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: Executive Function & the Adolescent Brain — Supporting Growth Mindset in Adolescents (parents of 9 to 13)
THURS, APRIL 2 | 12 - 1:30pm PDT (Virtual)
This 90-minute interactive workshop helps parents understand the developing teen brain and why skills like planning and self-regulation are still emerging. Parents will learn practical ways to support motivation, resilience, and independence, and leave with simple tools to strengthen planning and goal-setting at home.
Presented by
The EdTech Wake-Up Call Rethinking Digital Learning for Kids
TUES, MARCH 10 | 12 - 1pm PDT (virtual)
Educational technology has rapidly reshaped classrooms, often without parents fully realizing its impact. But is all this screen-based instruction actually helping our kids learn?
In this live ParentEd Talk, neuroscientist and “The Digital Delusion” author Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath challenges EdTech’s biggest promises and examine what the data truly shows. He will explain how excessive technology use can undermine kids' learning and attention, and share clear, practical ways parents and educators can restore meaningful learning at school and at home.
You’ll leave with:
- A simple understanding of the neuroscience behind how kids learn — and how EdTech based learning can fall short.
- Eye-opening data on the impacts of EdTech
- Practical strategies you can use at home to boost your child’s learning.
Register HERE > Free for MISD families with code MISCHDIST at registration checkout
Presented by
SHIFT: Managing Your Emotions — So They Don't Manage You
*the event has finished, but you can watch the recording here*
Wed, March 5 | 5:30 - 6:30pm PDT (Virtual)
As parents, we can't control our adolescent's choices, but we can set conditions that help them make wise choices. How do we make our emotions work for us rather than against us? In SHIFT, Ethan Kross, PhD, dispels common myths and offers a framework for shifting emotions so they don't take over our lives.
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.
