The Science of Well-Being for Parents Course Design with Dr. Laurie Santos

Course Overview and Goals

• 💡 This course, "The Science of Well-Being for Parents," is designed to help parents navigate the challenges of raising children by providing evidence-based strategies.
• 🎯 The aim is to help parents achieve more joy and less stress, focusing on what truly matters rather than simply doing more.
• 📍 Filmed with parents nationwide, each module features research-backed lessons, real parent questions, and practical, science-grounded expert advice.

Module: Managing Time and Cultivating Time Affluence

• ⏰ This module explores how to balance work and family life effectively.
• 🌍 Expert Helen Russell shares insights from Nordic countries on how they protect free time and raise happier, healthier children.

Module: Prioritizing Self-Care and Compassion

• ❤️ Experts Glennon Doyle and Abby Womback discuss the importance of effective self-care and finding more fun.
• 🤝 They encourage parents to look inward and show more compassion to both their children and themselves.

Module: Navigating Negative Emotions and Setting Boundaries

• ⚖️ Dr. Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist, guides parents on dealing with guilt, shame, and anger.
• ✅ The module focuses on how to set boundaries with children while still validating their feelings.

Module: Fighting Stress and Calming the Nervous System

• 🧘‍♀️ This section delves into the physiological effects of stress and teaches breathing techniques to calm the nervous system.
• 🧠 Dr. Jenny Tates offers science-backed strategies to reframe stress and prevent it from dominating the day.

Module: Children's Academic Pressures and Motivation

• 📚 Dr. David Joerger explores the science of motivation in children, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the process over the product.
• 🚀 The module provides guidance on supporting children's learning without resorting to helicopter parenting.

Module: Technology and Social Media in the Family

• 📱 Experts Jonathan Haidt and Jill Murphy offer practical strategies for creating tech-free zones and setting healthier boundaries around screen time.
• 🔗 The goal is to help families feel more connected and less overwhelmed by technology.

Course Structure and Engagement

• 🚶‍♀️ Learners can choose to progress through the course step-by-step, like Yale students, or engage in an allocard approach, jumping to specific modules as needed.
• 🛠️ The course is designed to be a reliable resource, offering science-rooted support for parents whenever they need it.