The Parent Hope Podcast

In this Rebroadcast of Season 2, Episode 5, the tables are turned! Michelle Varcoe, interviews Dr Jenny Brown to discuss: The importance of co-regulation in parenting. What is co-regulation? Are there potential pitfalls of focusing too much on co-regulation? Consider the role of self-regulation in parenting. Differentiation in Parenting: meaningful connection without invasion. To hear more about M...

Recent studies have found that several of these programs not only failed to help young people but also made their mental health problems worse. Jenny shares some thoughts about this and links it to the Bowen family system ideas of how focusing on a problem in a person can actually project or amplify that problem.  Note: some of the research quoted is discussed in this NY Time article by Darby Saxb...

Jenny reflects on parents' questions about why they would need to be involved in addressing a child’s symptoms if it is from the child’s genetics or brain wiring. Even when genetics plays a part, the research points to the important influence of the child's environment. Parents can impact the environment in many growth-enhancing ways – this is the basis of building parent hope. The book...

Jenny shares some thoughts on how the way we respond to a concern is more impactful than just focusing on the content of the issue. We can research problems such as sleep or screen time issues, but all this information can add to a parent's intensity—considering the effects of our responses on our children is the place where progress and hope are built. Newsletter - https://parenthopeproject....

In this episode, Jenny Brown delves deeper into Differentiation-Based Parenting, exploring how this approach extends beyond the parent-child relationship to include the dynamic between parenting partners. Grounded in Bowen family systems theory, Differentiation-Based Parenting shifts the focus from solely addressing children’s needs and vulnerabilities to encouraging parents to develop greater sel...

In this episode, Jenny Brown introduces a title for the Parent Hope Project's parenting approach. Part one of this series asks the question: Is this just another parenting style with a whole lot of techniques? Part two will explore what this approach looks like beyond the parent-child relationship, extending into the parenting partnership. Differentiation-Based Parenting, rooted in Bowen fami...

In this episode of the podcast, Dr Jenny Brown sits down with Clinical Psychologists Ahmed Tohamy and Samantha Pilcher to explore the challenges of school avoidance and how families can support children in re-engaging with education. Ahmed, who recently spoke at the sold-out School-Link Forum Day Event in Illawarra and Shoalhaven, NSW, shares his experience piloting the Parent Hope Project, a fami...

In this Episode Jenny is back in the hosting seat with guest Dan Papero. Dr Jenny Brown draws on Dan’s rich experience as a Bowen family systems scholar, teacher and clinician. They explore how our families are both the seedbed for symptoms and a garden of recovery. They explore how parents can contribute to their family becoming a garden for the sustainable growth and flourishing of its members -...

In this episode, the tables are turned again as Vicki Wilkins, the Parent Hope Project Professional Programs Coordinator, interviews Dr. Jenny Brown. They discuss the topic of limit setting and responding to children's misbehaviour. Does the family systems approach recognise that parenting involves responding to children’s misbehaviours?  This question seems to come up so much at parent event...

In this episode the tables are turned! Last week's guest, Michelle Varcoe, interviews Dr Jenny Brown to discuss: The importance of co-regulation in parenting. What is co-regulation? Are there potential pitfalls of focusing too much on co-regulation? Consider the role of self-regulation in parenting. Differentiation in Parenting: meaningful connection without invasion. To hear more about Miche...

In this Episode Jenny and Guest Michelle Varcoe discuss tantrums, sleep issues and exhaustion - staying steady (enough) during the early parenting years. Michelle brings her insight into what she sees as the main challenges in trying to stay steady in these very intense, exhausting parenting years. Michelle Varcoe is a mother who is just coming up for air from the early parenting years. She is a s...

In today's episode, Jenny will discuss Marriage and Parenting with a seasoned family therapist, author, Father and Husband, Arum Nadigel. With a special emphasis on Dads, they will explore what it takes to keep a marriage intact through the stresses and strains of the parenting years?   They discuss big questions Like:   What are the main stressors that parenting puts on a marriage?   Are the...

