PG-ish

As I gave my introduction during the Pandemic Parenting Survival Summit over the weekend, I realized that I've never truly given that introduction to you, my listeners. So today, I'd like to take you back 5 years to the start of a journey that has led me to where I am today. And as you keep figuring out life one day at a time, just remember that we're all in this together. I'd love to know what yo...

I know that as a parent right now, you're working double time as the teacher, caregiver, home taskmaster, and chef. But our teachers are also carrying a load that seems all too unbearable. And some of them are going above and beyond to make real connections with our kids during a difficult time. Teachers have the unique ability to be heroes, if they choose to be. Today's clip features teacher Rita...

It's a big week! I'm celebrating my 100th episode, and I'm hosting The Pandemic Parenting Survival Summit this weekend! It's amazing to think back to when those were both just small ideas, and now to see them happening. Too often we allow the outside world to dictate what we think is real or possible; when actually we have much more power to control our circumstances simply by how we allow ourselv...

Does it feel like Groundhog Day? Every day seems the same, and we start to wonder if our daily efforts are pointless. But making real change in the type of person we want to be, and especially the type of people we want our kids to be, takes time and daily doses of intentionality. In today's clip, James Clear explains how every action that you take is actually a vote for the type of person that yo...

It's becoming more and more challenging for us to spend real time interacting with the people and world around us. We carry screens in our pockets that vie for our attention at every moment. What is happening to our minds and relationships while we so easily relinquish our lives to a machine? Joshua Freedman, a leading specialist on emotional intelligence, gives us a 3-step process to bring more h...

With all of the plot twists of 2020, how many of you are feeling numb, hollow, and desperate for change? How many of you are holding up a facade, while you're actually ready to fall apart? And all the while, we think that the answer is to keep each piece in place as we check off the boxes on our busy to-do lists. But what if our success could actually increase if we just stop for a moment... to pl...

We're so used to thinking that in order to be a better parent, we need to work harder, to be everything, to do it all and do it well - probably while holding our fifth cup of coffee for the day. But sleep scientist Matt Walker tells a different story. Could it be that we need to rethink our priorities as we chase our big goals and dreams? You can find the full clip here , and for more info about M...

Today is Throwback Thursday (see episode 7) in honor of one of my favorite speakers, Sir Ken Robinson. He explains why and how we should encourage our kids to pursue their passions in order to create opportunities. Life isn't linear or static - we get to create and recreate all the time! We're never stuck; we simply have to be open to the impossible. You can find the full clip here , and for more...

Are you raising a rebel? Rather, do you see the value in raising a rebel? Most parents do everything possible to avoid encouraging rebellious habits. But what if being a certain kind of rebel actually makes you more resilient, resourceful, and creative? Today, family and relationship psychologist Dr. Justin Coulson will explore the difference between reflexive and reflective rebels, and take us on...

Let's talk about empathy. I feel like I used to be more empathetic, before life got so busy and complicated. And today's children, growing up in the age of selfies and immediate gratification, are showing a rapid decrease in levels of empathy. But why is empathy so important for our future, and how do we nurture it in our kids? Listen to today's clip with educational psychologist Michele Borba to...

Do you allow yourself to pursue your passions? Do you leave room in your life for creativity? Sadly, as adults, the answer is often no. We can learn a lot from watching our kiddos, as they have no agenda, no habits to prevent them from daring to dream, and no limits to their imagination. Today's clip features Ethan Hawke as he shares about how we need to be courageous enough to tap into our passio...

Do you believe you can change the world? Okay, it seems daunting (and sometimes unrealistic - especially when you're barely leaving the house!). But what if we all believed we could change things one small task at a time? As you begin a new school year with different challenges and routines, the benefit is that YOU have the opportunity to create new systems that work for your family. Today's episo...

