Parenting The Adlerian Way

In this episode I talk to the co-authors of the book, “Digging Into Nature: Outdoor Adventures For Happier And Healthier Kids”, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and co-authored by pediatricians Dr Glassy and Dr Tandon.    We discuss Dr Tandon’s extensive research into the benefits children get from spending time in nature, what nature might look like for urban dweller...

This is a vital episode for all parents. Listen and learn how to get all the education, resources and support you can for your child’s vision thanks to The Canadian National Institute for the Blind. CNIB’s VP Suzanne Decary-van den Broek and CNIB’s Family Guide, Sharon Kanhai-Johnston share some interesting research facts with me. Did you know most parents are unwittingly putting their children at...

Q1. My child is not in a class with his friends. Should I request to move him? Q2. My child suffers from “post-school collapse” behaviours. Q3.  Managing being punctual and getting to school on time.  Do you have a parenting question for me? Email them to hello@alysonschafer.com   Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.alysonschafer.com and check out the “Events” tab for my upcomi...

NYT best-selling author Dr Leonard Sax joins the podcast to discuss his book, and to make us aware of the toxic effects the trend towards more gentle, permissive parenting can have on our kids. In our conversation, he provides many evidence-based examples to support his years of observations as a physician managing family care.  Check out Dr Sax here at www.leonardsax.com Do you have a parent...

Stacey Stewart, the CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), talks with me about the impact that our parenting style has on saving lives by the way we approach prevention of drinking and driving. MADD has created a free, evidence-based, resource to help parents apply the best approach – download it here:  Power of Parents Handbook https://online.flippingbook.com/view/320259548/ MADD’s Soc...

Q1. How to respond to the dramatic emotional displays of my son? Q2. Strategies to give my son more responsibilities when he is not following through? Q3. As a mom, how do I stay out of the power struggles between dad and son when it impacts me? Do you have a parenting question for me? Email them to hello@alysonschafer.com   Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.alysonschafer.com Hosted on...

Join me as I talk to family relations expert Dr. Taniesha Burke from Germany about the importance of parent-child relationships, how to foster them and the importance of understanding culture and meaning-making. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, with its’ more hierarchical, autocratic parenting style, Dr. Burke studied and discusses how Jamaican mothers perceive closeness and intimacy and how the...

Mollie Thorn has been teaching parent education and also counselling families for decades.  Mollie is now a proud grandparent and that means yet another application of Adlerian wisdom! She discusses the Pennsylvania Dutch expression “Grin, Bite Your Tongue and Bear Gifts” to describe best grandparenting practices. We talk about Mollie and her husband Phil’s journey with Adlerian psychology ov...

Q1. 12 year old boy doesn’t play, but instead annoys and bothers others.  Q2. 5 year old in kindergarten has a friend who says “you’re not my friend” if they don’t get their way.  Do you have a parenting question for me? Email me at alyson@alysonschafer.com   Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.alysonschafer.com   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

Having kids invites a host of other problems into the martial relationship if they are not addressed properly. Unfair division of labour, feeling unappreciated, changes in intimacy levels, a drop in the fun experienced together, power imbalances, and more can plague a relationship.  The good news is these issues are an invitation to dig deeper and grow together. Join Adlerian marriage counsel...

In this special episode, I speak with Fabiana Bacchini, the Executive Director for The Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF) about the difficult challenges a family faces when having a premature birth, and the tremendous support their organization provides. We discuss a very important campaign that is underway to support their work.  In partnership with Walmart Canada®, Pampers® Canada...

Meaghan Haley discusses her journey from a trauma-filled childhood that led her to seek out support from an Adlerian counsellor, to becoming an Adlerian therapist and teacher herself.  Now she is the mother of three young children (ages 5, 2.5 and 1) and she is being challenged to practice what she has learned in a whole new way. If you worry about being a “good enough” mom, give this a liste...

Q1. 6th grade girl is the target of a mean “best friend”.  Q2. My kids live in a two-household arrangement, and the other home doesn’t have structure.  Q3. 16yr old daughter changed schools halfway through the school year and while she has a couple of new friends, she still stays in room and is lonely. Do you have a parenting question for me?  Email me at alyson@alysonschafer.com &n...

