Kids These Days need us to Make Words Matter for good

It's Thanksgiving week and the whole month of November has me tending to think about ways to be more grateful. Perhaps you are similar. This SHORT episode in our new Pieces to Ponder series may prompt you to think about how you can incorporate new labeling of the daily events to evoke more gratitude in your life and the lives of your kids!  Let me know what you think and may you have a great...

Being "fair" through a restorative lens involves three critically interwoven processes that aren't all that hard to do, but sometimes are overlooked.  Listen in as we explore how to implement the "three e's" of fair process - engagement, explanation, and expectation clarity. Try using these in your living room or your office! Let us know what you think and how it has...

Welcome Monday! Each week, I am going to release a new VERY SHORT episode that I am calling Pieces to Ponder. I want to inspire us to reflect on specific ideas week after week that will make us better parents and better humans.  This week's episode is inspired by my work with the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP) and the work of John Braithwaite who is an Australian crim...

Kids these days "want us to understand them, not just change them." WOWZA. Thank you to my amazing co-host this week, Erik Hur, as we explore the ins and outs of how COVID has impacted kids and families, ways to connect with even the hardest kids and the silver lining in all of this craziness. His statement in this episode says it all, "How are you going to give your best to your st...

Y'all are in FOR A TREAT today!!  This is definitely one of the most enlightening episodes for me personally because I still struggle with this daily. Recently I posted an article on social media about the invisible load of mothers (and how it holds us back). See the link below.  Today, Bria Zolman, shares a perspective of hope and open communication that will BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF! Get ready t...

This episode, my new friend and restorative practices extraordinaire, Morgan Lee, joins me on the podcast to talk all sorts of fun things! Morgan has LOADS of experiences working with kids and families in schools, communities and anywhere he can help us better connect and understand things through the child's lens. His website is www.leadingupllc.com where he has a team of folks who all make...

This season, I am planning a few different episodes about emotion and this episode will share some very specific tips for helping our kids better express emotion. I also share some resources about further things you can explore to also be helpful - including Marc Brackett's book, Permission to Feel , and a feelings wheel which you can search up on the web. As always, feel free to follow along...

Bullying is both a serious interpersonal problem for kids and highly misunderstood concept (at times!).  Listen in as my amazing student, Julia McCullough, engages with me on this very important topic.  Grab more resources on my website www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me your thoughts, questions  and feedback beth@makewordsmatterforgood.com www.makewordsmatterforgood.com

Today, I am joined by several students to share some of the research on how COVID-19 has impacted our kids. Over and over, it's the question I am asked...what will this mean for our kids? Both in the long-term and short-term. Well...you asked....we are here to share! Follow along Facebook @ MWMwithKids or www.makewordsmatterforgood.com #COVID19 #kidsmentalhealth  #kidsthesedayspodcast www.mak...

This episode we share some great ideas for how to use art to help cope with the many, many changes going on in the world.  Our kids may not always know how to talk about it, but using art therapy techniques, we can sometimes learn so much more from our kids through other ways of reaching them.  Listen as my student, Alyssa Altieri, shares research on how art can help our kiddos. For more info abou...

Our teens are stressed. And anxious. It is a normal reaction to the everyday busyness of their lives, but sometimes it can become problematic. I often get the question, "What should I do about my teen's anxiety?"  This episode, another student of mine, Julia McCullough, shares helpful reminders for parents as we help our teens learn how to better manage everyday stressors. Here is a...

I am joined again by Madison Reed to share the Brain Dance - specific movements to engage our kids' brains and bodies well. I love considering how we "containerize" our kids and how we can also be more intentional with promoting curiosity in our little ones. Listen in as she shares some very practical ways to implement simple, but intentional, movement every day. Trust me. This one...

Depression is commonly misunderstood, and frankly unfairly stigmatized, in our society.  Yet, it is a very REAL feeling for so many of us, including our kids. But it doesn't look exactly like you might think in our kids. Take a few minutes to listen as my research assistant, Andra Smith, shares some great reminders for us about depression in kids and teens. For more helpful information about...

