

Excited to share our latest work on valuing children's wellbeing in policy decisions! Working with the brilliant Isaac Parkes at LSE, we've tackled a crucial gap in social value analysis. Why it matters: 1. Childhood is usually overlooked in cost-benefit analyses 2. Children's wellbeing has declined over the past decade, with 1 in 5 having a probable mental health disorder. 3. Many policies, such as those in the new Child Wellbeing Bill, need robust social value analysis. Our solution: child wellbeing years (C-WELLBY). Calling researchers and social value practitioners: We're not claiming perfection, so come help us refine the approach! Let's make sure kids' wellbeing is front and centre in the analysis supporting policy. #ChildWellbeing #SocialValue #WELLBY

The goal isn’t just to raise children, it’s to raise wholesome children who are confident, resilient, and ready to face life’s challenges. As a parent (or caregiver), the guilt creeps up sometimes: Am I doing enough? Am I doing the right things to make these kids feel confident in themselves? Or worse… am I unknowingly doing something wrong? It’s that never-ending, gut-wrenching guilt that so many of us feel! That’s why I’m genuinely looking forward to attending the Blossom Against All Odds webinar. It’s a chance to hear from experts who’ve dedicated years to understanding how to raise children with confidence and resilience. ✨ Will you be joining too? It’s FREE, and everyone’s welcome! Click the link in our bio to register today. Let’s learn together! But before you go, let’s share and learn from each other. 💬 What’s ONE way you’ve helped build confidence in the children around you? Whether it’s with your kids, students, or siblings, your experiences matter, and we’d love to hear them. Let’s trade insights while we gear up for the webinar! #RaisingConfidentKids #ParentingGoals #BlossomAgainstAllOdds #YouthEmpowerment #CaregiverSupport #ChrysalisCareInitiative #WebinarSeries

I'm on a mission and it's one that was ignited from a painful past. That pain turned into purpose. As a kid, you may have experienced trauma in so many forms. But as you grew into adulthood, you became a powerhouse. This result more than likely came from support and attention outside of your home - A teacher Family friend A family member On the other hand, there may have been little-to-no support and attention from anyone. In turn -  Old habits remain.  Growth continues to feel impossible.  The only superpower is being a victim in a constant feedback loop. I played the victim once and learned a valuable lesson. When you lay down, others will just step over you. But when you show determination, even if your crawling your way through... Others will step in for support. I created a baby and kids brand with a mission that can be summed up into 4 words - 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀. Cavehouse Supply provides products with purpose for children and their families to explore, learn, and grow  in order to build strong and supportive communities  through empowered, confident kids. And as a kid, I needed that safe and creative space. A portion of the profits from every purchase is dedicated to providing free day camps, workshops, retreats, and events for kids in Title 1 schools and underserved communities. By empowering children with valuable skills and experiences, Cavehouse Supply is building stronger, more supportive communities from the ground up. This past week has been one for the books, and you can hear all about it in my newsletter I send out every other Sunday. (The next one coming atcha this Sunday) Check out my Featured Section and when you sign up, you'll receive 3 FREE coloring pages you can print at home! Check out our products with purpose, which is what allows us to provide day camps, workshops, and events to kids and their families for free: www.cavehousesupply.com — If you feel comfortable sharing - How have the experiences, relationships, and challenges you've encountered along the way shaped the person you've become?

Reflecting on Our Family Rules Discussion! Earlier on, we delved into the norms and rules that shape our family lives. Your participation was fantastic, and it’s interesting to see how diverse our practices can be! Here’s a quick roundup of what we learned together and how it stacks up against some stats from Ireland: Curfew Times: Your Feedback: 65% of you enforce a curfew of 10 PM or later for teens. Ireland Insight: Interestingly, nationwide surveys suggest that about 60% of Irish families with teenagers have similar curfew rules, aligning closely with your responses. Screen Time Limits: Your Feedback: A split decision! 50% allow 1-2 hours of screen time, while the other 50% are more lenient with 3 hours or more on weekdays. Ireland Insight: Recent studies indicate that Irish teens average about 3 hours of screen time daily, reflecting our community's more lenient stance. Chores Assignment: Your Feedback: 70% of you assign regular chores to your children, fostering responsibility. Ireland Insight: Across Ireland, approximately 65% of households involve children in chores, slightly less than our community but still significant. Homework Supervision: Your Feedback: 60% of you prefer to let children manage their homework independently to build autonomy. Ireland Insight: This is a bit more hands-off compared to the national average, where about 75% of parents supervise homework more closely. Family Meal Times: Your Feedback: A heartwarming 80% value having dinner together as essential family time. Ireland Insight: A strong family tradition, with around 78% of Irish families prioritising shared meals, very much in line with our community's values. It’s fascinating to see how aligned we are with broader trends, yet also where our unique perspectives shine through. What do you think influences these differences? Let’s keep the conversation going! #FamilyRules #CommunityInsights #ParentingInIreland"

