Navigating the New School Year with the Three Pillars of Parenting by Design

Hello Parents,

With the start of school comes a whirlwind of activities—homework, sports practices, and after-school events. It’s a lot to juggle, and finding the right way to connect with your child can feel overwhelming.

That’s where Parenting by Design can help. This approach focuses on understanding your child’s unique personality and using that insight to make your parenting more effective.

Let’s break down the three pillars of this approach and how they can make this busy season a bit smoother.

1. Aware: Get to Know Their Personality The first step is understanding your child’s personality. Are they energetic and outgoing, or more reserved? Do they love to lead or prefer to collaborate? Knowing these traits helps you tailor your approach to fit their needs.

Example: If you have one child who thrives on social interaction and needs lots of encouragement (a high I), and another who is more methodical and values structure (a high C), you’ll know to give your social child plenty of praise and your detail-oriented child clear, organized instructions.

2. Adapt: Adjust Your Approach Once you know your child’s personality, adapt how you interact with them. This doesn’t mean changing who you are but connecting with them in a way that resonates with their individual needs.

Example: For a high D (Dominant) child who loves challenges, let them make decisions and take charge of certain tasks. For a high S (Supportive) child who seeks stability, focus on creating a calm environment and involving them in family decisions.

3. Apply: Use Effective Strategies With awareness and adaptation in mind, apply strategies that fit your child’s personality. This means using techniques that help them excel and feel supported.

Example: For a high C child, set up a detailed routine or checklist to keep them on track. For a high I child, incorporate fun, creative activities into their routine to keep them engaged and excited.

Why This Helps

As the school year gets into full swing, using the Aware, Adapt, and Apply pillars can make a big difference. By tuning into your child’s personality, adjusting your approach, and using strategies that fit their needs, you create a more supportive and effective parenting environment.

Embracing your child’s individuality can turn the hectic school season into a time of growth and connection.

Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!

Warmly,

Mindy

Hi, I'm Mindy. I am Neuro-Trained Parenting Coach and Parenting Blueprint Practitioner, just a fancy way of saying I use my understanding of brain development and personality styles to help parents relate better to their kids. What I am most proud of though is raising four children to adulthood.

If you are curious to learn more about DISC personalities and how understanding them can improve your relationship with your kids, download my Free Parenting Blueprint Toolkit.