Connected Parenting

Today I want to talk about the difficult events that are happening in the world right now and how we can talk to our children about it.

Parents report that their kids are dealing with eco-anxiety, and having trouble sleeping at night because of the stress that comes with it. Consumed by the fear that the world is not going to be a place they can live, work and or raise a family in. So what exactly is eco-anxiety, what causes it and how can we as parents help our kids manage it?

What is happening in the brain when a child steals and how can we as parents can best love them into overcoming those strong impulses that often feel so overwhelming they take them over?

Don’t panic, lying is a normal developmental stage that children go through. How we respond or react to it can determine whether the behavior of lying is reduced or if our kids just become better liars. The key here is to remain calm, always listen to what our kids have to say and root ourselves in love not fear when it comes to addressing the lie.

In this episode, Jennifer explores temper tantrums, meltdowns, hissy fits, and other emotional outbursts. Tantrums are a normal part of child development but they are challenging to deal with and can be exhausting for parents. Children have big feelings that don’t always fit in their little bodies. In this episode, we explore the purpose and function of tantrums and how to deescalate or even at times avoid them altogether.

Yelling is a very popular parenting technique, but not a very effective one. If it was, there would be a lot of very well-behaved children in this world! Yelling doesn’t work.  At best, your kids tune you out and roll their eyes or worse they are terrified.  In this episode, Jennifer explores why we yell, how it impacts our kids and ourselves, and what we can do instead.

I once had a little girl in my office, in tears, calling herself “the ruiner”. She confessed that she ruins everything she is excited about... birthdays, holidays, vacations. Everything! This stuck with me and I have heard it over and over again, over the years, both from kids and parents. Why do some kids ruin things and sabotage things? In this episode I break down why this happens and its effect on the whole family.

In this podcast, Jennifer discusses the importance of emotional literacy and emotional processing. Feelings are meant to be felt… They are essential in helping us navigate relationships, stay safe, make good choices, and to be at peace in our world. Feelings are information. If we ignore that information - if we don’t listen - feelings don’t go away.  They build in intensity and find creative ways to get our attention. One way or another, your brain or your body will make you listen. In this episode, Jennifer not only talks about why this is so important, but teaches you how to listen and process intense feelings. Learning to feel your feelings and regulate emotion is the greatest gift you can give yourself and ultimately the greatest gift you can give your child.

Do you notice the judgmental glances from other parents when you drop your child off at school or birthday parties? Can you sense the teacher is frustrated and fed up with your child? Do you hold your breath as you approach the playground crossing your fingers hoping that your child behaves? Does your heart skip a beat when the phone rings for fear it is the school? In this episode, Jennifer talks about being the parent of  “that kid.” It is heartbreaking when you know your child is struggling and to know that others don’t understand. You know that he can be loving, sensitive and well-meaning, but others don’t always see this side of him. She can be maddening and frustrating at home at times, but seeing her so misunderstood is hard to bear. In this episode, Jennifer will help you to learn powerful strategies that will help you understand your child, advocate for your child, and know that you are not alone.

The morning routines that looked so promising at the beginning of the school year may be starting to fall apart right about now. Mornings can be very challenging and an absolute nightmare for some families. Mornings set the tone for the day and a bad morning can throw everyone off. In this episode, Jennifer covers a powerful technique called Morning Windows to make mornings go smoothly and set everyone up for a positive day.  

In this episode Jennifer talks about the teenage years. They can be difficult years but they don’t have to be. Understanding that the teenage brain is under construction and is not fully developed until well into the 20’s can help parents understand, predict, manage and most importantly enjoy their teen.

Many children who “act out”, have difficult behaviours, and a strong counter will (gladiators, as I like to call them), have a story about themselves. “I’m the bad one in the family. I am the one who wrecks everything. I am a destructive force in my family’s world.”  That story can affect choices, behaviour, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. As parents, it is important to rewrite that story because your child is so much more than their behavior. Join me and my special guest, Natalie Syrmopoulos from the Connected Parenting team, in this episode to learn how to use an accomplishment book to rewrite your child’s story - for them and for you.

In this episode, our 50th, Jennifer talks about the importance, the magic and the power of play.

In this episode, the roadmap of childhood continues through the tween, teen, and young adults years. Jennifer helps parents recognize normal and expected developmental stages, what to expect on this part of the parenting journey, how to enjoy your kids, and how to handle the inevitable bumps in the road.

In part one of this episode, Jennifer helps parents recognize what are normal and expected development stages, what to expect on this parenting journey, and how to handle the bumps in the road from ages 2 to 13.