FAQ
- What is Say Yes to No?
- What is the National Institute on Media and the Family?
- Why SYTN? Why now?
- Is Say Yes to No going to tell me how to parent?
- How did Say Yes to No start?
- How do I get involved with Say Yes to No?
- What is a Book Read?
- How do I organize a Book Read?
- Where do I get a book?
- What are people saying about SYTN?
- What are the benefits of becoming an SYTN partner?
- How do I become one?
- How can I bring SYTN to my community, school or organization?
- Do you still have questions? Contact us!
What is Say Yes to No?
Say Yes to No is a new parent education program and a growing community movement to help parents raise healthy, self-reliant kids in a culture of consumerism and screen time.
By saying No when they need to, parents help kids develop skills like self-discipline, respect and the ability to delay gratification, as well as other essential character traits they need to be successful.
The SYTN curriculum is based on the book No: Why Kids – of All Ages – Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It by Dr. David Walsh, president of The National Institute on Media and the Family.
What is the National Institute on Media and the Family?
Founded by psychologist David Walsh, Ph.D. in 1996, the National Institute on Media and the Family is a nonprofit, national resource center for research, information and education about the impact of the media on children and families. The Institute is the nation’s most trusted voice on parenting in the media age—with a mission is help parents raise happy, successful and self-reliant kids in the 21st Century.
Why SYTN? Why now?
In many ways, the core challenges of parenting haven’t changed: setting limits, fostering responsibility and instilling healthy values. What HAS changed this: Children today are exposed to more than one million Yes messages a week—over the course of an average of 44.5 hours of screen time. It takes a strong backbone, a clear strategy and a community effort to counterbalance those powerful forces. That’s precisely what SYTN provides.
Is Say Yes to No going to tell me how to parent?
Absolutely not. Say Yes to No is designed to spark conversations about how to help kids succeed. Through reflection and conversation with other adults you will strengthen parenting strategies that work for your family and your kids.
How did Say Yes to No start?
While hearing Dr. David Walsh talk about his book No, leaders from the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals and the Minnesota Elementary Schools Principals’ Association instantly recognized the connection between the book’s themes and students’ success.
They met with Dr. Walsh to discuss ways to spread the powerful messages and decided on the idea of community Book Reads. Within just a few weeks, in late 2007, thousands of coaches, counselors, parents, teachers, and school administrators across the state read the book and began to Say Yes to No. Inspired by the efforts in Minnesota, education leaders in Michigan mobilized an unprecedented coalition of supporters to bring the SYTN message to their state’s families.
In 2009, people who had read the book were clamoring for more, and the Big Ideas of the book were translated into a 5-part parenting program that was piloted with parents. Today that program is being offered across the country via this website and through select education organization partners.
How do I get involved with Say Yes to No?
If you’re an educator or affiliated with a school, church or childcare program, consider offering the Say Yes to No program to the parents you serve. All you need is the SYTN Leader’s Kit. You can buy the Kit online here.
If you’re a parent, the best way to learn to Say Yes to No is by attending a series of parent workshops. To see if there are SYTN workshops being offered in your community, check the calendar. If no sessions are scheduled near you, consider leading one yourself! Anyone can be a leader.
You can also get involved by reading the book No: Why Kids – of All Ages – Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. With warmth, experience, and humor, Dr. Walsh’s award-winning book provides the information and strategies adults need to raise healthy, self-reliant kids. It’s filled with down-to-earth advice that can be put into practice immediately.
If you’d like to support us, please buy the book on our website. Check the calendar to see if there are already discussion groups in your community. If not, organize one yourself! Just register and download a toolkit for everything you need to plan a Book Read.
What is a Book Read?
A SYTN Book Read is an organized group of people who are reading the book (No) at the same time and meeting periodically to discuss the issues and topics. It’s much like a book club, except the group typically disbands after the book (and conversation) is finished.
How do I organize a Book Read?
It couldn’t be easier. Absolutely everything you need to do (and know) is contained in our Book Read Toolkit. Become a member to download the toolkit and see for yourself.
Where do I get a book?
We encourage you to purchase your copy of No at our store.
Buying from us provides a small but important contribution to the National Institute on Media and the Family. Please help support our work by purchasing books through our site.
What are people saying about SYTN?
We’re getting all kinds of positive feedback from parents and educators who have experienced SYTN. You can view some testimonials here.
What are the benefits of becoming an SYTN Partner?
The biggest benefit is the positive impact you’ll have on the kids and families you serve. In fact, as the SYTN lessons and messages spread, your entire community will become a more productive, positive place.
Partners also appreciate the financial advantages of aligning with the National Institute on Media and the Family. At a time of dwindling resources, many organizations are looking for creative ways to drive revenue. A partnership with SYTN can offer significant returns for minimal effort and investment.
How do I become a Partner?
Simply drop us a line or give us a call. We’d love to hear about your organizational goals and priorities and discuss the ways the SYTN program can help address them.
How can I bring SYTN to my community, school or organization?
Again, just give us a call. From speakers to Book Reads to parent workshops, there are a variety of ways we can help you bring the Say Yes to No message to your people.
Do you still have questions?
Click here to contact Say Yes to No.
