HAS Parent Outreach Program
January 2025
January: Raising Good Humans - Practicing Compassion - It Begins with You
Welcome back to the Family Wellness Spotlight, a recurring series where we’ll explore key insights from various sources on parenting best practices! Currently, we are reading the book Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields. Over the coming months, we’ll dive into practical strategies from the book to help cultivate mindful parenting, strengthen family relationships, and raise kind, confident children. Join us as we unpack these lessons and apply them to everyday life!
In this edition of our spotlight, we explore practicing self-compassion. “Feeling compassion for ourselves in no way releases us from responsibility for our actions. Rather, it releases us from the self-hatred that prevents us from responding to our life with clarity and balance.” (Hunter Clarke-Fields, Raising Good Humans, p. 53). This quote captures a powerful truth for parents: how we treat ourselves directly shapes how we engage with our children. When we approach our own mistakes with harsh criticism, we often mirror this approach in how we respond to our kids. By practicing self-compassion, we can break this cycle, replacing shame and judgment with kindness and understanding for both ourselves and our children.
Research shows that self-compassion not only fosters personal growth but also strengthens our parenting. When we stop the cycle of negative self-talk, we model for our kids that imperfection is part of being human. Clarke-Fields reminds us that children learn more from what we do than what we say. If we show them how to handle mistakes with grace and self-acceptance, we empower them to do the same. This shift also allows us to meet our children’s needs with greater empathy and patience, even in the face of challenging behaviors.
Practicing compassion doesn’t happen overnight, but small changes make a big difference. Start by noticing your inner critic and intentionally replacing harsh thoughts with kinder, truthful ones. Recognize that everyone, including you, makes mistakes—it’s part of our shared humanity. When you model self-kindness and extend empathy to your children, you create a space where they feel safe to grow, learn, and thrive. Let’s remember: the compassion we practice within ourselves grows stronger, and it will grow in our children, too.
Care Solace
In an effort to ease the burden of finding the mental health and substance use services you need, Holly Area Schools has formed a new partnership with Care Solace, your central hub of care.
With a network of over 350,000 providers and services, Care Solace will help you find the right help at the right time, 24/7/365, at no cost to you. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.
You can access Care Solace services in three ways:
- Call 888-515-0595 to connect with a Care Companion who will guide you through the process
- Search anonymously to get matched with an extensive list of care providers here
- Contact your school counselor or social worker and they will submit a referral on your behalf
Please reach out to Cheryl Price with any questions: 248-328-3230, cheryl.price@hask12.org
Do you need financial assistance to access mental health care for your student?
Reimbursement can be used for insurance co-pays, deductible services by a qualified mental health professional such as for therapy or psychiatry. Funds are available to any Oakland County student.
Click the link below to apply!
January: Mental Health Tips for Families in the New Year
1. Embrace New Beginnings
Start the year with realistic goals. Encourage each family member to set small, achievable intentions for the year, like practicing gratitude, spending more time together, or picking up a hobby.
2. Prioritize Physical Health
Physical and mental health are deeply connected. Create opportunities for the whole family to stay active indoors or outside, such as family yoga, nature walks, or even dance sessions in the living room.
3. Combat the Winter Blues
Shorter days can affect energy and mood. Boost mental health by:
Letting natural light into your home or using light therapy lamps.
Maintaining consistent sleep and wake times.
Eating balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3s.
4. Check In with Each Other
Make mental health a family conversation. Ask open-ended questions like:
"What’s something that made you happy this week?"
"Is there anything you're worried about right now?"
Show that it’s okay to talk about feelings and seek support when needed.
5. Practice Kindness
Encourage acts of kindness, which have been shown to improve mental well-being. These can be as simple as helping a neighbor, writing thank-you notes, or complimenting others.
6. Stay Connected
Social connection is vital for mental health, especially in the colder months. Plan small gatherings, virtual meetups, or family game nights to foster relationships.
7. Limit Overwhelm
Returning to routines after the holidays can feel stressful. Help manage overwhelm by:
Keeping schedules simple.
Prioritizing activities that bring joy or relaxation.
8. Access Resources
If someone in your family is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to school counselors, local mental health professionals, or hotlines for support.
Did You Know?
January is National Mentoring Month! Volunteering to mentor or encouraging your child to connect with a mentor can build confidence and create a sense of purpose for both mentee and mentor.
Story Time at the Holly Township Library
Story time is a wonderful opportunity for young children to develop their imaginations, language skills, and love for reading while enjoying engaging stories and activities. These sessions help foster literacy and social connections in a fun, engaging environment.
Join the Holly Township Library to nurture your child's curiosity and set the foundation for lifelong learning!
Every Day Counts, Every Broncho Matters!
Attending school every day is essential for academic success and well-being. Students who attend regularly are more likely to stay on track in their classes, build strong relationships, and develop important life skills. Research shows that students who miss just two days per month (about 18 days per year) are significantly more at risk of falling behind and facing challenges from kindergarten through high school graduation.
In fact, chronic absenteeism can lead to a decrease in literacy skills in the early years and lower graduation rates in high school.
We want to partner with you to support positive attendance for every student! If you need assistance with transportation, morning routines, or other concerns, please reach out to your child’s school counselor or social worker—they’re here to help.
Remember: Every Day Counts, Every Broncho Matters!
Check out the information from Attendance Works below!
