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The Experts Say…

“Roma Khetarpal gives parents practical tools to better understand...”

“I used to get so worked up from situations with my kids… being a more relaxed parent makes my life, their life, and my husband’s life much easier and much more enjoyable.”Kavita Vanjani

“Once I understood the importance of building emotional intelligence in my children (and myself!) I could focus on “dealing with the feeling” rather than just reacting.”Annette Nobile Allen

“Roma Khetarpal made a difference in our understanding of what effective parenting really is.”Mark Chadwick

“Thank you, Roma, for taking the time every month to help us become happy, relaxed parents!”Jaya Daryanani

“I use the information I learn in my personal life as well as my professional life… Thanks a million for teaching us how to be mindful of our words, our tone, and our body language.”Gina Rai

“Kudos to you and your team for all the compassion, dedication, and passion in making our children’s world a better place one insight at a time.”Sharmila Daryanani McGowen, LMFT

“Tools of Growth was just what I needed… what she taught me works with the whole family.” Cheryl Bermeo

Parents Say…

Real quotes from real parents

Tools of Growth is in Stevenson Ranch, California.

Almost always, messages speak to us directly, about a call to action that is much needed at a specific time. In a time where “should”s are leading the way, I’m committing to consciously trying the “could”s. I was feeling such angst today thinking “I should go for a walk to release this angst”. I immediately caught myself and moved to a “I could go for a walk”. The thought lifted my spirits and energy. The next thing I knew it was an “I am on a walk!” — Which made me smile and find so many gifts from nature to appreciate my daily blessings. Try it and share your story with a #mystory ! Let’s inspire each other and lift each other up! @ Stevenson Ranch, California ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago ·

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Tools of Growth

As you continue to navigate this time with your family, have you considered setting up a routine to meditate together? Thrive Global sets up some steps you might consider in starting a meditative experience for the whole family. ... See MoreSee Less

Meditation for the Whole Family

thriveglobal.com

In our busy, always-in-a-rush society, I have found meditation to be especially calming and beneficial to parents and children alike. You may think your child is too young or incapable of meditation, but even children as young as age three are able to sit next to you and mimic your meditation, event...

4 days ago ·

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Tools of Growth

We're coming together more frequently, bring more creative with the groceries that are available to us, and adapting to a way of life that we would probably not have been fond of only 1-2 months ago for the sake of our community. It's important to show our children how we have come to peace with this changing environment. On this week's Sunday Mindful Parenting Perspective, Parenting is... highlighting the current state of equanimity to our kids. ... See MoreSee Less

Parenting is... highlighting the current state of equanimity to our kids. | Tools of Growth

toolsofgrowth.com

Parenting is... highlighting the current state of equanimity to our kids. During last week’s grocery run, I noticed that I was picking up brands of foods that I would never have picked before. In fact, with the current state of imbalance in the supply-demand chain caused by the COVID-19 crisis, I....

5 days ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Here's some other fun activities you can try in the comfort of your homes. Get your kids involved in the kitchen or connected to nature with these kid-approved recipes. L.A. Parent ... See MoreSee Less

Nature Activities You and the Kids Can Do At Home

www.laparent.com

Nature activities need not require a trip far from home. There are plenty of fun ways to connect kids to the natural world in your backyard.

6 days ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Establishing boundaries within the household and reevaluating teen's access to online platforms and the communities they interact with is important when thinking about how these platforms have now changed the way we speak and share time with one another. Quartz ... See MoreSee Less

A therapist’s advice for helping pre-teens in a coronavirus lockdown

qz.com

"Middle School Matters" author Phyllis Fagell has loads of tips for parents.

6 days ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Our local libraries are closed! But that doesn't mean we can't still check out. Find online resources, movies, music, books, and much much more by contacting your local library or searching their website online. So many online resources have emerged since the start of the #stayathome movement make sure you are making the best of them! Follow the link below to learn about more learning at home resources you can check out. Genius of Play ... See MoreSee Less

Learning At-Home Resources While Social Distancing

www.thegeniusofplay.org

Schools are closed nationwide. Adrienne Appell, Senior Director of Strategic Communications at The Toy Association, shares the latest tools and resources to keep the kids engaged and entertained while social distancing.

1 week ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Have you tried these out to connect with your loved ones? How often do you connect with loved ones while you are social distancing?
Though most still require some experience with technology, the platforms listed are some of the easiest to access and set up. Please let me know if you have any alternative platforms! Check out the following articles for more information about these resources or more options for online games!
www.vox.com/2020/3/21/21185750/how-to-group-chat-watch-movies-games-netflix-discord-zoom-coronavi...
parade.com/1012420/nicolepajer/best-online-games/
As always, online communities should be approached with caution! But it is also wonderful seeing how many communities have changed to be accessible online and how they have expanded to be more inclusive.
#stayhome #staysocial ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Social distancing is hard. Not getting too physically close to others, making sure to sanitize completely after every, much needed, trip outside, but one thing has held true through all of this. We are in this together. We will get through it together. Even this moment is a gift in realizing the power of our community, of our friends and peers who still fight to make it possible to "hang out" albeit remotely. And it is during this time that it's important to highlight this message to our children. On this week's Sunday Mindful Parenting Perspective, Parenting is... talking to our kids about the power of our interconnectedness. ... See MoreSee Less

Parenting is... talking to our kids about the power of our interconnectedness. | Tools of Growth

toolsofgrowth.com

Parenting is... talking to our kids about the power of our interconnectedness. The previously intangible idea that we are all connected as a human race just got real. With the mounting uncertainty of when we will go back to “normal,” the anxiety, stress, and fear grows and grows and grows. We ar...

