Building Roots and Wings 

Creating meaningful rites of passage experiences for adolescents as they transition into adulthood

Do you have a child in middle or high school or just heading to college? 

Are they experiencing a major transition like graduation, changing schools, moving out, coming out, starting their menstrual cycle or moving through a religious rite of passage?

Are you planning a ceremony like a bar/bat mitzvah, sweet 16, quinceañera or other traditional experience? 

Are you concerned about how your child will manage in the world as they become more independent? 

Are you worried about your relationship and connection as they move through adolescence? 

Do you want to make sure they learn valuable lessons about relationships, communication, your heritage and culture before they are on their own? 

If you said yes to any of these, Building Roots and Wings for Young Adults is just what you need. 

"The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence."
~Denis Waitley

There is no statement more true as a parent of an adolescent.

Even before the pandemic, our children were struggling to find their bearings in this high tech, low touch environment they are steeped in. Now, many parents and teens are unsure of how to navigate in the world when the drive for autonomy is so strong. Adolescents are wired to seek where they belong. This may not always fit where our values lie and what we hope for them. It is our job to bridge the gap so they can make an informed choice. 

Our job is to teach them how to take care of themselves, to be good citizens of the world and guide them toward finding their internal compass. 

Many cultures turn to ceremonies and rituals to anchor important lessons during many rites of passage. 

We know of many religious an cultural ones like Confirmations, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quinciñeras and Sweet 16. There is an attempt to do this with graduations, but it is primarily focused on academic achievement rather than the whole of the child gaining responsibility and freedoms. 

Our kids need more if they are going to be truly prepared for life ahead in this uncertain world.  

In this course you will: 

  • Learn how to create your own meaningful experience, ceremony or ritual for your adolescent. 
  • Learn a step-by-step process for determining the who, what, when, why and how of any ceremony. 
  • Learn how to make it inviting and exciting for your teen to participate. 
  • Learn why embodied practices make a bigger impact than a conversation about meaningful subjects. 
  • Explore strategies to broach difficult subject matter with your teen. 
  • Learn to delineate between normal adolescent behavior and identifying situations that may need more attention. 
  • Walk away with your own experience, ceremony or ritual specific to your child's current journey and needs. 

The Details: 

  • This is planned to be an online course for parents of adolescents
  • Includes videos, handouts and guides to create your own experience for your child
  • Release date for the course is expected mid-September 2021 with enough interest.
  • Please email [email protected] with your interest in the course. 
  • The course will be $197 
  • 10% of proceeds will go to https://www.theconsciouskid.org/ . An education, research, and policy organization dedicated to equity and promoting positive racial identity development in youth. 

This course is for you if: 

  • Your child is between the ages of 11-24 
  • You want to create a meaningful experience for a moment they are, or will be, transitioning through in adolescence

This course is not for you if: 

  • Your situation would be better supported with a counselor or psychotherapist. 

If you are unsure about whether this will be the right fit for your needs, please feel free to email me at [email protected] 

Your Guide: 

Amy Saloner LCSW, FNTP

  • Worked with children and families for 25+ year as a therapist, educator, camp counselor, nutritional therapist, program developer and director
  • Facilitated more than 50 ceremonies, rites of passage experiences and women's circles.
  • Mom to Serena (13), Malakai (10) and bonus mom to Jakob (20)
  • Co-Founder of The Emerald Village Intentional Community and The Station CoLab Learning Institute 501c3 
  • Completed additional training in adolescent brain development, psychodrama, ritual facilitation and child development. 

Dr Ilana De Laney

Amy is an experienced educator with a wealth of knowledge in so many areas. She listens attentively to students, uses a variety of innovated learning and teaching styles, and guides them through the curricula with clear and articulated instruction. Amy has a way of teaching which motivates students to believe in themselves and make changes in their lives. 

K.H. 

In my opinion amy Saloner is a great health instructor. She meets you at your needs to teach you the best ways to live your optimal healthy life.