Brain Based Parenting

Send us a text

 Helping children discover a sense of purpose gives them direction, motivation, and a connection to something greater than themselves. It boosts mood, energy, and motivation, especially when they contribute meaningfully to their community. Purpose is built through realistic goals, service, and exploration—especially in supportive environments like faith communities. Even structured service can be transformative. Ultim...

Send us a text

This episode explores the concept of power in parent-child relationships and how understanding power dynamics can improve interactions with children, especially during crisis moments. We discuss why self-control is the greatest form of power and how sharing power appropriately with children helps them develop into successful adults.

Contact:
podcasts@calfarley.org

To Donate:
https://secure.calfarley....

Send us a text

We explore achievement as the third component of our Model of Leadership and Service, discussing how to foster confidence, build competence, and set appropriate goals for children who may identify more with failure than success.

Contact:
podcasts@calfarley.org

To Donate:
https://secure.calfarley.org/site/Donation2?3358.donation=form1&df_id=3358&mfc_pref=T

To Apply:

Send us a text

We explore the vital concept of belonging in child development and how it interconnects with a sense of safety, confidence, and overall wellbeing. Our expert panel shares personal stories and professional insights about what true belonging means and why humans fundamentally need connection to thrive.

Contact:
podcasts@calfarley.org

To Donate:
https://secure.calfarley.org/site...

Send us a text

Safety forms the foundation of child development, serving as the brain's primary focus before learning or growth can occur. 

• Your brain's number one job is to keep you safe, not to think or problem-solve
• Children's behaviors often express their feelings of safety or lack thereof

Contact:
podcasts@calfarley.org

To Donate:
https://secure.calfarley.org/site...

Send us a text

Cal Farley's Staff Development team introduces their Model of Leadership and Service, a framework focusing on six universal needs that everyone requires: safety, belonging, achievement, power, purpose, and adventure.

• Six basic human needs form the foundation for Cal Farley's approach to helping troubled youth
• Unconditional and restorative relationships are key to meeting children's need...

Send us a text

Disorganized attachment develops when children experience unpredictable caregiving, creating a template where they can't anticipate how adults will respond and must constantly adjust their behavior to stay safe.

• Disorganized attachment characterized by unpredictable caregiving—loving one day, absent the next, angry another
• Children develop hypervigilance, constantly assessing situations and peopl...

Send us a text

We explore ambivalent attachment, where caregivers' anxiety and overprotection create uncertainty in children, preventing them from developing confidence and decision-making skills. This parenting approach, often seen in helicopter parenting, stems from good intentions but teaches children the world is unsafe.

• Ambivalent attachment develops when caregivers are anxious, overwhelmed or uncertain in their...

Send us a text

Our ongoing exploration of attachment styles focuses on avoidant attachment, examining how it develops when caregivers consistently fail to respond to children's needs. We unpack why this attachment style, which often makes children appear self-sufficient and well-behaved, actually undermines their emotional development and capacity for meaningful relationships.

• Avoidant attachment develops when caregi...

Send us a text

Secure attachment forms the foundation for a child's healthy development and shapes how they view themselves, others, and the world. We explore the four key attributes caregivers need to foster secure attachment: being present, attentive, attuned, and responsive.

• A secure attachment relationship is defined as one that's "free from danger or risk," creating a healthy and safe space for ch...

Send us a text

Attachment forms the foundation of all human relationships, beginning with our earliest bonds to caregivers and shaping how we connect with others throughout our lives. The quality of care we receive in our first three years creates a template through which we view all future relationships, determining whether we see the world as safe and trustworthy or dangerous and unpredictable.

• Attachment is the primary...

Send us a text

We finish our series on discipline by focusing on key elements often overlooked: supervision, meaningful conversations, apologies, and counterproductive approaches. These aspects create a comprehensive framework for effective, connection-based discipline.

• Supervision connects to discipline by helping catch issues early and modeling appropriate behaviors
• Effective supervision requires clear communicati...

Send us a text

Discipline isn't about punishment but about teaching, and when it comes to serious behaviors, individualized care becomes even more critical. Balancing increased structure with increased nurture creates the optimal environment for helping children learn from their mistakes and grow.

• Each child has different needs, and fair treatment means responding to individual needs rather than identical treatment

Send us a text

Discipline doesn't have to mean punishment; the most effective approach focuses on understanding the root causes behind less significant behaviors and addressing them with connection rather than correction.

• Curiosity is essential in addressing less significant behaviors - take time to understand what's happening beneath the surface
• Physical needs like sleep, nutrition, and exercise directly ...

Send us a text

Discipline is often misunderstood as punishment, when it's actually about teaching and guiding children through boundaries and relationship. We explore how effective discipline builds cooperation rather than forcing compliance.
• Discipline's true purpose is teaching, not punishment or making children feel bad
• Force creates only temporary compliance, not lasting behavioral change
• Children&apo...

Send us a text

Parenting your adult children after 25 requires shifting from director to supporter as they become truly independent and often more receptive to your wisdom and experience.

• Children over 25 are more reflective and insightful about their own experiences
• Clear communication is essential when setting boundaries with adult children
• Support means encouraging good choices rather than enabling dependen...

Send us a text

Parenting doesn't end at 18—it evolves into supporting young adults who have adult freedom but still-developing brains through age 25.

Contact:
podcasts@calfarley.org

To Donate:
https://secure.calfarley.org/site/Donation2?3358.donation=form1&df_id=3358&mfc_pref=T

To Apply:
https://apply.workable.com/cal-farleys-boys-ranch/j/25E1226091/

For More Inform...

Send us a text

Parenting is a journey of constant evolution that shifts from holding hands to letting go wisely, building a foundation of trust that stretches across any distance. 
Parenting doesn't end at graduation—it just evolves as your role shifts to meet their changing needs

If you would like more information about Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, are interested in employment, would like information about placin...