In today's podcast, we'll delve into the transformative power of wonder and awe—emotions that children embrace naturally but adults often overlook as they grow older. We'll explore the significance of reconnecting with these profound states of being to enrich your life and safeguard this sense of marvel for your children. Join me as we learn to cultivate, cherish, and become champions of wonder and awe in our daily lives.Jennifer's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Reward Chemicals (03:07)Let Your Kids...

In this episode, I’m excited to share a special conversation I had with Ann Odom on her podcast, "The Reprogram." Ann, a seasoned social worker, combines over two decades of experience with a unique blend of somatic experiencing,...

In today's Q&A episode, we tackle a heartfelt and challenging topic that many families face. Janine writes in with a situation that may resonate with many: her 10-year-old son holds a deep-seated resentment towards his 8-year-old sibling, simply for being born. This type of sibling rivalry can be devastating and perplexing for parents. It's a common scenario we encounter at Connected Parenting, especially among families with what we refer to as 'gladiator kids'.Join me as we delve into...

In today's episode, we're diving into an essential topic: self-awareness and how we, as parents, can gift to our children this crucial skill for fostering good mental health, strong social skills, and building resilience as they navigate the complexities of growing up.By helping our children develop self-awareness, we empower them to handle life's challenges with confidence and grow into more grounded, emotionally intelligent adults.Join me for an insightful conversation packed with...

When we think of separation anxiety, we often think about leaving little kids at daycare. But I actually see in my practice, lots of kids that are much older, even 11 and 12, who have real separation anxiety, where they're worried if you go out for dinner, or a walk around the block, and they're in the house by themselves. They just can't do it and they need to know where you are all the time. This can be a real problem for parents, and it can be a really hard thing for kids and if you can...

Today, we’re revisiting a fan-favorite episode, featuring a special session with my daughter Zoe on the CALM technique.Listen in as we delve into managing schedules and maintaining order. We'll role-play typical chaotic home scenarios, demonstrating the transformative effects of the CALM technique before and after its application.If you’re new to the podcast or need a refresher on the biochemical principles that make the CALM technique so effective, I recommend checking out episodes one and...

A listener named Justin shared his frustration with his 13-year-old daughter's screen habits, feeling exhausted from constantly having to monitor her. He's also grappling with her claims that other parents are more lenient, leaving him questioning if strict rules hinder her ability to handle technology responsibly.This is a common dilemma, and with recent alarming research on screen time effects, it's crucial to address.Join me as we explore strategies for helping teens take charge of their...

Today we are diving into the idea that as parents, we're essentially acting as substitute frontal lobes for our children. After an Instagram short I posted went viral, I realized just how much this idea resonated with so many of you. We are looking at:Why are we more than just parents in the traditional sense? What does stepping into the role of a substitute frontal lobe truly entail for us and our kids? Why has nature designed our parenting roles this way? Join me as we unravel these...

Amidst the complexities and generational gaps, the profound love and unique connections Grandparents share with us and our families hold immense importance to our growth and overall life experience.Join me today to explore the richness of this relationship, examining the contrast between modern parenting and the practices of our parents' era, and discover ways to navigate these differences for a harmonious family dynamic.Jennifer's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Parenting Strategies + Their Impact On...

Why won't my kids listen?If you find yourself repeating instructions endlessly without any response, you're not alone.In this week's episode we explore the reasons behind this common parenting challenge and offer a treasure trove of tips and tricks to turn the tide. More than just getting your kids to listen, we'll discuss strategies for encouraging good decision-making and fostering healthy compliance.Join me for practical advice on enhancing communication and understanding within your...

In this special guest series episode, I am thrilled to welcome Katie Kimball, a renowned advocate for healthy kids cooking and founder of the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse.Katie is on a powerful mission to bring families together through healthy food, aiming to teach every child the essential skill of cooking and instilling lifelong healthy habits.Join us in this enlightening conversation with Katie as we delve into the sometimes challenging, always rewarding intersection of kids and food,...

In today's episode, we tackle a topic that many families face: divorce.It's a reality of our world, and navigating it with grace and care is crucial, especially when it comes to our children. Today we dive deep into questions like...How do we break the news to them?What are the do's and don'ts of discussing divorce with your kids?But more importantly, we discuss the impact of divorce on children and underline a critical truth – it's not the divorce itself but how parents handle the situation...

In this episode, we dive into the world of blended families with a special focus on tips and tricks designed to help navigate the complexities and joys of bringing together 2 diverse family units. From practical advice on fostering harmony and understanding to creative strategies for bonding, this week's release is tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities that come with blending families together. Join me in exploring ways to knit a cohesive, loving family fabric that...

