Jodie Maddox

I PARTNER with parents and schools.

I EMPOWER them to make decisions within their sphere of influence.

I PROVIDE reliable support, with effective strategies, to gain desired results.

Email jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com

Facebook Jodie Maddox - Parent Coach & Consultant

Instagram - jodiemaddoxparentcoach

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Cocoa Time!!! I love this time of year. Watching classic Christmas movies while sipping on yummy hot cocoa, and Christmas carols playing in the background everywhere we go. I also love connecting with family and friends to celebrate new seasonal memories and to make intentional time for our favorite family traditions.

This time of year can be filled with joy and positive energy for our children, but it can also become overly stimulating for kids who are naturally more introverted or are not comfortable in a large group. Keeping in mind the strengths and needs of our children when adding events to the family schedule is just as important as trying to "get in" one more family tradition. Yes, this is an active time of year, but this can also be a good time to slow down and enjoy this special time of year as well.

We can also use this extra "together" time to reinforce important social skills and teach kids how to make and keep friends. In this issue, we will review important strategies for children and teens to help develop lasting friendships. Having one good friend can go a long way to help foster confidence, independence, empathy, and self-awareness.

Happy Holidays, and warm greetings to each of you as you plan, prioritize, and play with the ones you love.

With A Grateful Heart,

Jodie Maddox Parent Coach and Education Consultant

Helping Kids Build Lasting Friendships

In an era where technology often takes precedence, fostering face-to-face friendships among children has become a priority for both parents and educators. Here are helpful tips and strategies to help caregivers navigate the journey of friendship-building for their kids.

1. Foster your child's strengths in social settings.

2. Help kids learn empathy.

3. Teach kids how to be flexible.

4. Lead by Example. Stay away from gossip and negative conversations about family and friends.

5. Practice, role-play, and predict tough social situations.

6. Foster and honor open transparent communication.

7. Organize playdates with peers who have the same interests.

8. Address friendship challenges with your child, before consulting others.

9. Respect individuality, teach kids that everyone is different and this is good!

10. Teach kids how to apologize authentically, and commit to changing their behavior.

To read the entire article and to gain more details, check out my blog!

By incorporating these strategies into daily life, we can play a pivotal role in helping children develop the social skills necessary for building strong, lasting friendships.

How regulating your child’s nervous system impacts their life!

Did you know that the vagus nerve is a crucial part of the parasympathetic nervous system, often known as the "rest and digest" mode? For children, it plays a vital role in regulating their heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, immune response, focus, mood, behavior, and so much more!

When the vagus nerve is functioning optimally, it helps create a sense of calm and relaxation in their bodies. However, sometimes the vagal tone can be low, especially in children dealing with chronic illness or stress. This can lead to a chronic state of "fight or flight," hindering their healing process and overall well-being.

As caregivers, we hold the key to empowering our children with the tools to nurture their gut-brain axis and support their vagus nerve, enabling them to thrive in their journey of well-being. The good thing is that there's a wealth of gentle yet powerful tools to strengthen their vagus nerve and regulate their nervous system. Simple activities like the ones mentioned in the graphic can work wonders!

Fostering and Developing Executive Functioning Skills

You asked for it, so I have created a series of short videos to help parents understand and foster executive functioning skills for their children. In each video, parents and caregivers will learn different strategies to help children manage their emotions and impulses, get organized, be more self-aware, develop coping skills, and more! These videos are especially helpful for parents with children who have ADHD, anxiety, OCD, ODD, or who struggle with emotional regulation and control.

Give the gift of peace and calm to a parent you love! Parent Coaching is an excellent gift and an investment in your family. I can help change your family dynamic in just 10 short weeks. If you are interested in a free consultation, or to gain more insight into the coaching process, contact me today.

A Professional Perspective

An Open Conversation with A Child Psychologist and Parent Coach

We are so grateful for the response to our Facebook events! Thank you for your support, we are so pleased the topics are connecting with each of you! Our last session for this year is December 14th. Check us out on Facebook for a lively discussion!

Join Dr. Tish Taylor - Licensed Child Psychologist and Education Consultant, along with Mrs. Jodie Maddox - Special Educator, School Administrator, Parent Coach, and Education Consultant

Did you miss a session? No problem, all sessions are posted on my YouTube channel!

Need a thinking partner? Interested in having another professional on your team? Do you think you can benefit from an outside opinion? I am here for you. I am passionate about providing instructional support, helping with the strategic planning process, or simply providing 1:1 instructional coaching for teachers. My experience in Special Education and as a building principal at every grade level K-12 can help you and your team. Good news, services can be accessed with title money! Contact me today for a free consultation - jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com

Let's work together to make a difference for teachers and kids! For a description and full list of topics I am currently offering click here.

Email: jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
Website: jodiemaddoxicoach.com
Phone: (913)908-8220
Facebook: facebook.com/Jodiemaddox-ParentCoach&consultant