Annual Parenting Symposium

BY LAURA GRAY, LOWER SCHOOL DEAN and LAURA SPAULDING, STAFF WRITER

A common question asked by current TJS parents is “How do we support our child’s growth when they are not at school?” What they mean is, “we are thrilled for the academic and social potential brought out in our children at school, but can someone show us how to parent in a way that this same potential comes out at home.” The reality is that parenting these days is anything but straightforward. When you add learning differences and disabilities to the mix, this only adds to the complexity and unpredictability of raising children today. Over 40 current TJS parents showed up on campus on a Saturday for our third annual Parenting Symposium and a chance to learn and connect with other parents.

Laura Gray, Lower School Dean at The Joy School. — Laura Gray

Two of our own Dean’s opened the morning by leading an intimate and informative discussion titled “From Awkward to Empowered: Guiding Your Child Through Puberty.” Laura Gray, Dean of Student and Family Support, and Rachel Wiliams, Dean of Faculty, shared how to support children with learning differences through the physical, emotional, and social changes of puberty. Some of the most helpful moments were sparked by impromptu questions and advice shared between parents, all navigating similar challenges related to raising adolescents with learning differences. Among the shared laughter and tears, the deans also offered practical tips to help parents navigate an often-awkward stage in a way that turns it into a time of growth, confidence, and connection.

Dean of Student and Family Support, Kate Murphy, and Instructional Technologist, Christine Dinh, offered a chance to explore the impact of technology on children with learning differences. They led parents in a seminar titled “Digital Drama & Online Armor: Equipping Parents for Today’s Tech.” Conversations explored the challenges kids face in today’s digital world and offered practical strategies to help them navigate online conflicts, set healthy boundaries, and stay safe online. This session equipped parents with tools to guide and protect their children in the ever-changing tech landscape.

The Joy School’s Speech Language Pathologists, Meredith Hibbetts and Jackie Crow, closed out the morning with a session titled “From Chaos to Checklists: Executive Function Tips for Homework Success.” They set out to answer the questions: “Does homework time ever feel like a battle at your house?” Parents loved the chance to share stories about raising children who struggle getting started or actually finishing tasks, and they were offered practical strategies and simple language to ease homework stress and set their children up for success.

Saturday was just one more example of how The Joy School supports entire families as it enables children with learning differences to reach their academic and social potential.

For more information about The Joy School, join us for a Parent Tour or visit our website.