Q1. How do we talk to our kids about racism and the George Floyd riots?  Q2. My son saw the video of George Floyd’s murder. How do I help him process his emotions?  Q3. What can I do as a white parent to ensure I don’t raise a racist and do my part to eradicate racism?  Do you have a parenting question for me? Submit it to hello@alysonschafer.com     Sign up for my monthly...

Q1. How do I get my 12 yr old son who has become moody, to open up and talk to me about what is wrong? Q2. My kids are starting to play on the street with social distancing rules, but I don’t trust them to actually keep their distance. What do I do? Q3. My 8 year old son is exhibiting anxiety in going out in public now that more things are opening up. How do I help him? Q4. The whole family h...

Q1. I am using your Adlerian parenting approaches but my husband has not studied them yet. How can I manage our different parenting styles?  Q2. I am trying your techniques on ignoring when the kids fight and just walking away, but they follow me or they get physical with one another. What do I do? Q3. My kids are using Zoom calls to stay connected with friends but when I check they...

Alyson’s thoughts on education and homeschooling during Covid.  Q1. My daughter struggles with math and says “I’m stupid”. How do I get her to do her online math homework without a fight?  Q2. My son does his homeschooling online in the morning from his bedroom, but when I check on him, he is on YouTube. How do I get him to do schoolwork without policing?  Q3. (24:24) My s...

Q1. 2 yr old competitive dancer has gained a lot of weight during the pandemic and I want to bring this up to her properly, and in a healthy way.  Q2. 2.5 yr old has lost interest in potty training. How do I motivate them? Q3. 7 yr old loves our new puppy but refuses to follow the rules and be gentle. What should I do?  Q4. 8 yr old is loud and shrieks all the time. How do I get thi...

Q1. What are the consequences for a 12 yr old daughter who is mean to her 9 yr old brother?  Q2. When is it okay to swear? My 13 year old just started.  Q3. Help in bringing back and improving family meetings now that they are teenagers. Do you have a parenting question for me? Submit it to hello@alysonschafer.com     Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.alysonschafer.com H...

Q1. Attached toddler won’t let mom out of her sight in the house. Q2. 6 year old still soiling underpants.  Q3. How to deal with lying.  Link to Po Bronson’s Article on lying research:  https://nymag.com/news/features/43893/ Do you have a parenting question for me? Submit it to hello@alysonschafer.com   Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.alysonschafer.com and receive...

Q1. I’m trying to work from home, but I am getting nothing done with the kids at home.  HELP. Q2. My kids keep coming into my home office and interrupting my work.  Q3. What is it with being on a phone call? As soon as I take a call my kids demand my attention.  Do you have a parenting question for me? Submit it to hello@alysonschafer.com   Sign up for my monthly newsletter at...

Q1. How do I explain COVID and the pandemic to my kids?  Q2. How do I entertain my kids all day long during lock down?  Q3. How can I get my child to just settle and focus? Do you have a parenting question for me? Submit it to hello@alysonschafer.com   Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.alysonschafer.com   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am so excited to be launching this podcast. In this intro episode, I explain my Adlerian family history and some of the core concepts of Adlerian psychology from which I give parenting advice. So glad to have you onboard. Please feel free to share with your friends, subscribe and write a review!  Happy Parenting Alyson www.alysonschafer.com Do you have a parenting question for me? Submit it...

Dr. Mike Rucker is the author of “ The Fun Habit ”. In this episode we’ll discuss the concept of happiness, the moral injury that can occur when we seek it too much and the benefits and methods for fitting joy and awe into your life and through your parenting.  Additional resource book mentioned in our convo: 50 Dangerous Things (you should let your children do)  Follow Dr. Rucker on all...

Could AI replace standard counselling? It’s certainly cheaper. With the trend towards “manualizing” therapy, maybe we are closer than we know. How do you feel about that? How scared should we be? Adlerian counsellor and teacher/trainer, Calvin Armerding, shares his thoughts with me.   Read the original article and other posts from Calvin on his Substack at: https://calvindarmerding.subst...