Supporting Children's Homes: Would a "Topic of the Month" Resource Help? At Nest Consultancy Ltd, we’re always looking for ways to support children's homes in meeting the nine Quality Standards. We’re exploring the idea of a monthly "Topic of the Month" resource tailored to your needs. Each month, we’d focus on a specific theme linked to the Quality Standards and provide: Practical tips for implementation. Guidance on evidencing compliance with the standards. Ideas to improve outcomes for children. For example, we might cover topics like building positive relationships, promoting education, or supporting health and well-being. We’d love to hear from you! Would this be a useful tool for your team? Are there specific challenges or topics you’d like us to prioritize? Your feedback will help us shape this idea into something truly valuable. Let us know your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly! #ChildrensHomes #QualityStandards #CareExcellence #SupportingCare

As an expert, one of the most important things I've learned is recognizing the limits of my own knowledge. Raising a happy, healthy family? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. And I don’t have all the answers. 🙏 But here's the good news: I’ve teamed up with some incredible experts who do have valuable insights to share. Together, we’ve created something special to support parents just like you: the Family Education Series. For the next couple of months, you can join the Amazing Parents' Network and be a part of this FREE series—where you'll get expert advice, helpful resources, and a real community of support. 💛 🌱 What you’ll get: - Access to workshops and courses - Live feedback from experts - Gifts, study materials, support groups, and more! From health and relationships to parenting, child development, finance, and beyond, we’re covering it all. It’s a chance to learn from experts around the world—and to find solutions for what’s most important to you and your family. 💬 Let’s make this winter one of growth and transformation for you and your loved ones. 🌟 Click the link below to get started, and get your weekly event guide and access links for free! https://lnkd.in/e3QDPuFk And don’t forget to access your handout here: https://lnkd.in/eMuW62jN #FamilyEducation #ParentingJourney #FamilySupport #ParentingExperts #AmazingParents #Transformation2025 #ThePivotPoint #FromStucktoUnstoppable

Write it Out Wednesdays: Stepping into the Shoes of Your Child 🌟 Write it Out Wednesdays are here! 🌟 As co-parents, one of the most powerful tools we have is empathy—seeing the world through our child’s eyes can make all the difference. This week, we’re kicking off our “Stepping into the Shoes of Your Child” series. It’s about taking a moment to pause, reflect, and truly understand the world from your child’s perspective. When we take the time to step into our children's shoes, we can transform our co-parenting approach, build deeper connections, and create a more nurturing environment. This exercise isn’t just for you; it’s for your kids, too. Let’s grow together, one reflection at a time. 📝 Journal Prompt of the Week: “Imagine a day in your child’s life from their perspective. What do they see, hear, and feel when they move between two homes? How do they perceive the co-parenting dynamic? Write about a specific moment where your child might feel caught in the middle or unsure. What can you do to help them feel more secure and supported?” ✨ Take a few minutes this week to write it out. Let’s make co-parenting not just about raising kids, but about raising happier, more understood kids. #WriteItOutWednesdays #SteppingIntoTheShoesOfYourChild #CoParenting #Empathy #ChildFirst #BeH2O

Imagine making decisions with total clarity and confidence—not just in one area of your life, but in every area that matters most. That’s the power of The Decision Formula, a core part of the Raise Good Kids Group Program. When you learn The Decision Formula, every choice becomes simpler, more certain, and free from regrets. You’ll experience: ✨ Peace and confidence in every parenting decision. ✨ Clarity in your family vision and goals. ✨ Stronger, more intentional relationships with your kids. ✨ Calm, purposeful service in your church and community. What if... ✨ Parenting felt fun and easier? ✨ Your family relationships could deepen and thrive effortlessly? ✨ You showed up in every role with peace, purpose, and clarity? It’s possible, and it starts with the Raise Good Kids Group Program. 🎉 Early bird pricing ends January 1st! Start 2025 with the clarity and confidence you’ve been looking for. 💡 Visit https://lnkd.in/gXXZKyhv to enroll!

Co-parenting can be challenging, especially when it comes to keeping communication smooth, clear, and effective. A great way to approach it? Treat co-parenting like a professional project—where the goal is raising happy, healthy children. 💡 Regular check-ins, clear documentation, and collaborative decision-making are key, and we often recommend two tools to help with this: Our Family Wizard or Talking Parents. Discover how these resources can make co-parenting more manageable in our latest blog post! https://lnkd.in/ggX2VxS6 #CoParentingTips #FamilyLaw #EffectiveCommunication #OurFamilyWizard #TalkingParents #FamilyLawyers #ChicagoLawFirm