If you feel like you've been on the verge of mental and physical fatigue and don't know how you'll manage to see the new year, today's talk is for you - because your quality of life matters. In order to show up as the parent you want to be, you need to take care of yourself and allow yourself to dream about the possibilities that life holds. Today's clip with psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Srini...

It has been a CRAZY couple of weeks as schools are changing their stance on what the fall will look like for students. As a parent, I've been overwhelmed trying to make the best decision for my daughters and their education - even so far as to worry how this will affect their options for a college education! How could any parent know what the landscape of education will look like in one month, or...

Full transparency… My home is not always filled with "Insta-perfect" happy smiles. Three girls living together creates plenty of drama  - and we haven't even hit the teenage years! But I'm learning that as the parent, I set the example of how to regulate and respond to emotions in a helpful way. How we respond to our children's feelings has the potential to propagate anxiety and depression, or kin...

We all make choices every day about how we respond to what comes our way. The habits we choose, day in and day out, the words we speak, how we show kindness and compassion, and ultimately how we decide to live our lives has a huge impact on our kiddos and how they approach the world, their relationships, and their ambition. Today Rick Rigsby reminds us that what matters is not our degrees, our pre...

How many conversations have you had with your kids about being a problem solver when they hit an obstacle? We tell them if they want to see change, they should think about how they're showing up in the situation. Are they helping or hurting? Are they part of the problem or the solution? But we also need to take a look at our own response to obstacles to set the example of caring enough to make cha...

This one is for you - the multitasking parent who is managing all the work tasks, home tasks, and kid tasks at once. Even when we most think we want quiet time, we're so accustomed to the noise that we end up craving distractions. When we finally have a moment to ourselves, we scroll through social media or watch Netflix. In today's episode, Manoush Zomorodi talks about her research with various n...

Today we're talking about bravery. Have you ever noticed that we as parents tend to be so protective of our girls as they grow, but we encourage our boys to take risks and be courageous? I myself am a recovering perfectionist, always wanting to do things just right. As a mom of girls, I relate to the idea of wanting to help my daughters be the best they can be, rather than encouraging them to try...

Being intentional with our time, with the end goal of creating connection and memories with our children, is important in the early years. It doesn't have to be a huge investment or a trip around the globe (although no one is doing that now anyway), to make an impact. Join Erin and her daughter as they discuss why road trips are one of their favorite ways to fill their summers, create long lasting...

Erin shares about her sources of stress, often centered around parenting, and how our children wish (secretly or openly) that us parents were less stressed and happier. She then shares a clip from a talk by Bruce Feiler about the "Agile Model."    You can find the full talk here .    Connect with Erin on her website, pgishparenting.com .   We'd love to know what you think and have you join in on t...

Erin talks about how making memories with her kids stretches her at times before she shares a clip from a talk by Austeja Landsbergiene, a Lithuanian preschool owner. Austeja encourages us to let go of our expectations, to lead with love and kindness, with an eye on what will matter when our children are our age.    You can find the full talk here .    For more ways to build connection and traditi...

Erin shares a clip centered around the hot topic of attitude from Behavioral Coach Louise Evans. Louise explores the five choices we always have within our circumstances, responses, and behaviors. Erin challenges us to consider which chair we often sit in and shares how we can use the 5 Chairs to teach our kids about tough topics.   You can find the full talk here .    Learn more about Louise Evan...

It's finally time for a Throwback Thursday episode...not because of a milestone, but because this clip addresses a topic we need to hear now more than ever. Parents, it's up to us to have conversations to break the cycle of racism. It's up to us to help form the beliefs our children are going to believe. Our beliefs affect our behavior and actions in life, so they better be good. Biz Lindsay-Ryan...

Erin shares an inspiring clip from Poet Ali to remind us that language is more than just the words that we speak. She also challenges us to think about what language we can learn to bring us together instead of creating more division.   You can find the full talk here .    Learn more about Poet Ali here .   We'd love to know what you think and join in on the conversation! Subscribe, leave a review...