Parent’s Handbook – Walk Forward in Bravery – Wodakota – Life Skills for Dakota Teens

This handbook accompanies our Wolakota – Life Skills for Teens program, designed to support parents during the challenging adolescent years.

This handbook accompanies our Wolakota – Life Skills for Teens program, designed to support parents during the challenging adolescent years.

Key features include:

Ancestral Wisdom: Guidance from our ancestors on raising children.

Holistic Development: Exploration of teens’ physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental needs.

Risk Awareness: Identifying signs of: Anxiety and depression, Abuse, Suicidal thoughts, School dropout risks, Bullying (both as victim and perpetrator), and Gossiping.

Modern Challenges: Addressing issues such as: Poor nutrition, Emotional problems, Gang activity and Sexual activity.

Addiction Focus: In-depth look at addiction, Tools to break addiction cycles, Understanding codependency, Information on specific substances (meth, vaping, other drugs), Support resources.

Parenting Tools: Fostering respect, Implementing consequences, Appropriate punishments and more. Cultural Connection: Most sections conclude with an ancestor story, helping teens understand and connect with their ancestral values.

This comprehensive guide aims to equip parents with the knowledge and tools to effectively support their teens through this crucial life stage, grounded in Lakota cultural wisdom and addressing contemporary challenges.