“Parenting is easy!”
- LITERALLY NO ONE. EVER.
Parenting comes with all the challenges. The meltdowns and constant bargaining, the self-doubt that creeps in, losing your mind as you repeat yourself for the 100th time, “I said don’t touch that!”Our kids don’t come with an operating manual and most days aren’t as sweet and easy going as Daniel Tiger would have you believe. Every child and every situation is unique, and as a parent, knowing how to support your child’s big feelings may not come naturally.
In her work as a school-based social worker, Nina Essel often found that children successfully practiced skills during sessions in her office, but struggled to apply those same skills in other settings. She recognized they were more likely to sustain those skills if the adults they spent the most time with - parents, teachers, caregivers - were more knowledgeable of how to respond in those moments.
Balanced Kids aims to build the capacity of the adults in a child’s life, to develop and support healthy emotions and self-regulation skills. This way, we reduce the likelihood of those “challenging behaviors” popping up so often, and increase the likelihood of a child knowing what to do with their “mad.” When adults have the skills, we create environments where children can be successful and we reduce triggers that lead to meltdowns. This is how we can support children in learning to cope with BIG feelings.
Nina at 2 years old throwing her very own tantrum.
Nina founded Balanced Kids in 2018. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker(LCSW), Nina holds a Master’s of Social Work from Columbia University and a Master’s of Science in Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. But perhaps her most impressive credential? Mother of three. And just like you, she sometimes shouts, and just like you, she has days that don’t make her feel like the parent she wants to be.
Nina breaks from convention and stands out in the industry, applying her skills as a certified trainer of the Nurtured Heart Approach and Kimochis, as well as her certifications in Collaborative Problem Solving and De-Escalation. Nina understands that each family is unique and knows that children and families thrive when they feel connected, supported, loved, and heard. She’s passionate about supporting families and educators so they can spend more time connected and less time feeling stressed, more time having fun and less time putting out fires.
Balanced Kids works with parents and educators of kids from toddler to 8th grade who are experiencing behavioral or developmental challenges, or enduring the crumby times life throws our way, like divorce, illness, or a death in the family. If you’re looking for a partner in this parenting whirlwind, some tried and true strategies, or even just some encouragement, Balanced Kids is here.
Balanced Kids supports children and families struggling with ADHD, ADD, Tantrums, Defiance and Refusal, Anxiety, Grief, Sibling Conflict, ODD, behavioral issues impacting sleep, and more.
“What if your child’s most annoying trait is actually their biggest talent in disguise?”
— Josh Shipp, The Teen Whisperer
