Together, parents, caregivers, and community members spent the evening exploring essential topics that shape young minds and family relationships, including:
✔ What is psychiatry and who practices it?
✔ Relationships are healing
✔ Shame and guilt
✔ Emotions are everything
✔ The dilemmas of “growing up” vs. “parenting” in the modern age
Dr. Ali offered both insight and compassion as he discussed the importance of understanding children’s behavior as a form of communication—a signal driven by the need for emotional connection. When we listen to that communication, we create opportunities to respond with empathy and build stronger, healthier relationships.
He also shared what he believes to be the essence of good parenting:
- Unconditional Love: As developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner famously said, “Somebody’s got to be crazy about that kid. That’s number one. First, last, and always.” Be crazy about your kid—it gives them wings.
- Empathy: Caretakers must learn to decenter from their own needs and focus on the child’s experience. Every parent has needs, but how we prioritize them determines whether we become a resource or a roadblock in our child’s development.
- Self-Awareness: “Children who encounter difficulties or become symptomatic create guilt and shame in their caretakers.” Parenting is challenging, and it’s okay to feel out of your depth—reach out and get support when you need it.
- Focus on the Relationship: The bond between caretaker and child remains vital well beyond early childhood. “Relationships are healing. The better your relationship with your child, the better your child will do.”
Island Health Foundation is proud to bring educational opportunities like this to our community. Conversations like these strengthen not just families, but our entire community’s commitment to mental well-being.
To watch Dr. Ali’s full presentation, please click here: https://youtu.be/YGQKtDtKWTg