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

What activities have you been practicing over the past few days? How have they impacted the way you feel about your current circumstances?
Please do share. I'm interested in what has worked for each and every one of you.

The activities shared below are great for practicing in family too! Get your little ones in on this and allow them to create their own routines! ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

How are you ensuring your family is safe, healthy, and happy during school closures? AhaParenting.com has a 10 great tips for managing your time and energy. ... See MoreSee Less

10 Solutions To Save Your Sanity During the Coronavirus Pandemic School Closures

www.ahaparenting.com

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

The UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center is offering a free Coronavirus and Mindfulness Workshop you can attend online lead by Mitra Manesh on Sunday, March 22, 2020, 5 - 6.30 pm, PST. Click below to register and receive a link to participate via Zoom video conferencing. ... See MoreSee Less

Coronavirus & Mindfulness Free Workshop

docs.google.com

Coronavirus & Mindfulness Free Workshop With Mitra Manesh We've never collectively needed a sense of community, group practice, and words to remind us of our mindfulness teachings more than now. Alas, this is not possible in person, but MARC has decided to offer its members the next best thing -- on...

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Parents, what kind of activities can you provide for your child as they step into "distance learning"? Whether you're ready to take on a full on approach to educating your student yourself or would just like to offer them some hands on activities for them to learn from Verywell Family offers some great resources to do just the thing. ... See MoreSee Less

11 Fun Learning Activities Kids Can Do at Home

www.verywellfamily.com

Teach your preschoolers and school-age children something new today. Try these fun learning activities that you can do at home.

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Here's a quick reminder to take care of yourself! It's easy to forget steps towards reducing your anxiety but try to keep them in mind as the days continue. Make sure to take a step back from all the news outlets, though that can be hard when you want a look on what is happening outside for a change. Make sure you are also taking proper steps to take care of yourself. Keep up your usual routines as best as you can, but modify them to the comfort of your home. If you're used to going to the gym, there are many people offering great exercises and routines you can practice even on your living room floor! For more information and tips with reducing anxiety take a look at the CDC's recommendations and resources below.
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

How do you stay calm during the Corona Storm? Suzi Lula Spiritual Therapist recommends us to use guided meditation through her YouTube channel to slow down the surge of fears, worries, and insecurities you might have.
I also welcome you to tune into her "Meditation for Kids- and your inner kid!" session tomorrow, Thursday at 10 am pst / 1 pm est on Facebook Live through her page!
She is a dear friend, peer and expert who offers great strategies for working with your feelings. ... See MoreSee Less

How to Stay Calm in the Corona Storm

suzilula.com

Visit the post for more.

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

What do you do when your child starts crying? Do you attempt to validate their feelings? Do you allow them to process their emotions on their own? Happiness is here offers some alternatives to telling your child to "quiet down" and "stop crying." ... See MoreSee Less

10 Things to Say Instead of 'Stop Crying' | Happiness is here

happinessishereblog.com

As a parent, you deal with a LOT of feelings on a daily basis. Right? And sometimes, it can all get to be just a little bit much! When you’ve had what seems like hours of multiple people crying at ... Continue reading →

2 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Have you been caught up in the frenzy of shopping? Has the stress and anxiety of COVID-19 caught you in a trap of impulsive actions, because "better safe than sorry"? Perhaps it's time to check into our inner world, reevaluate the actions we feel we must take in order to keep ourselves safe and make room to share that with others. How we respond to these trying times will soon be reflected in our children and their behaviors, so lets make the best of this situation! ... See MoreSee Less

Parenting is... being a good role model always–especially now during the #coronavirus crisis. | Tools of Growth

toolsofgrowth.com

Parenting is... being a good role model always–especially now during the #coronavirus crisis. Walk the walk before you talk the talk. Our kids will do as we do, not as we say. Children learn best by example. Monkey see monkey do. Why are we having a judgment lapse when we know these age-old phrase...

3 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Are you parenting Gen Z kids? Christine Carter has some great tips for tuning out extra noise during one of the busiest and buzziest eras ever. ... See MoreSee Less

A must-read for parenting Gen Z, and tuning out the noise

news.berkeley.edu

Berkeley sociologist shares parenting tips on navigating an entirely new adolescence

3 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Another reason to add playtime with your child to your day, everyday! A recent Princeton University study shows how your child and your own wavelengths align during play. ... See MoreSee Less

Baby and adult brains ‘sync up’ during play, finds Princeton Baby Lab

www.princeton.edu

It's not your imagination -- you and your baby really are on the same wavelength. A team of Princeton researchers has now measured baby and adult brain activity moving in sync as they play and interact together.

3 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

What leads a child to lie? The choice lies in reactive parenting practices. Positively Positive suggests giving your child space to be honest without judgement. ... See MoreSee Less

Allow Your Child the Space to Choose in the Moment

www.positivelypositive.com

3 weeks ago ·

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Tools of Growth

Is it always wise to force our children to apologize to each other, even when they don't mean to? AhaParenting.com tells us that perhaps it's wiser to coax them into communicating with each other or create a long term path towards reparation. ... See MoreSee Less

Focus on helping children communicate rather than on the ritual of apology.

www.ahaparenting.com

3 weeks ago ·

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What is Tools of Growth?

Tools of Growth is the brainchild of author and parentologist Roma Khetarpal and research psychologist Dr. Julie Watson. It was created to help parents simply and effectively turn day-to-day family challenges into opportunities to strengthen communication. With tips for cooling down those “hot” moments, as well as tools for completely changing how we communicate with our kids—and how they communicate with us—Tools of Growth helps parents reconnect with themselves so they can truly connect with their kids. TOG helps you find the calm, happy, and relaxed parent within you.