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Parent University: Experiential Education for Parents and Guardians
Mark your calendars - Parent University, The Bush School’s annual parent and guardian education series, returns Saturday, October 5! This informative conference offers several virtual seminars throughout the year and a half-day, in-person conference located on the Bush campus. Parent University 2024 will be headlined by Positive Psychologist, Dan Lerner, and several other talented speakers who will lead seminars covering relevant topics on raising children in today’s world.
According to Head of School Dr. Percy Abram, Parent University provides parents and guardians a forum for discussion and shared learning about the most pressing issues facing them today. In this election year, the program will feature a facilitated conversation on how to have polarizing conversations with your child.
“You only get one chance at being a parent,” said Beth Birnbaum, Bush parent and Parent University attendee. “I view Parent University as an opportunity to try to get out in front of the mistakes I’m likely to make as a parent. I think one of the nice things about Parent U is that you can focus on where your child is at. Maybe you have younger children that struggle with getting to bed on time, or a teen who struggles with anxiety. At Parent University, you’re able to focus on what’s relevant for you now, or in the near future, and you can segue into different programming as your child grows up–there’s always more to learn.”
Previous Parent University speakers have covered topics relevant to children of all ages, including childhood anxiety, citizenship, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, learning differences, and digital safety. This highly anticipated conference provides Bush parents and guardians the opportunity to cultivate community, ask questions, and lean on one another while raising youth in evolving times.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PARENT U 2024 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
“When Marc Brackett came to Parent University 2017, it was a proverbial lightning bolt moment for me, as I was dealing with young children and it seemed like they were always being caught up in big feelings,” said Beth. “I felt so fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from this expert, right at the moment I needed help. Furthermore, that interaction helped us do a better job of reinforcing the RULER curriculum being taught at Bush with our children.”
This year’s conference will host Morva McDonald, Parent University Chair and Vice President of Leadership and Governance at NAIS, and Caroline Blackwell, Vice President for Equity and Justice at NAIS. These incredibly gifted speakers will cover Citizenship: Living and Learning in Gracious Space, a segment which will provide parents and guardians with a unique, safe space to have tough and vulnerable conversations.
“Building community is personal. Imagine you were hosting a dinner party for folks in this community, who likely have very divergent perspectives and values. How will you prepare for your guests, so they feel willing to share their ideas and engage in authentic conversations with one another? What will it take for everyone to feel seen and heard as they leave for the evening?"
Previously, Bush has featured many incredible Parent University speakers, including Dr. Marc Brackett, and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour, journalist Tonya Mosley, and psychologist Dr. Peg Dawson. Parent University speakers have led compelling lectures throughout the years that continue to resonate with many Bush parents and guardians today.
“Julie Lythcott-Haims, who wrote How to Raise an Adult, also made a big impression on me,” Beth recalled. “I learned from her talk and her book about the importance of resisting the pull of being a helicopter parent, and instead giving our children tools to overcome challenges more independently and helping them develop the ability to motivate themselves.”
Parent University speakers have helped bridge the gap between parents and students by uncovering new perspectives and offering clarity through easy-to-understand lessons. These teachings have given parents the tools to simplify communication between them and their children.
“Dr. Lisa Damour is a really great communicator,” Beth said. “She puts things in terms that are very easy for parents to understand and helps them get inside the heads of their children to empathize with what they’re going through and help them navigate the really challenging phases. Now it’s getting to be time for me to read some of her books about tweens and teens.”
For new Bush parents and guardians attending Parent University for the first time this year, expect to receive a great deal of helpful information, advice, and guidance.
“Parent University is an opportunity to take a morning and invest in your own education as a parent,” Beth shared. “And having great childcare onsite makes it an easy decision. There’s material for parents of any child in the K-12 range. Parents can see the program and decide which seminars will be best to attend based on their family’s needs and stages – I know a number of parents who purposely take different tracks then catch up later, maybe on a date night, to discuss what they’ve learned.”
Don’t miss Parent University 2024, which will provide a series of insightful conversations led by knowledgeable speakers from all over the country. For more information on Parent University, including this year and previous years speakers, visit the event page.
To ensure the in-person conference runs seamlessly, we are asking Bush parents and guardians to assist with a variety of tasks. Sign up to volunteer using the Parent University Sign Up Genius or contact Events and Volunteer Manager Kerry Quinn with questions at kerry.quinn@bush.edu.
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Bush parents and guardians who have attended Parent University in previous years enjoy the wide range of topics that are offered at Parent University, and feel the program helps prepare them in their individual parenting journeys.
“You only get one chance at being a parent,” said Beth Birnbaum, Bush parent and Parent University attendee. “I view Parent University as an opportunity to try to get out in front of the mistakes I’m likely to make as a parent. I think one of the nice things about Parent U is that you can focus on where your child is at. Maybe you have younger children that struggle with getting to bed on time, or a teen who struggles with anxiety. At Parent University, you’re able to focus on what’s relevant for you now, or in the near future, and you can segue into different programming as your child grows up–there’s always more to learn.”
Previous Parent University speakers have covered topics relevant to children of all ages, including childhood anxiety, citizenship, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, learning differences, and digital safety. This highly anticipated conference provides Bush parents and guardians the opportunity to cultivate community, ask questions, and lean on one another while raising youth in evolving times.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PARENT U 2024 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
“When Marc Brackett came to Parent University 2017, it was a proverbial lightning bolt moment for me, as I was dealing with young children and it seemed like they were always being caught up in big feelings,” said Beth. “I felt so fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from this expert, right at the moment I needed help. Furthermore, that interaction helped us do a better job of reinforcing the RULER curriculum being taught at Bush with our children.”
This year’s conference will host Morva McDonald, Parent University Chair and Vice President of Leadership and Governance at NAIS, and Caroline Blackwell, Vice President for Equity and Justice at NAIS. These incredibly gifted speakers will cover Citizenship: Living and Learning in Gracious Space, a segment which will provide parents and guardians with a unique, safe space to have tough and vulnerable conversations.
Here’s a quote from Morva and Caroline about developing community conversations:
“Building community is personal. Imagine you were hosting a dinner party for folks in this community, who likely have very divergent perspectives and values. How will you prepare for your guests, so they feel willing to share their ideas and engage in authentic conversations with one another? What will it take for everyone to feel seen and heard as they leave for the evening?"
Previously, Bush has featured many incredible Parent University speakers, including Dr. Marc Brackett, and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour, journalist Tonya Mosley, and psychologist Dr. Peg Dawson. Parent University speakers have led compelling lectures throughout the years that continue to resonate with many Bush parents and guardians today.
“Julie Lythcott-Haims, who wrote How to Raise an Adult, also made a big impression on me,” Beth recalled. “I learned from her talk and her book about the importance of resisting the pull of being a helicopter parent, and instead giving our children tools to overcome challenges more independently and helping them develop the ability to motivate themselves.”
Parent University speakers have helped bridge the gap between parents and students by uncovering new perspectives and offering clarity through easy-to-understand lessons. These teachings have given parents the tools to simplify communication between them and their children.
“Dr. Lisa Damour is a really great communicator,” Beth said. “She puts things in terms that are very easy for parents to understand and helps them get inside the heads of their children to empathize with what they’re going through and help them navigate the really challenging phases. Now it’s getting to be time for me to read some of her books about tweens and teens.”
For new Bush parents and guardians attending Parent University for the first time this year, expect to receive a great deal of helpful information, advice, and guidance.
“Parent University is an opportunity to take a morning and invest in your own education as a parent,” Beth shared. “And having great childcare onsite makes it an easy decision. There’s material for parents of any child in the K-12 range. Parents can see the program and decide which seminars will be best to attend based on their family’s needs and stages – I know a number of parents who purposely take different tracks then catch up later, maybe on a date night, to discuss what they’ve learned.”
Don’t miss Parent University 2024, which will provide a series of insightful conversations led by knowledgeable speakers from all over the country. For more information on Parent University, including this year and previous years speakers, visit the event page.
To ensure the in-person conference runs seamlessly, we are asking Bush parents and guardians to assist with a variety of tasks. Sign up to volunteer using the Parent University Sign Up Genius or contact Events and Volunteer Manager Kerry Quinn with questions at kerry.quinn@bush.edu.
Register here for Parent University 2024 today!
The Bush School is an independent day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 745 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status