Who We Are
Mercer Island Parent Edge is a program of the Mercer Island PTA Council. Our members are parent volunteers who work together to bring topics of interest to Mercer Island parents to learn, discuss and create community and connection. MI Parent Edge programs are funded with contributions from each of the Mercer Island PTA units.
Want to get involved? Email us at miparentedge@gmail.com
What We Do
Equipping families with ideas, insight, and community to help them thrive.
This year we're partnering with The Parent Venture, a non-profit organization, to showcase their line-up of well-known authors, speakers and parenting experts focusing on topics of highest interest to MI families.
What does that mean for you?
These events will be accessible in a variety of ways:
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LIVE WEBINAR - Join the live webinar. Register to attend via the links below and receive a Zoom link to join.
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WATCH A RECORDING - Parent Venture offers a comprehensive video library of past programs on a variety of topics (over 50 programs per year). The library is free to access. Search on specific topics of speakers.
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CONNECT IN PERSON - Join us for a "Parent Circle" -- an in-person gathering to create connections and learn through conversation with other MI parents
2025-26 Programs and Events
PEPS: Raising Thriving Teens in a Digital World
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - 6:30-8:30pm, In-person event
Join an in-person presentation designed for parents and caregivers raising children aged 10-19, featuring tips and strategies to establish healthy screen boundaries and foster emotional resilience in their teens.
Whether your teen is glued to their phone or you want to be proactive about their mental well-being, this talk is for you!
University of Washington
Hans Rosling Center for Population Health
3980 15th Ave NE, Room 155
Seattle, WA 98105
Register HERE to reserve your spot -- Space is limited, with only 80 spots available!
Presented by
Helping Students Navigate AI with Confidence and Curiosity
Thursday, October 9, 2025, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event
In this session, Ana Homayoun and Jesse Park from Green Ivy Educational Consulting will explore how we’re guiding students to understand both the possibilities and the pitfalls of AI.
Why Neurodivergent Kids Need Autonomy to Navigate a Neurotypical World
Wednesday, October 15 · 5:30 - 6:30pm PDT, Virtual event
Brains crave autonomy—for mental health, resilience, and lasting motivation. And it’s not just neurotypical brains; all brains need it.
In this Neurodiversity Education Series event, Bill Stixrud, PhD, and Ned Johnson will unpack the science of motivation and mental health, and share how we can nurture the autonomy children need to thrive—both academically and emotionally.
Register HERE (free)
Presented by
Cracking the Teen Code: Spot Trouble, Build Trust and Stay Connected
October 30, 2025, noon–1:00PM PT, virtual event
Register HERE
*Mercer Island parents can use promo code MISCHDIST to receive complimentary registration for the 2025-26 series.
The 5 Principles of Parenting: An Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans
Thursday, October 16 · 5:30 - 6:30pm PDT
The 5 Principles of Parenting doesn’t presume to tell you how to parent with “my way is right” advice because the science is clear: There’s no one “right” way to raise good humans. No matter how you were raised, how your co-parent behaves, or how your kids have been parented up until now, The 5 Principles of Parenting offers “accessible advice, reflective tools, and everyday parenting strategies” (Daniel Siegel, MD) to chart a manageable course for raising good humans that’s aligned with your own values and with your own children’s unique temperaments.
Register HERE (free)
Presented by
4 Ingredients for a Meaningful Life: Helping Adolescents Make Wise Choices
Wednesday, October 22 · 5:30 - 6:30pm PDT, virtual event
As parents, we can't control our adolescent's choices, but we can set conditions that help them make wise choices.
In this talk, Chris Balme will explore four essential conditions — variety, reflection, agency, and connection — that help teens build resilience, identity, and purpose.
Register HERE (free)
Presented by
New Resource
Parenting Mercer Island is an online tool that provides information and resources to address everyday parenting challenges. Learn a process that grows the skills our children need to be successful. Select the age of your child and then access a variety of topics!
Parents can also take part in a Parenting Mercer Island PARENT LAB -- in-person workshops that provide opportunities for learning, connection and support from MIYFS staff and counselors. Visit the PARENT LAB website for schedule, details and registration.
Parenting Mercer Island is provided by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services and the MI Healthy Youth Initiative.
More Webinars and Recordings!
Did you miss a webinar or are you looking for a specific parenting topic?
Visit our our partner site, Parent Venture, to access hundreds of free webinar recordings on a variety of parenting topics!
Parent Map Education Series!
Parent Edge is happy to promote the upcoming ParentEd Talk series (hosted by Parent Map)!
Register for the entire series now, and then join any live talk throughout the year. Early bird registration is open through Sept. 15, 2025 — get access to all eight events for just $35 (save 56%). Prefer to pick and choose? Individual talks are $10 each and go on sale one month before the event date.
Based our community survey results, we think the following topics this Fall 2025 would interest parents like you!
Check out the whole 2025-2026 lineup of topics and speakers.
