‘You want to help kids feel less helpless’

Today, psychology professor Wendy Grolnick is on campus. Tomorrow, she could be anywhere in the country. On this episode of Challenge. Change., Grolnick offers a glimpse into her work in disaster response. Since 2007, Grolnick has volunteered with the American Red Cross, using her clinical skills to help people recover and cope following tragic events. She has been dispatched to local fires and drownings as well as national disasters, including the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Grolnick has discovered that her expertise as a parenting researcher is an asset during times of chaos.

“I do a lot of work examining how parents can help their kids be motivated in school and other parts of life. Our lab studies what we call autonomy support — giving kids choices and helping them feel agency behind what they do,” Grolnick says. “In the aftermath of a disaster, having consistent routines again becomes really important … You want to help kids feel less helpless.”

Grolnick recommends the book “Between Parent and Child” by Haim Ginott for anyone who wants advice about successful parenting.

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Challenge. Change. is produced by Melissa Hanson and Andrew Hart for Clark University. Find other episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.