Newsletter

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Community Members,

I know this is a hectic time of year! Remember you can't do it all and that's ok. Really! See below for our favorite tips for managing holiday stress as a parent.

Lastly, are your children receiving new technology this holiday season? Or are you concerned about maintaining balance with tech use over the winter break? If so, we included excellent resources from Common Sense Media on setting up parental controls & establishing boundaries around tech use.

Here's what's coming up in January:

• Tues 1/14 Managing Stress as a Parent at Highland Park El 6-8pm
• Thurs 1/16 Conscious Discipline Part 1at Finley Farms El 6-8pm
• Thurs 1/30 Conscious Discipline Part 2 at Finley Farms El 6-8pm

Details for each of these events are linked down below.

With gratitude,

GPS Parent University

1. Prioritize What Matters

• Focus on meaningful traditions instead of trying to do it all.
• Ask your family what activities are most important to them and let go of the rest.

2. Plan Ahead

• Create a holiday schedule to avoid last-minute chaos.
• Set realistic expectations about what can be accomplished.

3. Stick to a Budget

• Decide on spending limits for gifts, events, and meals, and stick to them.
• Remember, meaningful gestures often matter more than expensive gifts.

4. Practice Self-Care

• Take time for yourself, even if it’s just a quiet walk or a few minutes of deep breathing.
• Make sleep, hydration, and healthy eating priorities to stay energized.

5. Involve the Kids

• Let children help with decorating, cooking, or wrapping gifts to lighten your load.
• Teaching kids to take part in preparations can also build lasting memories.

6. Simplify Gift-Giving

• Consider experiences or shared activities instead of physical gifts.
• Use the “four-gift rule”: something they want, need, wear, and read.

7. Set Boundaries

• It’s okay to say no to extra events or activities that feel overwhelming.
• Protect your family’s downtime and stick to routines as much as possible.

8. Manage Expectations

• Acknowledge that things might not go perfectly—and that’s okay.
• Focus on the joy of being together rather than achieving “Pinterest-perfect” holidays.

9. Encourage Gratitude

• Take time to reflect on the things you and your family are grateful for.
• Involve children in giving back, like donating toys or volunteering, to instill gratitude.

10. Stay Present

• Resist the urge to over-schedule or multitask.
• Spend quality time with your family, focusing on connection rather than perfection.

The holidays are about creating memories, not stressing over every detail. By managing your stress, you’ll be able to enjoy the season with joy and intention! ✨

With the holiday season upon us, many children may receive new devices, gadgets, or games as gifts. Set up and manage new tech in partnership with your kids by checking out our guide to parental controls. Also consider setting a screen-use schedule and talking with your kids about their tech habits. Remember, there's no magic number when it comes to how much time your kids spend on screens. What's more important is the quality of kids' content, how it fits into your family's lifestyle, and how your kids engage with it.

Get on the same page as a family about your tech use with the Family Tech Planner. Available in English & Spanish.

• https://www.commonsensemedia.org/family-tech-planners?utm_source=face

Cómo manejar el uso de las pantallas y los controles parentales:

Con la llegada de la temporada navideña, muchos niños pueden recibir nuevos dispositivos, aparatos o juegos como regalo. Configura y administra la nueva tecnología junto con tus hijos consultando nuestra guía de controles parentales. También considera establecer un cronograma de uso de dispositivos y hablar con tus hijos sobre sus hábitos de uso de la tecnología. Recuerda que no hay un número que funcione por igual para todos en lo que respecta a cuánto tiempo deben pasar tus hijos frente a las pantallas. Lo más importante es la calidad del contenido para niños, cómo se adapta al estilo de vida de tu familia y cómo interactúan tus hijos con ese contenido.

Last May we held our first Parent University Community Resource Fair at Greenfield Junior High! Families were able to come learn about 30 different programs & agencies that support families in our area. We also had a DJ, crafts, games, raffle prizes every 15 mins, & cold treats from Frios Popsicles & Kona Ice. We are looking forward to doing it again, February 22nd 9am-12pm at Campo Verde High School. We are currently looking for excellent community resources to participate, food trucks, and raffle items. If you know of an amazing community resource, food truck, or would like to donate a raffle item, please email us at parentuniversity@gilbertschools.net

Agencies or programs interested in participating can also apply here:

https://forms.gle/f1T9NLos8Qon3h1g6