In this episode we will discuss an important finding from Bowen family systems theory: parents can detour our troubles onto our children. This is described as parents projecting the worry onto the offspring.  Dr Carrie Collier will help us to think about this issue and address our build up of worry about children.  How to make sense of the way issues in broader family relationships can increase a...

In this Episode of the Parent Hope Podcast Jenny Brown  explores  “How parents can partner with schools to increase student and family confidence” with Robin Shultz. What makes for a positive partnership between parents and schools? What can get in the way of this? How can parents best deal with worries about how their child is doing at school? Robin Shultz Bio Robyn is a retired school social wor...

The Summer Theme - Parents promoting responsible, age-appropriate independence & avoiding futile power struggles.  These themes are relevant, whatever the age of your child.   Adolescents present unique challenges for parents. For example, the reactive push for independence can be triggering for parents. In this podcast, Jenny reveals how parent efforts to correct behaviours can inadvertently...

The Summer Theme - Parents promoting responsible, age-appropriate independence & avoiding futile power struggles. These themes are relevant, whatever the age of your child. Enjoy this rebroadcast of “Toddler in meltdown- The first push for independence” With toddlers the challenge is managing our responses to their huge learning spurt and push towards independence. This podcast describes 2 dif...

In this episode, we will discuss parenting courses with a family skills community educator. We'll explore what parents get out of carving out time for parenting courses – and are all parenting courses the same?          How can parents get a confidence boost from accessing a parenting course?   Steve will share about differences in parent courses.  He will provide examples of what parents hav...

Join Jenny as she asks Marie Vakakis what she has learned from her  young clients about their relationships with their parents. Parents connecting with their adolescents will explore questions like: How can parents best connect with a seemingly shut-off teen and How not to be intimidated or overwhelmed by the dramatic tech revolution – do parents really need to be up on the latest technology to co...

In this Episode of the Parent Hope Podcast Jenny Brown  explores Grandparenting with Selden Dunbar Illick.  They discuss what makes for flourishing “grandparenting relationships”, with adult children, in-laws, grandchildren and the grandparenting partner if relevant).  With a Family Systems Lens in view they discuss the common pitfalls in these relationships, for example triangles. They will also...

In this episode Jenny talks with Dr Linda Mackay on parenting with a backdrop of trauma and adversity and how this affects building confidence in parenting. Linda MacKay is an accredited psychotherapist & counsellor, who practices in Mudgee, Blaxland and offers online sessions. She is also a lecturer, trainer, and supervisor, with degrees and qualifications in counselling, couple and family th...

This podcast explores a common tension between parents about how each responds to a struggling child. One parent reacts with more nurturing and the other with more firmness. Each feels critical about the other’s management of one of their children.   Amber McPherson, Programs Coordinator at the Parent Hope Project interviews Dr Jenny Brown about parent-style tensions. Jenny has a recently publishe...

In this episode Jenny discusses with Dr Kathleen Smith the challenges and opportunities for parents managing fears and anxieties. What are the challenges of managing anxiety about our kids? What are the opportunities and benefits of parents working on managing their fears?  Kathleen Smith is a licensed therapist and mental health writer who lives in Washington, DC. She has written for popular publ...

In this episode, Jenny Brown will be in discussion with Lauren Errington sharing stories of working with parents who are worried about 1 or more of their children. Lauren is the Executive Director of the Family Systems Institute Sydney. She also lectures at Charles Sturt University and has a clinical practice at the Family Systems Practice Network. The stories shared will reveal what parents gain...

In this episode, Jenny Brown interviews renowned Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Annemaree Bickerton about her work supporting parents managing their child or adolescent's strong, and often dangerous, emotions and behaviours.  Listen to how parents can be a lighthouse for children in stormy times. They listen rather than fix and allow the child to learn to surf the challenging waves of l...

In this podcast, Jenny Brown interviews Susy Lee, prize-winning author, speaker, and educator. They discuss Susy's prize-winning book 'Raising Kids Who Care: Practical Conversations for Exploring Stuff That Matters, Together'. Susy writes: ' In our complex world, we need to be aware of looming pitfalls and be intentional in helping kids navigate their way to compassion and wond...