Interrupting the Story (ITS)
On this page, you’ll find the ITS book’s extra resources for parents:
* Worksheets
* Useful reading
Worksheets
1. The Delta Quadrant Storyworld Vortex (download) – for working out where we are when we’re experiencing the feels.
2. The Do It Or Dump It worksheet (download) – for prioritising.
3. The Plot Twist Trajectory (download) – Steps for managing the feels.
4. The Warp Core Checklist (download) – a starting point for working out what your Warp Core Themes might be.
5. The Miniature Worksheet (download) – a pocket-sized version of worksheets, for quick reference.
MICROSTORES to download and compile
VIEW it
Download INSTRUCTIONS (Folded)
The Plot Twist Trajectory: Tips for managing The Feels when you’re off in outer space somewhere is a 7-point Micro-Handbook that you can have easily on hand for those moments when you need a quick reminder about how to manage The Feels.
Download INSTRUCTIONS (Folded)
The Plot Twist Trajectory for Pros is for taking it to level 11. If you think you’ve nailed the trajectory, why not download the pro version, which allows you to look at an icon and swing into action without all those bothersome words on the page.
Books
Below are a few books I’ve found useful in my quest to be a more mindful parent.
Decoding your 21st century daughter:
The anxious parent’s guide to raising a teenage girl
Dr Helen Wright
One of the big challenges for 21st century parents with digital natives is how to manage social media and screen-time. This book addresses these issues, specifically with girls in mind. It’s also a really great overview of girls’ needs and drivers, written by someone who’s taught and worked with teenaged girls specifically, for many years.
Teen Stages:
Year-by-year approach to understanding your ever-changing teen
Elizabeth and Ken Mellor
This is a great book for understanding what you can expect of your teen at various stages of their teen journey. I’ve found that when I know what I can expect of my child, it’s easier to set boundaries and to be confident about decisions.
I just love that this book is so positive and loving and reassuring, while being practical about when to step in and when to step out.
It’s Complicated:
The Social Lives of Networked Teens
danah boyd
boyd is the one who coined the phrase ‘networked publics’. She’s a sociologist who has a refreshingly unflustered approach to what can be a minefield of ‘feels’ for parents. I found it helpful to have some sociological context around what our kids (and we) are doing when we’re connecting online. She demystifies teens’ behaviours and reminds us that, at heart, we’re all geared towards community so we need to stop being afraid of communicating with our kids … and with other people’s kids.
Crucial Conversations:
Tools for talking when stakes are high
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler
This is a great book to use in tandem with mindfulness. It is (as it promises) full of great tools for skilful conversations in emotionally charged situations. The tools offered are as useful for talking to teens as much as they are for work and other life situations.
Boundaries with kids
Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend
This is a good book for the basics about boundaries: why they’re necessary, and how to set them. It was recommended to me by a friend whose parenting style is really inspiring. The book has a Christian underpinning, so there is God-talk, which you can take or leave.
Other Resources
Byron Katie has some freely downloadable worksheets on her website, and there is a PDF for children (and an adult version!) which may be useful as a step-by-step inquiry for when we are believing our unhelpful thoughts.