The Gift of Conflict - with Dr. Brittany Patterson - The A-Parently Podcast #10

The sound of your kids arguing.Your child coming home and telling you that they were bullied.Nails on a chalkboard for parents? Absolutely.ANDWhat if this conflict that your kids are experiencing was one of the biggest life-learning opportunities for them?Dr. Brittany Patterson joins the A-Parently Podcast to share her years of research and experience that has developed her "FIGHT skills" framework:Feelings (identify and calm)Identity (use strengths and resources)Goals (set and pursue)Healthy copingThoughts (self-love, confidence, persistence)This sounds hard - especially when high-stress moments and feelings and involved - but Dr. Patterson guides us through practical strategies that parents can employ right away.psst. It starts with you naming your feelings - it's THAT easy to begin this process!-Dr. Brittany Patterson is a Licensed Psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). She has served schools for more than a decade in various capacities and has specialized in school-based mental health services in underserved schools and communities since joining the UMSOM faculty in 2016. In her current role, Dr. Patterson provides training and technical assistance to diverse school stakeholders on the impact of trauma and strategies to create safe, healing environments for students.She is particularly passionate about identifying and building upon the strengths of youth and their communities to promote positive mental health and well-being. In fact, The FIGHT was inspired by five years of serving a Title I school in Baltimore City where she was consistently impressed by the gifts and talents of our “fighters” – youth often in trouble for difficulties related to behavioral or emotional distress. She found that invested adults, dedicated time, and ample skill building opportunities made a significant difference for the “fighters” and enabled many to not only survive but thrive!Beyond her professional dedication to schools, Dr. Patterson is a proud daughter, sister, auntie, and mommy! Her hobbies include spending time with her family over arts and crafts, food, outdoor sports, and reading. Ultimately, Dr. Patterson has one hope for all youth, including her own children:"You deserve safe spaces to learn and grow, full of opportunities to share what you know, and elevation of your talents for obstacles foreseen, ensuring accomplishment of every goal and unseen dream." –Dr. Brittany Patterson (2020)You can find Dr. Patterson's book "The Fight" here.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls