The stories we tell ourselves shape our beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world around us – and our beliefs lead to the actions we choose to take or not take, especially when we are facing problems or taking on new challenges.
This is why it is so important to protect ourselves and young people in our care from experiences that lead to negative hopeless beliefs like, “This will never work,” – and, to create experiences that lead to positive empowering beliefs like, “We can get help.”
Because conflicts are a normal part of life, learning how to use and teach skills for resolving conflicts successfully develops confidence and trust in our ability to navigate challenges in our relationships.
Conflict Resolution Fundamentals – Special Discount
How we handle conflicts can lead to deeper connections, collaboration, and positive growth – or to enormous stress, lost time, and damaged relationships.
Maryse Postlewaite, who developed and leads live practice sessions in our online Conflict Resolution Fundamentals course, provides activities and practices that prepare participants to use and teach skills for dealing successfully with different kinds of conflicts with our families, neighbors, schools, workplaces, and communities.
Special 40% Discount Until Tuesday, July 22. You can gain many valuable tools to use with your family, school, and workplace in Maryse’s Conflict Resolution Fundamentals Course. Use the 40% discount code INDIV40 if you register by July 22.
How to Stop Negative Self-Talk
Negative self-talk is when we are critical and demeaning about ourselves. If we are constantly putting ourselves down, we are undermining our own confidence and self worth. We can unlearn this behavior but, like changing any habit, it takes practice.
Abby Bleistein is a primary care physician board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She is also a Kidpower Board member. In this article, Dr. Bleistein describes how she uses Kidpower skills to help her patients in her outpatient practice.
Ten Actions to Take Charge of Your Mental Health
Thanks to the AEO Foundation, this free tool provides teens and adults with short descriptions of ways they can protect their own emotional wellbeing – and share with others.
Upcoming Workshops Open For Registration
Do you want to prepare your children and yourself to stay safe, have fun, and prevent problems with people? We have several community workshops coming up that still have spots available.
August 3 – Familypower: Boundary Skills for ages 7-12 with their adults
August 9 – Fullpower: Safety & Self-Defense for ages 13+ In-Person in San Diego
August 24 – Familypower: Introduction to Physical Self-Defense for ages 9-14 with their adults
September 14 – Fullpower: Introduction to Physical Self-Defense for ages 15+
Please Donate!
Your donation in any amount will support our work in creating and providing resources and programs that prepare children, teens, and adults to prevent and solve problems with people, so they can have safer, happier lives.
Published: July 18, 2025 | Last Updated: July 18, 2025
Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director
Kidpower Founder and Executive Irene van der Zande is a master at teaching safety through stories and practices and at inspiring others to do the same. Her child protection and personal safety expertise has been featured by USA Today, CNN, Today Moms, the LA Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Publications include: cartoon-illustrated Kidpower Safety Comics and Kidpower Teaching Books curriculum; Bullying: What Adults Need to Know and Do to Keep Kids Safe; the Relationship Safety Skills Handbook for Teens and Adults; Earliest Teachable Moment: Personal Safety for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers; The Kidpower Book for Caring Adults: Personal Safety, Self-Protection, Confidence, and Advocacy for Young People, and the Amazon Best Seller Doing Right by Our Kids: Protecting Child Safety at All Levels.