Using music and humor as her instruments, Amy orchestrates powerful moments of connection that leave people feeling encouraged and empowered. As a board-certified music therapist and a Certified Humor Professional, Amy conducts meaningful experiences that build community and center on the joy that music adds to our lives. One of her proudest accomplishments is being the musical director of Grace Notes Community Singers, an intergenerational performing arts organization for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Members are inspired to move beyond their heavy responsibilities to a place of relief and new possibilities. Amy has been a music therapist for over 20 years and holds dual master’s degrees in music therapy and music education. She is the owner of Oak Song Music Therapy and Consulting Services in San Antonio, TX. Listen to this Parenting With Impact episode with Amy Standridge about music, humor, and self care. Motivation Guide In this FREE insider’s guide from the experts at ImpactParents, join with parents all over the world who are successfully using these 3 steps and 7 quick tips to motivate their children and teens to respond to requests without meltdowns, distractions, or pushback. Here is what to expect on this week’s show: Amy has dedicated over 20 years to this profession finding purpose in helping others through music. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when face-to-face interactions were limited, Amy explored therapeutic humor as an alternative way to fulfill her passion. She emphasizes the importance of laughter and playfulness in building relationships and motivating individuals, whether through activities like singing or finding coping strategies for self-care. Amy emphasizes using humor to build strong bonds with children and motivate them. Engaging in joyful activities like singing or sharing jokes creates a sense of connection and strengthens relationships. Incorporating humor into self-care routines can also provide coping strategies during challenging times. By intentionally seeking out humor and creating a structure for fun conversations, parents can cultivate a light-hearted and joyful atmosphere in their homes. Amy explains humor is a source of joy and entertainment with numerous benefits for our health and well-being. Engaging in humor and fun activities with loved ones helps build strong bonds and releases oxytocin, creating a sense of connection and happiness. Humor also serves as a powerful tool for self-care, providing coping strategies during challenging times. According to Amy, laughter yoga has numerous health benefits and can be a powerful tool for connecting with others. The practice involves finding your own sense of humor and being authentic in your laughter. It can be used as a way to bond with family members, especially children, through sharing funny memes, watching funny movies, or playing games that lead to laughter. Connect with Amy: https://www.facebook.com/oaksongmt Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools https://impactparents.com/gift Connect with Impact Parents: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents/ @impactparents Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParent @impactparent LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents/ @impactparents X (fkaTwitter): https://twitter.com/ImpactParents @impactparents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices