Autonomy 911…411
“What if…there was a place where we could go, right in the moment, and get help with “What do I say and do right now?’” we wondered aloud one day. “Like a lifeline or a trusted advisor when you feel like you’re needing one.”
In true teacher fashion, if it doesn’t exist, we build it.
Autonomy 911 isn’t here to have all the answers. As parents and educators ourselves, we are humble and know that growing littler people is a PROCESS.
Our intent is to share with you what we’ve learned throughout our 40 combined years of parenting and 53 combined years of teaching hundreds of kiddos who are as close as you can get without being our biological children.
In these experiences, we’ve discovered that we CAN’T give our kids certain things. We can’t give them confidence or authentic self-esteem. They need to build it themselves. They need to experience discomfort, feel and manage the emotions that go with it and problem-solve for themselves. Our role is to support them - empower them - to practice, fail, struggle, figure, and succeed on their own.
We’re their safety net, not their ride across the tightrope.
Guess what? The more our kids manage bumps in the road on their own, the more they will develop strong confidence and competence. All of those little problem-solving moments ground and support their emotional well-being.
We’ve crafted a series of practical ways to center empowerment in the heat of the moment. You know, those moments where we are reminded that we really don’t have control over what they do and say:
Tommy goes boneless in Target.
Susan refuses to pick up her room, despite the many reminders.
Jose won’t pick up his pencil to work without you helping with every step.
Gia is failing geometry…again.
Nico and his dorm roommate are complete opposites and it is tense.
What do we do and say…when our kids are uncomfortable..and it’s making US uncomfortable?
Autonomy 911 will get you started. Know that each downloadable PDF is meant to be personalized. Don’t like using the word “anxious?” Use nervous, worried, or uncomfortable instead. You know your child best.
Each product focuses on a specific challenge your child might encounter and a corresponding LONG RANGE view. Remember, learning is a process - it takes time, effort, and practice. Challenging behaviors aren’t a quick fix. And that’s OK. Seeing that long-term goal actually helps us focus there too, rather than trying to put out a short-term fire.
Know that we’ve provided language and actions you can take IN THE MOMENT. Adjust and adapt as they fit the situation, your child, and you. They follow a research-backed “recipe.” Speak to make your child feel seen and safe, add a confidence piece, and end with an open-ended question that nudges them to take the next step. Yes, easier said than done. Give yourself time and space to practice and grow. We’ve included possible actions that empower your child in the moment, too.
The latter half of each digital download focuses on what we can say and do after those tricky moments pass. This means finding a quiet minute where you can lean into and teach from the experience. Research shows that spending time reflecting on the prior moments and planning for the next ones are crucial factors in growth.
Caregivers, we’ve got options for the Littles (early pre-school - kindergarten), Middles (first through eighth grades), and Almost Adults (eighth grade through collegiate). Scale up or down depending on your needs.
Educators, you have an additional section to promote clear communication about these teachable moments. Just as we do with parents, we use an empowerment lens, focusing on how students are building their toolkits. We know the strategies you help them build are both a short and long-term investment. You are rock stars!
We believe the Autonomy 911 tool is helpful because it’s not just a list. Each includes narration you can personalize and visualize, as well as actionable steps you can take that help our amazing kiddos build their skill sets for life.
We’re so excited to share these tools - Head on over to our store and dig in!
Jen and Jewellyn
