Proactive Parenting with Deanna Marie Mason PhD

This episode is based on new research about how the risk of cyberbullying is increasing because our children are spending more time online for learning and socialising.  While we can't change how our children's education is being conducted during these uncertain times with COVID-19, we can support and monitor them to reduce the negative effects of cyberbullying. Topics included in this e...

This episode is was inspired by a listener question about why some children scream all the time. So I've taken this issue and broken it down into the two main reasons that children learn to scream - they are accidentally taught as small infants to scream as a way to interact with parents or children are frantic for connection with their parents to help them deal with strong emotions. During t...

In this episode we are going to talk about the importance being proactive in discussing race and racism with children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has made a new recommendation that parents proactively engage with children about racism because racism affects all children, both directly and indirectly. The information explored in this episode is based on the policy statement of the AAP...

This episode is based on new research about how snacking can undermine healthy behaviours, like sport participation. Researcher have compared the number of calories that children consume after sporting activities to the number of calories that they burned while playing. They found that children are eating and drinking more calories from their snacks than what they are expending while playing.  The...

This episode is focused on the importance of dealing with aggressive behaviours in early childhood. Most parents think that small children will eventually outgrow aggressive behaviours but the research is clear - children to not naturally outgrow hurtful behaviours without assistance from adults. Children need to be guided on how to move from hurtful behaviours to caring behaviours. There is a lot...

This episode is focused on how accidental parenting occurs and what parents can do to avoid the risks of engaging in accidental parenting. Simply put, accidental parenting happens when we use a parenting technique or approach that does not sufficiently take into account the development of our child. Because of this, the anticipated results aren't achieved and we find that we have actually cre...

This episode is focused on what happens when children are raised without learning values. Values can seem outdated, but the research is clear that values are central to raising children who will mature into adults that are ready to take on all of life's challenges and joys. Values are what we use to understand situations, choose our actions and evaluate our responses. Without values, these pr...

This episode is focused the important parenting topic of limits and discipline. While there are many different opinions and perspectives about the application of limits and discipline, the research and science support the use of limits and discipline throughout childhood and adolescence to teach our children values. Limits and discipline communicate what is important to our family. When we structu...

This episode is focused on the difference between your child's chronological age and their developmental age. Chronological age is easy to measure, it is the number of birthdays that our children have had. It is easy to measure and is useful in knowing when to start school, drive a car, or vote. Developmental age is more complex and is related to how our child is developing in various areas,...

This episode is focused on what we can do when we catch our child telling lies. By understanding how their development at each age and stage influences why and how they lie, it is easier for us to know how to respond.  Most importantly, when we understand why our children lie, we can use those interactions as teachable moments to bring us closer with our children. To help us reach this goal, the c...

This episode is focused on how overindulgence can rob our children's happiness. Watching our kiddos' faces light up with joy when they receive a gift, go for ice cream, get showered with attention or are allowed a privilege can lead us to repeat these activities frequently. However, the more our children receive, the more they view these extras as "normal." This sets them up to...

This episode continues exploring how separation anxiety is made worse during COVID-19. While the previous episode discussed how separation anxiety as a natural developmental process at each age and stage during "normal" times and described how separation anxiety typically appears in children, this episode uses that information as a base to go over how parents may see more separation anxi...

This is the first of a two-part podcast focused on separation anxiety. In this first episode, we will be exploring separation anxiety at each age and stage as a natural developmental response. Separation anxiety generally occurs as a response to change and our child's desire to either slow down or stop what is happening because they feel overwhelmed.  Going through each age range, a descripti...

This episode is focused on what it means to be a Proactive Parent and why proactive parenting can lead to a more sustainable future for your family. By learning about your child's development you will be able to adapt to your child's needs as they grow. In understanding what behaviour you can expect from your child, you'll be able to better balance all the needs of your family - inc...

Proactive Parenting is based on validated theories and scientific research to provide the information you need to care for your modern family. Not everyone grew up in a completely healthy family of origin and consequently may be unsure of how to be a parent when they start a family. Proactive Parenting was created for parents who need a solid foundation to start raising their children, and for par...