Powerful Parenting

Strong parent partnerships are crucial for school success, and in this episode, Jennifer Pitcher dives into the importance of self-care for parents to combat burnout. She is joined by Megan Donohue, a behavioral therapist with extensive experience in dialectical behavior therapy, who sheds light on how parents can set limits and expectations for their children while maintaining their own well-bein...

Anxiety in young children can be a real challenge for parents, and today we're diving deep into this important topic. Jenny Pitcher, Lower School Director at Detroit Country Day School, along with Caitlin Quenneville, our Lower School Mental Health Counselor, who brings over 15 years of experience working with kids and families. We’ll explore what anxiety looks like in children, how it manifests,...

Finding balance in our children's lives is a crucial theme we dive into today, exploring how families can shift their focus from screens or overscheduling activities to more meaningful interactions and more downtime. Jenny Pitcher, Lower School Director at Detroit Country Day School, along with three amazing lower school parents, highlight the importance of integrating playtime, downtime, and fami...

Toilet training can be a challenging milestone, and in this episode, Jennifer Pitcher along with Lisa Mando, a board certified behavior analyst and co-Founder of Blooming Pathways Behavior Consulting Services dive deep into what it really takes for both kids and parents to navigate this process successfully. Lisa emphasizes that readiness isn't just about the child—it's about the whole family bein...

Sleep is a fundamental pillar for children's health and development, and in our latest episode, we dive deep into the importance of addressing sleep challenges that many families face. I'm joined by Dr. Andrea Roth, a licensed psychologist and clinical director at Thriving Minds, who specializes in tackling sleep issues for kids from infancy through adolescence. We explore how sleep problems can a...

Fostering independence in our children is more important than ever, especially as technology increasingly encroaches on their development. Today, we sit down with Nicole Runyon, a psychotherapist, parent coach, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book  Free To Fly: The Secret To Fostering Independence In The Next Generation , who sheds light on how excessive screen time, combined w...

Today, we're diving into the world of preschool readiness with Lisa Morgan, Detroit Country Day School PreK3 and PreK4 Dean of Students and PreK Science Specialist. One of the main takeaways from our conversation is that preparing your child for preschool is about more than just academics; it’s about fostering independence and confidence. Lisa emphasizes the importance of routines at home—like enc...

Self-care for parents isn't just a luxury; it's essential for effective parenting, and that's the main point we're diving into today. I’m joined by Melinda Zatkoff and Dr. Alex Grushky, who share their personal journeys of incorporating self-care routines into their busy lives. We discuss how carving out even a few minutes for ourselves can lead to being more present and patient with our children....