Helping Children Navigate Loneliness with Dr. Heather Thompson Day

Send us Fan Mail5-Minute Parenting welcomes Dr. Heather Thompson Day to the show to talk about her children's book Can I Sit Here?, co-written with her daughter, about a troubling experience her daughter had trying to make friends in a new school. Dr. Heather talks openly about her daughter's experience, shining light and wisdom on the issues of loneliness, isolation, and bullying in young children. Questions covered in this episode include:  What inspired you and your daughter to write Can I Sit Here?, and why did you feel this was an important story to tell at this time? Your daughter’s personal experience is at the heart of this book. Please tell us about her experience and share with us how you both processed and were affected by that situation. What are some common misconceptions that parents and other caregivers have about childhood loneliness or bullying, and how can those misconceptions be addressed?How can a child’s faith help them navigate feelings of loneliness and the fear of not fitting in socially? I love to offer our listeners practical advice, please share a few examples of the kinds of phrases or comments parents could include in conversations with their children about their identity in Christ and why it’s important to engage in positive self-talk. What additional advice would you give to adults who are watching a child struggle to make friends in a new environment (e.g., school, church, their neighborhood, etc.)? Are you working on other projects you’d like our audience to know about? BIO: Dr. Heather is a bestselling Christian author, interdenominational speaker, and the founder of It Is Day Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to training churches, leaders, and laypeople in gospel-centered communication. Her children's picture book comes alongside hurting kids and shows them that they’re not alone. Inspired by a situation her daughter once found herself in, this book aims to help kids who are struggling with loneliness and isolation find the confidence to be brave and make new friends. Helpful Links:Heather’s WebsiteHeather’s InstagramHeather’s FacebookBook Buy Link*Are you looking for fun, gospel-inspired merch for your family + discounted picture books for your kids and grandkids? Visit my Etsy store at KarensBooksandMoreBook 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer! 🌈Love this podcast episode? Please leave a positive rating/review and share this episode with a friend ❤️Visit our websites at: https://www.karenferg.com/https://www.sandrakaychambers.com/ Find our books on Amazon:Karen Ferguson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Sandra Chambers: ...