The Foundation for a Meaningful Life
Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Southborough, MA
Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Southborough, MA
Ideas&Insights
Ideas&Insights Presents
Developmentally Appropriate “Disasters”: A Conversation with Dr. Maria Trozzi on Navigating Agency, Big Feelings & Resilience with Your Middle Schooler
The transition from childhood to adolescence is a developmental whirlwind of cognitive, physical, emotional, and social change. During the middle school years, children are navigating the journey of becoming and belonging and asking the questions: “Who am I now?" and "How do I belong?" At the same time, parents and guardians are often bewildered, asking: "What happened to my child?"
Through a blend of humor, wisdom, and pathos, Maria offers a roadmap for parents and guardians navigating their pivotal role in a middle schooler’s development. Her presentation provides reliable strategies to help children manage big feelings, develop agency, and problem-solve during this period of great change. Beyond practical tools, Maria explores the deeper nuances of parenting: when to push and when to step back, how to redefine expectations, and how the "ghosts of our own nursery" inform the dreams and disappointments we hold for our children.
Maria Trozzi, M.Ed. is a former Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine and a leading national expert on family resilience. As co-founder of the Good Grief Program at Boston Medical Center and a consultant for Children’s Hospital, she has spent decades helping communities navigate profound crises, including Columbine, 9/11, and the Boston Marathon bombing. Her expertise extends to the military, where she has trained Naval Special Warfare operators (SEALs) and their families for over a decade. A frequent contributor to CNN, NBC, and CBS, Maria is the author of Talking With Children About Loss, a definitive resource for parents and professionals nationwide.
Maria Trozzi, M.Ed. is a former Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine and a leading national expert on family resilience. As co-founder of the Good Grief Program at Boston Medical Center and a consultant for Children’s Hospital, she has spent decades helping communities navigate profound crises, including Columbine, 9/11, and the Boston Marathon bombing. Her expertise extends to the military, where she has trained Naval Special Warfare operators (SEALs) and their families for over a decade. A frequent contributor to CNN, NBC, and CBS, Maria is the author of Talking With Children About Loss, a definitive resource for parents and professionals nationwide.
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Event Details
Date: Wednesday, February 11
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Location
The event will take place at Fay School's Primary Dining Commons inside the Primary School Building.
Parking
Please park in Harlow Circle, which can be accessed via Fay School's East Entrance. Click here for directions to the East Entrance, located at 23 Middle Road in Southborough, MA.
Who Can Attend
This event is free to attend and open to the public, but registration is required.
Intended Audience
This presentation is intended for parents, guardians, and educators of middle school children. Topics covered during the presentation will be focused on children between the ages of 11 and 14.
The event will only be offered in-person. A virtual program is not available and it will not be recorded.
Who Can Attend
This event is free to attend and open to the public, but registration is required.
Intended Audience
This presentation is intended for parents, guardians, and educators of middle school children. Topics covered during the presentation will be focused on children between the ages of 11 and 14.
The event will only be offered in-person. A virtual program is not available and it will not be recorded.
Questions? Contact Nicole Casey at 508-490-8204 or ncasey@fayschool.org.
Fay School's Ideas&Insights Speaker Series welcomes experts in education, child development, and parenting to share research, tools, and inspiration with parents and families.
Previous speakers:
Dr. Rachel Kramer: "Setting Healthy Boundaries and Supporting Independence" (2025)
Brooklyn Raney: "One Trusted Adult" (2025)
Dr. Michele Borba: "Thrivers" (2024)
Phyllis Fagell: "Raising Middle Schoolers" (2024)
Dr. Devorah Heitner: "Growing Up in Public" (2023)
Dr. Rachel Kramer: "Building Resilience and Managing Big Emotions" (2023)
Dan Goods: "Seeing the Unseen" (2022)
Temple Grandin: "Calling All Minds" (2022)
David Epstein: "Range - Why Generalists Thrive in a Specialized World" (2019)
Dr. Madeline Levine: "Teach Your Children Well" (2019)
Dr. Richard Ginsburg: “Youth Sports Specialization: What Parents Need to Know” (2018)
Dr. Julie Lythcott-Haims: "How to Raise an Adult" (2018)
Ron Lieber: "The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money” (2017)
Dr. Rob Evans: "Raising Healthy Children in Challenging Times" (2017)
Previous speakers:
Dr. Rachel Kramer: "Setting Healthy Boundaries and Supporting Independence" (2025)
Brooklyn Raney: "One Trusted Adult" (2025)
Dr. Michele Borba: "Thrivers" (2024)
Phyllis Fagell: "Raising Middle Schoolers" (2024)
Dr. Devorah Heitner: "Growing Up in Public" (2023)
Dr. Rachel Kramer: "Building Resilience and Managing Big Emotions" (2023)
Dan Goods: "Seeing the Unseen" (2022)
Temple Grandin: "Calling All Minds" (2022)
David Epstein: "Range - Why Generalists Thrive in a Specialized World" (2019)
Dr. Madeline Levine: "Teach Your Children Well" (2019)
Dr. Richard Ginsburg: “Youth Sports Specialization: What Parents Need to Know” (2018)
Dr. Julie Lythcott-Haims: "How to Raise an Adult" (2018)
Ron Lieber: "The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money” (2017)
Dr. Rob Evans: "Raising Healthy Children in Challenging Times" (2017)
Katie Greer: "How Do We Keep Our Kids Safe in This Technology-Driven World?" (2016 and 2023)
Dr. Michael Thompson: "How to Raise Responsible Children" (2015)
Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige: "Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times" (2014)
Jessica Lahey: "The Gift of Failure" (2013)
Dr. Michael Thompson: "How to Raise Responsible Children" (2015)
Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige: "Taking Back Childhood: Helping Children Thrive in Challenging Times" (2014)
Jessica Lahey: "The Gift of Failure" (2013)
48 MAIN STREET
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
main number 508-490-8250
admission 508-490-8201
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
main number 508-490-8250
admission 508-490-8201
