We are thrilled to announce that Shannon McNamara, LICSW, has joined Connective Parenting as Associate Director. With over 20 years of experience in clinical social work and a deep commitment to helping families, Shannon is well-prepared to lead several key initiatives that will expand our programs and reach even more parents and professionals.
Shannon’s Journey to Connective Parenting
Before joining Connective Parenting, Shannon spent 8 years working in child and family social work. She discovered Connective Parenting through the When Your Kids Push Your Buttons program and was drawn to its focus on helping parents understand their own reactions, rather than simply trying to “fix” the child. Over the past 12 years, Shannon has seen this approach transform her own relationship with her three children. As an instructor for 8 years, she has helped countless families do the same. Now, as Associate Director, she is excited to work alongside her mentor, Bonnie Harris, to expand the impact of Connective Parenting.
What’s Next: New Initiatives and Expanded Reach
In her new role, Shannon will expand several key areas:
- Train-the-Trainer Professional Institute: Shannon will grow our professional development programs, training educators, mental health professionals, and parent outreach teams to bring trauma-informed parenting techniques to communities. This initiative will increase the number of trained professionals who can support families using Connective Parenting principles.
- Expanded Parenting Programs: Shannon will also oversee the growth of our parenting programs, ensuring they are accessible and effective for parents from all walks of life. From virtual book clubs to in-person workshops, our goal is to meet parents wherever they are.
- Community Partnerships: Shannon aims to work more closely with schools, mental health organizations, and other community partners to expand the reach of Connective Parenting. We are excited to collaborate with organizations that focus on children and families, allowing us to bring our trauma-informed parenting programs to a wider audience.
- Developmental Curriculum: Shannon will lead the development of new curriculum that focuses on the developmental needs of children at different stages, helping parents tailor their approach based on their child’s age and growth.
Connecting Through Writing and Podcasting
Parents can expect to see more writing and social media content from Shannon in the coming months. She is passionate about fostering a deeper understanding of what drives connection with children and helping families build strong relationships. In addition, we are exploring the possibility of launching a new podcast, focusing on understanding children’s perspectives—what sparks joy, curiosity, anxiety, and hope in them—and how parents can bridge the gap between their assumptions and their child’s reality.
Our popular podcast Tell Me About Your Kids, hosted by Bonnie Harris, continues to provide insightful conversations about parenting challenges and how to overcome them. Be sure to tune in on Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts, for valuable advice on fostering better connections with your kids.
Bonnie Harris: Continuing Leadership
Bonnie Harris, the founder of Connective Parenting, will continue in her role as Director. She remains deeply involved in working with parents to help them find fulfillment in parenting. Her extensive knowledge and passion for this work continue to guide our community. For those interested in booking Bonnie for personalized parent coaching and/or deeper counseling, she is available to connect! Contact Bonnie Harris at bh@bonnieharris.com for inquiries or book directly at https://calendly.com/bhsessions
Upcoming Events
We’re excited to offer several new opportunities for parents and professionals this fall and winter:
- Virtual Book Clubs: Join us for virtual book clubs on Bonnie’s books, When Your Kids Push Your Buttons and Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids: 8 Principles for Raising Kids You’ll Love to Live With. These gatherings are great opportunities to dive deep into our foundational parenting principles and connect with other parents.
- Effective Parenting Workshop: In January, we will offer Bonnie’s Effective Parenting Workshop for families with children aged 0-5 in Washington, DC. This workshop provides early parenting strategies that foster connection and understanding.
- When Your Kids Push Your Buttons Classes: Our flagship When Your Kids Push Your Buttons class will return with in-person sessions in Washington, DC, and New Hampshire. This class helps parents understand their own triggers and build better communication and empathy with their children.
Get Involved: Join Our Community
Connective Parenting is grounded in an understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma-informed care. Our approach is ideal for parents, grandparents, guardians, and teachers who want to understand why they react to their child’s behavior in certain ways and how they can respond with more compassion and connection while holding strong boundaries and limits at the same time. We invite you to join our community by signing up for our newsletter for the latest updates on events, classes, and resources.
If you’re interested in bringing our parenting programs to your school or community, or if you’d like to explore personalized parent coaching, please reach out to us at info@connectiveparenting.com. We look forward to partnering with you to build stronger, more connected families!