News from The RADish Ranch
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Greetings!

Olympic athletes are the best in the world, taking what us ordinary humans can do and turning it into a whole new level of greatness. They excel in their sports and dedicate their lives - their time, efforts, and energy - to being the best that they can possibly be.

They work and practice until they're worn out and exhausted... and then they get up and do it all again.

The results? Confidence, pride in their accomplishments, and the knowledge that they can accomplish whatever they put their mind to.

Therapeutic Parenting is the Olympian equivalent of parenting.

Therapeutic parenting isn't "just" parenting; it's so much more than that. Therapeutic parents aren't "just" parents; they are healers, trauma workers, therapy specialists, researchers, and more.

Take pride in being an Olympian Parent and take care of yourself - you're the best in the world. ♥

Enjoy!
Karen Poitras
President & Founder
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Training

Take time to train to be a Therapeutic Parent. It isn't something that comes naturally for most people and it takes training and learning to understand how best to help your child.

  • Find some great podcasts or webinars to listen to.

  • Get books or audiobooks about attachment disorder, brain development, trauma, and bonding.

  • Practice therapeutic techniques (behaviour interventions, phrases, etc.) on another adult to get comfortable with them.

  • Find a therapist who works with RAD and does trauma work for your child.

  • Find a therapist of life coach to help you stay regulated and sane while parenting.
Taking a Break - from Life

"People who go to the Olympics don’t just love the sport they’re competing in — they live it, and often dedicate most of their life toward trying to reach their goal of winning an Olympic medal.

USA gymnast Simone Biles has previously said that she trains for 32 hours a week, with one day off. Gymnast Gabby Douglas has said she trains from 8 a.m. to noon, takes a break for lunch, then continues training until dinner." (hellogiggles.com)

Olympic (therapeutic) Parenting is a full time job. You live and breathe it.

The biggest take away here: Athletes take a day off - every week! They take breaks during the day - every day! To be an effective parent you need regular breaks in the form of respite care and daily quiet time.
Eat, Sleep, and Exercise like an Olympian

Olympic athletes take care of their bodies to be the best they can be.

Olympian parents need to take care of their bodies, too.

Eating right: Fill your body with healthy, clean foods that will boost you immune system, give you energy, and help you feel your best.

Sleeping right: Therapeutic parenting is exhausting physically, emotionally, and mentally. Parents need to be getting 8 hours of sleep - actual sleeping time. Go to bed early, set up a bedtime routine to help you relax, get respite when you can to allow you to get a couple of really good nights of sleep each month.

Exercising right: Take time each day to stretch out your body, go for a walk, jump on the mini trampoline, run on the treadmill, or practice some yoga. Getting your body moving will help with physical and mental fatigue and boost your sense of well-being. If you can do it outside and get some fresh air - even better! 5 minutes a day is a great place to start (or stay :D).
Benefits of Mental Preparation

Prepare yourself mentally for this Olympian Parenting. It's exhausting and draining - be prepared!

1. Assess your current mental game.
  • What are your mental strengths and weaknesses?

2. Select 1-2 mental skills that would benefit your overall performance the most.
  • Increased confidence?
  • Managing fear of failure?
  • Improving focus?
  • Taking your practice to competition?
  • Trust in your skills?

3. Create a training plan.
  • How will you go about developing these mental skills?
  • How much time will you dedicate to mental training?
  • Will you seek the expert advice from a mental training or mental game coach?
Endurance

The definition of endurance says a lot:

  1. The fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.
  2. An event that takes place over a long distance or otherwise demands great physical stamina.

Olympian Parenting is like the Olympics - you train and practice for years. You enter into it for the long haul. It's months and years of training and hard work and progress and healing steps. Stay strong.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due
season we will reap, if we do not give up." -Galatians 6:9

Healing will happen. Peace will come.
Therapeutic Olympian Parents all deserves Gold Medals

Whether you feel like you deserve it or not, feel like you have have earned it or not, or feel like you're ahead of the game or way, waay behind - this Gold Medal is for you, Moms and Dads.
And a bonus thought:

Every therapeutic home needs PIZZAZZ. Don't forget to add some to your day to help boost your confidence as a parent, engage your child in bonding behaviours, and keep the laughter in your home.
This podcast is all about listening to the real-life stories of parents, children, and professionals about life with
Reactive Attachment Disorder.

New episodes release every Tuesday!
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“Behold, I will bring health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.”
Jeremiah 33:6
Box 58, Mariapolis, MB. R0K 1K0