Have you been struggling with your teenager's messy room and not sure how to handle it? Well, I've got some insights on what the messy room really means for your teen and strategies to help manage it in a way that supports their mental well-being.Find out my tips for setting boundaries while respecting their space, breaking big tasks into smaller steps, and using organizational systems that help to keep them on track.Listen in to hear the difference between "mess in motion" and "mess in...

As we embrace the month of love, February, we're going beyond the usual hearts, cards, and candies that adorn the stores.Let's explore how we can infuse our family life with the essence of love, making it the central theme not just for this month but as a foundational principle in our every day.How do we pivot from parenting out of fear to parenting from a place of love? |How can we listen with an open heart, striving to understand before being understood?Join me as we delve into practical...

In today's episode, we're diving into the battleground of every household: messy rooms. How do we navigate the chaos of toys, clothes, and everything in between without losing our minds? Join me as we explore strategies to encourage our little ones to keep their spaces relatively tidy. From understanding why their rooms end up looking like a mini tornado passed through, to practical tips and tricks that can make tidying up a less daunting task for them (and less of a headache for us). But...

In this week's Q&A we are unraveling the complexities of guiding sensitive children and teenagers through life's transitions. Ever wondered why some kids struggle with seasonal changes like wearing a winter coat, or why teens might push you away? We're diving deep into these challenges, exploring innovative strategies like using therapeutic lamps for seasonal shifts and engaging in heart-to-heart car rides for better communication with teens. If you're curious about nurturing a supportive...

Have you ever noticed how some children hesitate to try new things? Whether it's tasting a new food, petting an unfamiliar dog, or watching a thrilling movie, each child faces their own set of challenges when it comes to taking risks. But here's an intriguing thought: What if we could equip our children with the ability to muster bravery for facing the new and unknown? Imagine the impact of those brief moments of courage on their overall confidence and life experiences. In this episode, we...

As part of our esteemed guest series. I'm excited to welcome a dear friend and an incredibly insightful psychiatrist, Dr. Omid Naim.Trained in the Western traditions, Dr. Naim has evolved to embrace a more holistic approach when it comes to mental health care. He advocates for the integration of spiritual and community-based methods, emphasizing the power of connection and shared human understanding.So what does a more holistic approach to psychiatry look like?How can addressing family trauma...

In this week's episode, we're diving into the intriguing world of gifted children.Now, even if you don't think your child is gifted, I encourage you to listen in because this episode is packed with insights that can benefit all parents.I'll be sharing a unique checklist I've developed over the years. It's not diagnostic, nor is it infallible, but it's a tool I use to identify potential signs of giftedness based on certain behavior clusters. If these behaviors are present, I often suggest to...

Today we are tackling a topic I believe is crucial for our children's development: healthy adversity.If you're familiar with my work, you'll know I've often discussed the importance of life's contrasts and contours. I'm not talking about big traumas or terrifying experiences – no one wishes for those. But it's about the smaller, challenging experiences that might seem monumental to a child.How does facing something painful, difficult, or seemingly impossible help them grow? What happens when...

In today's episode, I'm delving into the topic of building resilience and recuperation in our children. Recent years have taught us how quickly life can change, bringing disappointments and challenges. Many families have faced significant hardships, from losing loved ones to undergoing financial upheavals. But here's a crucial question: Are our kids equipped to handle these disappointments? In our effort to smooth out every bump for them, have we inadvertently left them unprepared for life's...

In today's episode of my podcast, I delve into a fascinating topic that I often refer to as 'gladiator kids.' Have you ever wondered why some children constantly respond with 'no,' 'why,' or 'not now'? What's behind this strong-willed defiance? Is it just their temperament, or could it be something more, like ADHD or being on the spectrum? Intriguingly, there's a concept known as pathological demand avoidance, which I believe is a common thread among many of these children.What exactly is...

Ever wondered why we, as parents, sometimes resort to yelling, even when we know it's not the most effective approach?Yelling is like an age-old parenting reflex, but let's be honest – it rarely brings out the best in our kids or us.In this episode, I uncover the 'why' behind our shouting tendencies, the real impact it has on our little ones (hint: it's not good), and most importantly, what we can do instead.Let's embark on a journey to discover effective, positive ways of parenting that...

Have you ever wondered about the untapped potential of your mind?Picture this: an average of 60,000 thoughts flow through our heads every day. But here's the catch – a whopping 75-80% of them are negative.Today we are diving into the fascinating world of thought hygiene.This isn't just about thinking happy thoughts. It's about understanding how your thoughts shape your reality. With 100 billion neurons and 500 trillion synapses firing at 300 miles an hour – this symphony of activity happening...