The “Parental Guardian” (Batkivskyy Oberih) program is designed to develop parenting competencies and foster resilience in families raising children deprived of parental care, as well as families in crisis.

The project is implemented by the Ridni Foundation in partnership with the UNICEF.

About "Parental Guardian"

“Oberih” is more than just a protective object. It is something imbued with the inner power of love, presence, and care. For a child, the greatest “oberih” is parental attention, stability, and warmth.

The program was created to help adults — biological parents, foster parents, guardians, or kinship caregivers — restore or strengthen this “guardian” within themselves. Our goal is to ensure that children who have faced trauma or loss have a reliable adult by their side, whose love and care become their ultimate protection.

1. Over 10 years of experience

from the team of psychologists at the Ridni Foundation

2. Research-driven results

based on the study: “Mental health of children displaced during the war in Ukraine: the role of parents’ emotional regulation skills”
(2022–2023)

3. Regular
updates

Continuously adapted to address the specific challenges of wartime.

Program goal

To support parents and primary caregivers in:

Improving parent-child relationships by developing an awareness of their own needs and emotions
Building emotional self-regulation skills
Strengthening the capacity for sensitive, safe, and non-violent interaction with children under stressful conditions

Program objectives

Develop skills for monitoring (recognizing) and overcoming stress reactions in both children and caregivers
Foster an understanding of the importance of non-violent interaction and positive parenting
Motivate positive changes in family dynamics and strengthen family bonds as a key factor in resilience

Target audience

Guardians
Adoptive parents
Foster parents and kinship caregivers
Parents from families in difficult life circumstances
Families in crisis situations

Program principles

Safe adult + safe place = safe child
There are no “bad” parents — only parents lacking support.
Physical safety cannot exist without emotional safety.
Children mirror their parents. The best upbringing is leading by personal example.
The program is rooted in the principles of mindful and positive parenting.

Participants will learn:

how to recognize children’s emotions and behaviors according to their age and past experiences
essential aspects of sexual education, child safety, and financial literacy
how to build relationships based on trust, support, and soft boundaries

Participants will develop skills in:

emotional self-regulation: techniques to manage stress and stay calm
non-violent communication: fostering healthy dialogue within the family
creating a safe environment: establishing emotional and physical security at home
self-awareness: gaining a deeper understanding of their own emotions and needs to improve interaction with the child