Next question: What are your thoughts on empowering our children to advocate for themselves?
I like that question a lot because when we work with children, we want them to feel like they have influence—that they have a voice. As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is helping them understand what they’re feeling and what they’re experiencing.
We can do this by asking thoughtful questions. For example: “What was the most interesting thing that happened to you today? What was the most difficult thing? What was the best thing?” And not just their answers, but asking why—why was that difficult? How did you respond? What made that experience meaningful?
What we’re doing is helping our children identify their emotions, understand their thoughts, and learn how to communicate them. The more they practice this, the stronger they become.
Helping children develop an internal voice is key to self-advocacy. When they understand their thoughts and feelings, their confidence increases. That internal clarity helps them speak up when it matters.
You can also practice real-life scenarios with them. For example: “If something happened at school, like being bullied, what would you want to say or do?” Practicing these situations gives them a reference point so they feel more prepared in the moment.
So, empowering children to advocate for themselves comes from helping them recognize their emotions, understand their experiences, and practice expressing themselves in a safe and supportive environment.