I am so happy to share this conversation I had with my dear friend, Kimberly Majeski.  Her work empowering women is nothing short of amazing and inspiring. I'm sure you will hear my continual amazement throughout this interview. I hope you will also find inspiration in her words and vision for empowerment! Follow Kimberly at www.kimberlymajeski.com Also - follow along Make Words Matter at www...

Anxiety, fear, worry. All things that we never want to think about in preschoolers. But all of these emotions will come up from time to time with our little ones. (And even our big ones!)  Take a few minutes to listen, as my graduate student, Madison Reed, shares some great tips for helping our kiddos through anxious moments. www.makewordsmatterforgood.com

I am still pondering so many things from this episode with Gallup-Certified Clifton Strengths Coach, Sarah Engel, about our strengths, focusing on what we do well, and how to engage the strengths of our kids.  ALSO - She is offering a DEEP discount (value $400) for coaching that will certainly change your relationship with your child. Listen, learn, and take her up on her offer! :) I loved this eq...

This episode gives the 3 BEST homework strategies for kids of any age.  Getting kids to do their homework is almost always on the list of concerns for parents I work with in clinical practice. This episode, my friend and fellow child therapist, Amanda Owens, shares the BEST tips for making homework more manageable. As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website f...

Y'all know how much I love to talk about kindness. And this month, my friends at Core Essential Values have chosen this word as their focus for the month of February. So this week, I am cross-sharing the podcast episodes we did together because I just love this topic SO much. These episodes will be split by age-group - so if you have multiple kids, be sure to listen to all of them.  This epis...

Y'all know how much I love to talk about kindness. And this month, my friends at Core Essential Values have chosen this word as their focus for the month of February. So this week, I am cross-sharing the podcast episodes we did together because I just love this topic SO much. These episodes will be split by age-group - so if you have multiple kids, be sure to listen to all of them.  This epis...

Y'all know how much I love to talk about kindness. And this month, my friends at Core Essential Values have chosen this word as their focus for the month of February. So this week, I am cross-sharing the podcast episodes we did together because I just love this topic SO much. These episodes will be split by age-group - so if you have multiple kids, be sure to listen to all of them.  This epis...

Ever been there?  Thinking... "UGH...It is just really hard to like my kid right now." Me too. I've had these moments with my own kids and witnessed them over and over with clients. Don't worry! You are NOT a bad mom or dad. You are just having a human reaction to your child's behavior right now. That's normal. Learn some tips and tricks to the 5 biggest things to rem...

Today, my friend and colleague (and fellow kid therapist), Amanda Owens, joins me again to discuss the broken record. Ever feel like..."sheesh, haven't I already said this?!?"  Listen in for these helpful tips at each age group (preschoolers, elementary, and teens) to stay calm and keep yourself out of the broken record cycle! As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids...

This week's episode was inspired by a quote from the Speaking Life devotional by Roxanne Parks where she states, " Your life will always move in the direction of your strongest thoughts." She then challenges the reader to consider, "What input establishes your thoughts each day?"  I was so moved by these two things that I wanted to share some additional ways that we can re...

This episode, my friend, Jennifer Stanley, joins me as we talk about dream catching, goal setting and the 3 things to achieve your goals in 2021. This time of year is the perfect time to think through and strategize to better capture all those dreams you have for yourself, your kids, and your family. Join us, listen in, share with others and grow!  Follow on Facebook MWMwithKids or our website www...

Sorry for the cursing in the title...but really!?! Can this week be any crazier?? This brief episode shares a couple of quick reminders about all that this week has for us. Stress from the election, news coverage, time change, fatigue from the pandemic - and WHAT TO DO about it! We are all feeling the crunch. Our bodies are feeling the chaos. Take a moment to listen, share with others, and reflect...