The Science of Well-Being for Parents

The Science of Well-Being for Parents

Instructor: Laurie Santos

Top Instructor

22,081 already enrolled

Included with Learn more

Ask Coursera

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

108 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

8 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

108 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

8 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

7 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 7 modules in this course

Feeling overwhelmed by the unique challenges of modern parenting? Join Professor Laurie Santos in The Science of Well-Being for Parents— a free online course that explores science-backed strategies for happier parenting. Together, we'll tackle topics like rethinking time management, dealing with tough feelings like guilt and frustration, and navigating your child's academic stress and screen time. Through engaging lessons and parent Q&As, you'll learn how to reframe your thoughts, manage your emotions, and modify your behaviors in response to everyday challenges. We'll apply the latest research in psychological science to the joys and struggles of raising kids, helping you build more effective family dynamics and avoid the trap of overparenting. And you'll see that prioritizing your own well-being, you're not just helping yourself – you're also better equipped to show up for your kids and create a happier, healthier family life.

Curious to learn the science behind happier parenting? Browse to see if this psychology course is right for you.

What's included

6 videos4 readings

6 videosTotal 31 minutes

Welcome to the course!5 minutes
How the course was made13 minutes
What's driving the teen mental health crisis?2 minutes
How can we stop nagging our kids so they can learn on their own?4 minutes
When should I stop protecting my child ?2 minutes
Parents are busy4 minutes

4 readingsTotal 30 minutes

What to expect5 minutes
Stay updated5 minutes
Measure your happiness10 minutes
Free Access to the Course10 minutes

Learn strategies to balance work and family life, explore ways to fight "time famine," and discover how to create more "time affluence" for yourself and your kids.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment

9 videosTotal 41 minutes

Think: Value your time8 minutes
Act: Prioritize free time5 minutes
Feel: Make peace with limited time10 minutes
How do you know if your schedule is too packed?1 minute
How can I give myself grace when I'm taking time for myself?3 minutes
Are some countries better at managing time than the US?1 minute
Learn how happier countries prioritize free time and self-care3 minutes
Let your kids fail in low-stakes ways4 minutes
Give your child more freedom and responsibility6 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 8 minutes

Managing Time Quiz8 minutes

Understand why self-care isn't selfish, learn what effective self-care really looks like, and explore ways to bring more fun into your life.

What's included

11 videos1 assignment

11 videosTotal 53 minutes

Parents need self-care2 minutes
Think & Act: Find more fun10 minutes
Think & Act: Practice real self-care9 minutes
Feel: Build gratitude4 minutes
Feel: Increase your self compassion6 minutes
How can I practice self-care without feeling guilty?4 minutes
How can I avoid forced fun?2 minutes
How can I suggest self-care practices for my kids without nagging them?4 minutes
Reparent yourself as you parent your kids3 minutes
Rethink how you praise your child4 minutes
Model a compassionate inner voice6 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 5 minutes

Prioritizing Self-Care Quiz5 minutes

Explore healthy ways to deal with guilt, recognize the value of identifying your emotions, and discover mindfulness techniques to boost your emotional well-being.

What's included

10 videos1 assignment

10 videosTotal 48 minutes

Parents are struggling5 minutes
Think: Use negative emotions as a guide5 minutes
Feel: Accept negative emotions5 minutes
Act: Build distress tolerance6 minutes
How can I deal with my own sense of overwhelm?3 minutes
How can I better handle my child's moments of emotional overwhelm?2 minutes
How can I avoid teaching my child toxic positivity?3 minutes
Validate your child's emotions while holding to your boundaries6 minutes
Managing our kids' negative emotions7 minutes
What swooping in tells our kids6 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 5 minutes

Managing Negative Emotions Quiz5 minutes

Learn about your body's stress response, discover breathing techniques to hack your nervous system, and explore ways to reframe how you think about stress in your daily life.

What's included

12 videos1 assignment

12 videosTotal 48 minutes

Parents are stressed out9 minutes
Think: Change your beliefs about stress5 minutes
Act: Just breathe4 minutes
Act: Destress with kindness5 minutes
Act: Boost your hormetic stress2 minutes
Feel: Accept the stressful things in life3 minutes
What structural factors contribute to parental stress?2 minutes
How can you a support your stressed out, anxious child?3 minutes
How can you sleep better when you're stressed out?3 minutes
Stress less by nipping rumination in the bud5 minutes
Reduce your stress levels by labeling your emotions3 minutes
Feel better by acting the opposite of your emotions4 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 5 minutes

Managing Stress Quiz5 minutes

Understand how to support your kids' learning without helicopter parenting, explore ways to focus on the process over grades, and learn collaborative problem-solving techniques to help your kids succeed.

What's included

12 videos1 assignment

12 videosTotal 72 minutes

Why overparenting hurts kids7 minutes
Think: Redefine success and failure9 minutes
Act: Stop focusing on grades and other rewards13 minutes
Act: Promote your kid's strengths6 minutes
Act: Engage in collaborative troubleshooting7 minutes
Feel: Regulate your emotions5 minutes
Is helicopter parenting harming our kids?3 minutes
How do I stop problem-solving for my kids all the time?4 minutes
How can I be less anxious about the college application process?4 minutes
Teach more effectively with collaborative troubleshooting6 minutes
Never waste a crisis7 minutes
Get the right balance between “nice and nasty” parenting2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 5 minutes

Navigating Children's Academic Pressures Quiz5 minutes

Discover the "foundational harms" of excessive tech use, learn strategies to create tech-free zones at home, and explore ways to model healthier digital habits for your kids.

What's included

12 videos2 readings2 assignments

12 videosTotal 58 minutes

How technology can harm our kids14 minutes
Social media usage is on the rise5 minutes
Think: Prioritize IRL experiences5 minutes
Act: Reset your tech habits5 minutes
Act and Feel: Promote attentional hygiene7 minutes
How can we talk to our kids about the harms of phone use?2 minutes
How should we treat phone addictions?3 minutes
How can my family develop shared norms about technology use?3 minutes
How can I talk to my teen about how their smartphone makes them feel?4 minutes
How to take collective action when it comes to our technology3 minutes
Impact of different social media platforms3 minutes
Develop a family media agreement5 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Measure your happiness, again10 minutes
What's next?10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes

Dealing with Technology and Social Media Quiz5 minutes
Your Personal Parenting Experiment30 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(55 ratings)

Top Instructor

Laurie Santos

Yale University

4 Courses5,155,307 learners

Offered by

Yale University

Explore more from Personal Development

Status: Preview
Yale University
The Science of Well-Being
Course
Status: Preview
Yale University
The Science of Well-Being for Teens
Course
Status: Free Trial
American Psychological Association
Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness
Course
Status: Free Trial
Coursera
Well Being & Self Care: for Physical and Mental Health
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
96.29%
4 stars
3.70%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

Showing 3 of 108

Reviewed on May 12, 2025

Brilliant science backed tips for parents. Would highly recommend.

Reviewed on Jun 4, 2025

Brilliant a really helpful course with loads of practical strategies. Broken into tiny chunks so can be fitted in spare minutes.

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Great course. I felt a huge positive change, which was also reflected in my PERMA results.

View more reviews

Unlock access to 10,000+ courses with a subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 4,700 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.