Calm and Connected Podcast

All of us have the same values, these are to be seen, heard, understood and to be appreciated and know we belong. What are your needs? How much time do you give to look after you? Do you find you give so much to your kids, that you find yourself overwhelmed when you try to connect? In this episode Janine and Sonali speak about: What does it mean to be a highly sensitive parent How to enjoy your re...

Over the past decade, families have been feeling the pressure more than ever. From social media and constant screen time to the shared stress of the global pandemic and rising expectations for both parents and kids — it’s easy to feel disconnected and overwhelmed. In this episode, we explore how families can navigate these challenges, reduce stress, and build stronger, more connected relationships...

Food is magic! Cooking together as a family has lots of benefits. As well as being a time to learn and teach such a key life skill, it presents an opportunity to share family recipes, whether they are cultural recipes or family recipes passed down through the generations.  In this episode they discuss: How Amy’s work got started  How to learn about your family background through cooking...

We all know the 5 senses and learned them from the time we started school. But did you know there are actually 8? Unpacking and understanding these can help us to understand yours and your child's needs and how you move around your space well. Joining Janine is Occupational Therapist, Sarah Collins who unpacks the senses and encourages you to find the words and strategies that work for your child'...

As parents, we are concerned that our kids and teens may engage in high risk behaviors as they grow up. How can we, as parents, encourage our children away from engaging in these high risk behaviors? Or, if they are already doing any of these behaviors, how can we encourage them to stop them?  In today’s episode Janine and Dr Collier discuss: Dr. Collier’s work in addiction and adolescence de...

This podcast episode is a preview of the Grow Your Coping Skills Podcast. Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple Podcasts​ OR ​ At the Coping Skills Hub​ $4.99/month Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you throug...

This podcast episode is a preview of the Grow Your Coping Skills Podcast. Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple Podcasts​ OR ​ At the Coping Skills Hub​ $4.99/month Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you throug...

This podcast episode is a preview of the Grow Your Coping Skills Podcast. Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple Podcasts​ OR ​ At the Coping Skills Hub​ $4.99/month Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you throug...

This podcast episode is a preview of the Grow Your Coping Skills Podcast. Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple Podcasts​ OR ​ At the Coping Skills Hub​ $4.99/month Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you throug...

This podcast episode is a preview of the Grow Your Coping Skills Podcast. Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple Podcasts​ OR ​ At the Coping Skills Hub​ $4.99/month Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you throug...

This podcast episode is a preview of the Grow Your Coping Skills Podcast. Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple Podcasts​ OR ​ At the Coping Skills Hub​ $4.99/month Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you throug...

We talk so much about the kids but what coping skills do you use as the parent or the professional who works with kids? This episode is specially for the grown ups!  In this episode Janine speaks about : Emergency strategies, like positive self talk and the use of grounding techniques Preventative Mental Health strategies; including  Quick strategies like, slow breathes at a red light an...

Carrie Bonnett is a veteran teacher and lifelong list-maker. She is an Executive Function coach based in Bend, Oregon, where she lives with her husband and two children. Carrie works with students and families all over the world. Her no-shame approach and the strategies she teaches: • empower students to thrive in life and in school,  • help parents and teachers to better support their childr...

Have you ever wondered when is a good time to practice coping skills with your child? This is a really good question to consider and how this may look in your week. The first step is for the adult and child to be emotionally ready and calm and from this point, new skills can be learned.   In this episode Janine speaks about: The window of tolerance  The rainbow illustration explaine...

Have you ever considered sharing a journal with your kids? Sometimes your child may come home and isn’t ready to share about your day. Journaling is an opportunity to see how your child views the world while you’re living the same moments. It can open up opportunities to be empathetic to situations that you weren’t experiencing in the same way. It can create a safe space for questions to be asked,...

Where do you begin when you want to teach kids coping skills? Janine has a five step system she uses to help kids learn and use coping strategies, starting with connection, and finishing up with making a personal coping toolkit for kids.  In this episode Janine speaks about  Connecting with your young person where they’re at and what they love Talking about feelings Using movie or book c...

On today's podcast I speak with Giselle Shardlow, M.Ed., from Kids Yoga Stories. She is a colleague I connected with recently who has so much experience working with kids through movement, mindfulness and yoga. This is a sneak peek of the Family Resilience Speaker Series starting on March 31st, 2025. Sign up here to attend the FREE Series. https://copingskillsforkids.com/resilience About The Guest...

Sometimes it's some of the simple things in your day to day like a game you like to play that remind you of a few strategies and values in life that are helpful to keep you going.  In this episode, Janine speaks about the game Stardew Valley and the reminders of life lessons that she holds and was reminded of from playing this video game. She speaks about: Building up Resilience  You hav...

When you label your feelings, it can help you regulate your emotions better. How do you explore feelings with your child in a fun way? One of the ways to explore this with your child is via reading a story. So why not head to your local library and check out one of the following feeling focused books:  The Color Monster  Big Feelings  Lizzy’s Ups and Downs Other strategies which are...

CALM AND CONNECTED - EPISODE 169 Every child needs 3 to 5 people to be part of their orbit to help shape their world and will have a significant influence on them. Whatever role you have, you could be that key person in a teenager’s life to discuss the more stressful moments in their lives. There are signs and symptoms we can look out for in our teenagers. Stress is a normal reaction for anybody i...

Today, I’m highlighting one of my favorite coping skills to use: Take a mini mental vacation wherever you are. You’ll hear an example of what a mini mental vacation can look like and how to practice this method.  This is a coping skill that is in the Coping Skills for Teens Workbook. I’m excited to share that I’ve recently recorded and launched the audiobook version of the Coping Skills for T...

CALM AND CONNECTED - EPISODE 167 What is social anxiety and how big an impact does this have for a child and the difference for an adult? How can you tell the difference between social anxiety and being an introvert? These are just some of the questions Janine speaks about with Natasha Daniels as she also talks about her memoir Out of My Shell.  They also speak about: What the definition of S...

CALM AND CONNECTED - EPISODE 166 How do you encourage your kids to be more independent? When do you as a parent step back to give them the space to step up? Lenore Skenazy joins Janine today to discuss some of these questions. They discuss:  The importance of play and how it relieves stress Bodily reaction to fear and avoidance to fear Playing across mixed age groups The skills you learn when...

CALM AND CONNECTED - EPISODE 165 What does it mean to be a tech intentional family? Now phones, ipads and other forms of technology are in most areas of life. There’s no size that fits all and what works for you and your family will look so different to your next door neighbor and the other parents you meet at the school gate. So where do you begin?  In today’s episode Janine speaks to Emily...

Play is such a powerful way for kids you learn ANYTHING including coping skills. Games can also be a way to help us learn and identify the feelings we have. Plus being a lot of fun along the way!   In this episode Janine discusses 3 specific examples:  Playing Jenga® - The use of jenga as a way of discussing feelings or getting to know you or your child better Make your own board ga...