Kids These Days need us to Make Words Matter for good

In this thought-provoking conversation with leadership expert, Dr. Mia Johnson, she shares her expertise in leadership as it relates to us as parents and "regular" people. I shared my thought that sometimes we "regular" people (i.e., those of us without a PhD in leadership, or in a specific leadership role) still need to infuse leadership principles in our everyday conversation...

Here's the thing, we all "know" being different is good. In fact, it's great! But too often, our kids learn the message that being different is bad. If you haven't had a conversation like this with you kid, just trust me...every message they get is that different is bad or scary or impossible to overcome. They need us to be intentional about helping them see their differen...

This episode was life-changing for me. I know that sounds dramatic, but really, I walked away with so many practical tips that I have already listened to this episode (again) three times! Dr. Tara Egan, from CharlotteParentCoaching.com, joins me to share her expertise about screens and technology - and ways to help our kids through these challenging times. If you have a teen, or have ever wondered...

This episode is a BONUS cross-posting with my friends at Core Essential Values ( https://coreessentials.org/values ) - where we talk about The Big Three - Treat others right, Make smart decisions, and Maximize potential.  I LOVE talking about these three concepts because it really is the core of everything we do as parents (and teachers). It's also why I love Core Essential Values for schools...

During this "Mental Health Moment" I explore the hard topic of suicide. It is never an easy thing to discuss, but the more we shed light on this stigmatizing topic, the less shame folks will feel about it. As we face an unprecedented time of uncertainty, we really need to all be ready to respond to hopelessness in our friends and family. I share tips and resources for talking about suici...

This episode, I interview Sam Landa, a therapist and teacher from Virginia - who shares a Christian perspective on feeling "good enough" as a parent, while also sharing the science of attachment styles and how all of this relates to our relationship with God - and our kids' relationship with God. He shares a clear message of hope amidst times that can sometimes feel out of our contr...

If you are tired of just always punishing your child by taking things away, give this episode a listen! If you are wondering what other ESSENTIAL tools I need to keep in my toolbox as a parent - this is one of them. This episode is about using our relationship with our child, and our natural emotions as a parent to help our child know how to behave in the future. Emotions can be powerful motivator...

I love hearing your questions. Today, I answer a question about how to help our kids with anxiety, and social anxiety. Often, we parents want to know, "Is my kid okay?" and "How do I help?" This episode, I will cover these important questions, while giving practical tips to help with teen anxiety. If YOU have a question, I want to hear it! Just click this link and fill out the...

This episode is a must-listen for all of us who have said things we didn't mean - or maybe still struggle in some moments of frustration to say what we mean. Too often, we say things in frustration about our kids - they are "being a jerk" or "being a brat" or "being a baby." None of these things are helpful to our kids or our relationship with them. Listen in for...

This episode, I discuss the TOP 3 reasons we have felt guilty over these past several months of quarantine and social distancing. Listen in as I share some helpful tips for managing your guilt and using it for good! We all feel guilty about our parenting decisions. Sometimes that guilt turns into shame messages - which are never helpful to our parenting. I hope this episode shares some insight for...

Trust me when I say....we ALL need this episode. I found myself reflecting over and over about the impact my devices have on my moment-to-moment interactions with my kids after this. Join me and my great friend and colleague, Johanna Voss, as she shares her expertise about screen use and parenting. As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website for parenting book...

On this episode, I am so happy to share my amazing friend and colleague with you. Katie Preston is a school counselor and former social worker, whose outlook so clearly fits what today's kids need in the school building. Listen in as she shares the top three things teachers and administrators want us to remind our kids about! As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check o...

This was such an enlightening episode for me to be a part of. I am so thankful for the wisdom that my friend and therapist, Kali Wolken, shared today. Her area of expertise includes helping individuals work through career-related issues. Tune in to hear what she says we should be doing now with our kids and teens! As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website fo...

Feeling TOTALLY OVER e-learning?  Not sure how you can be both a mom and a teacher? Beth shares the TOP 5 tip for e-learning success in this episode. Don't forget to share with a friend! :) As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website for parenting books, inspirational tees and ongoing blog posts - www.makewordsmatterforgood.com. Finally, a HUGE shout out...

Let's face it...e-learning is stressful and frustrating for almost all of us at some point or another!  This episode will walk you through some easy-to-apply tips to manage both YOU and YOUR child's frustration during e-learning sessions.  As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website for parenting books, inspirational tees and ongoing blog posts - www...

We all know routines are super important for our kids. It's just that sometimes... it seems e-learning is so overwhelming, routines just get thrown out the window! This episode will share some strategies for making that routine for e-learning more approachable for everyone! As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website for parenting books, inspirational tee...

This one is SUPER important. And I'll be honest, I sorta forgot about all of this when I was starting e-learning with my own kids. Trust me, this episode will open your eyes to why your child may be acting out during e-learning time. Breaks, breaks, breaks! As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website for parenting books, inspirational tees and ongoing blo...

Okay. So I know you are thinking..."GIRL...there ain't NO JOY in e-learning!"  Okay. So I hear you. But I want to encourage you to think a little bit outside the box here to find opportunities that may be hidden within e-learning these days.  As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website for parenting books, inspirational tees and ongoing blog pos...

Today, my friend and colleague (and fellow kid therapist), Amanda Owens, joins me to talk about how kids are looking to us to make (and maintain) positive changes. Amanda shares her expertise as a therapist and ways that you can help your kids as we ask them to make changes within themselves. As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or check out our website for parenting books, ins...

I am in LOVE with this episode. My amazingly wise friend and fellow kid therapist, Jody McQuitty, shares countless "nuggets" of information to help parents of teens as we walk through this COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Her experience and discussion here opened my eyes to new ways of thinking for me and I know it will for you, too! As always, be sure to FOLLOW us on Facebook @MWMwithKids or...