NotJustSkin.org

We have developed a range of workshops in each area we address. Our workshops aim to support community wellbeing in particular topic areas, for example, relating with young people in ways that are joyful, present, mindful, respectful, and supportive of creativity, independence, and interdependence.

After a brief introduction, our workshops primarily use participant-driven discussion and interactive exercises. Most workshops can include nurslings and older children at the discretion and convenience of their caregiver(s).

If you would enjoy hosting a workshop or facilitated discussion for your circle of friends, classroom, school, church, workplace, or other group, contact Ryan at ryan@notjustskin.org. While donations to support our efforts are welcome, we generally offer workshops as a free community service.

Our workshops currently fall into four categories, with some specific topics listed below:

Family and Parenting

• Relating Joyfully with Children
• Compassionate Communication with Family
• Special Time and Playlistening
• Settling Limits Effectively with Compassion
• Listening Partnerships for Parents
• Supporting Children through Adolescence
• Supporting Children with Fear
• Tantrums and Strong Feelings
• Childhood and Gender/Sex

Transforming the Classroom

• Working with Difficult Moments
• Using Listening Partnerships in Class

Connection and Wellbeing

• Listening Partnerships
• Naturalizing your Compassionate Communication
• Building New Relationships: Authentic communication in new friendships and romances
• Making the Decision Together: Mindfully discussing and deciding to have or to end a long-term relationship
• Connecting for Everyone -- Reaching Beyond Gender Roles
• Healthy Homes: Removing unnecessary chemicals from your household and body
• Constructively Addressing Bias

Positive Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Infancy

• Empowering Birthing Women and Partners
• Ending Birth Violence
• Green Birth / Green Parenting
• Circumcision Issues and Awareness
• Resources for Taboo Topics in Infancy: Cosleeping, Vaccines, and More
• Beyond Gender/Sex: What Does Intersex Mean?

To provide more of a sense of what these workshops are like, here is a description of a general workshop:

Relating Joyfully with Children

In this interactive workshop, we aim toward the goal of relating with children in ways that are joyful, present, mindful, respectful, and supportive of both our own and children's needs.

Through discussion and exercises, we'll work together on actively engaging in healthy, nonviolent relationships with young people, including: being a good ally for children (our own or others'), identifying needs, being in touch with our needs, playfulness using tools for support, recruiting resources, being a good ally for parents, and handling tantrums and other "uncomfortable" parenting experiences. We welcome all adults who would like to relate joyfully with children, including parents, grandparents, teachers, and other caregivers.

Presenter Bio: Ryan McAllister, Ph.D.

Ryan McAllister is a long-time parent- and child-advocate. He co-parents a child with a rare genetic variation and significant developmental differences. Ryan has co-founded several relationship building organizations and projects, including:

• NotJustSkin.org, an all-volunteer organization that supports the physical and emotional well being of parents, children, and communities.
• Maitri House, a family-inclusive intentional community in the DC area that operates by values-based consensus.
• The Human Support Group, a twice-monthly practice and support group for people of all ages.

Ryan has over six years of experience in Nonviolent Communication, mindfulness, peer counseling, and parenting by connection. He also serves as research faculty at Georgetown University studying the biophysics of invasive cancer cells.