Thriving Kids

In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions following last week’s conversation with Jennifer Wallace on toxic achievement culture and helping kids feel like they matter. Parents asked practical, hard questions about failure, pressure, motivation, and emotional regulation. This episode focuses on striking a balance — between support and independence, stru...

In this episode of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson speaks with Jennifer Wallace , an award-winning journalist and author, about her books Never Enough and Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose . They discuss the culture of toxic achievement and how fostering a sense of mattering can serve as an antidote. Wallace shares research findings on mattering, practical strategies...

Parenting teens can feel confusing and exhausting — especially when connection starts to slip. In this Thriving Kids Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson from the Child Mind Institute answers real questions from parents about staying connected to teenagers during adolescence. We cover: Why teens can be warm and talkative with other adults but distant at home How memes, TikToks, and inside jokes stil...

Parenting a teen can feel like walking on eggshells. Conversations can turn into conflict. Teens may pull away, and parents may wonder how to navigate boundaries and stay connected. In this episode of the Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart to talk about what actually helps build a stronger, healthier relationship with your teen — even duri...

How do you talk to kids about the hard stuff — without making their worries worse? In this Thriving Kids Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents about how to talk with kids and teens about difficult, emotionally loaded topics in calm, developmentally appropriate ways. Drawing on clinical experience from his work at the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Anderson walks through...

Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about what kids actually need to cope, connect, and grow up healthy today. They cover: Why letting kids experience big feelings builds resilience How listening (not lecturing) strengthens connection What parents get wrong about screens and tech Why avoiding hard topics doesn’t protect kids How everyday conv...

Join Dr. Dave Anderson for this special Q&A edition of Thriving Kids , where he addresses parenting questions ranging from managing a 6-year-old's meltdowns to navigating screen time battles to keeping the peace between siblings. Dr. Anderson offers advice on emotion regulation, developing coping skills, setting effective boundaries, and more. 

Dr. Dave Anderson and special guest Dr. Marc Brackett , the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, discuss the importance of understanding and managing emotions. Dr. Brackett shares insights from his books, Permission to Feel and Dealing with Feeling , and highlights practical strategies. Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this conversation offers valuable g...

In this Q&A follow-up to last week’s Thanksgiving special, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions about emotional self-regulation, holiday expectations, and the stress that comes with getting everyone together under one roof. You’ll hear quick, practical guidance on: Managing holiday expectations so you don’t end up disappointed How much to plan during winter break Loosening screen limit...

The holidays can feel like a marathon for parents — full of expectations, logistics, and emotions. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with clinical psychologist (and new parent) Dr. Kimberly Alexander about what she calls “running the gauntlet” of the holiday season. They unpack how to manage your own expectations, keep kids regulated, and handle tricky family moments — without losing your s...

Parents sent in smart, honest questions about how to keep conversations about sex, consent, and safety going at home. In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson from the Child Mind Institute , answers questions about when to start, what’s age-appropriate, and how to talk about everything from consent to porn — without losing your kid’s trust. You’ll learn how to: • Start early ta...

Talking to kids about sex, consent, and safety can feel intimidating — or like something you’d rather put off. But kids are already getting information from somewhere, and it’s not always accurate or safe. In this episode of Thriving Kids , clinical psychologist and host Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Angela Glymph , CEO of Peer Health Exchange , about how to have honest, age-appropriate convers...

In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about raising teenagers. Building on last week’s conversation with Dr. Lisa Damour , he shares research-backed guidance for navigating everything from therapy resistance and social media boundaries to privacy battles, motivation slumps, and shifting moods — all while maintaining connection and keeping comm...

Adolescence can feel intense, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming for families. In this episode of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lisa Damour , psychologist and best-selling author, to share compassionate, practical guidance on what most powerfully supports teen mental health. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Damour explains why strong, caring relationships with adults are...

In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about kids and sleep. From breaking the habit of co-sleeping to tackling bedtime fears, setting routines that stick, and knowing when to drop naps, he offers practical strategies to make nights calmer for the whole family. What you’ll learn: • Step-by-step ways to help kids learn to fall asleep independent...

Building healthy sleep habits is one of the most important and sometimes most challenging parts of parenting. In this episode of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Shelby Harris , a clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist, to share compassionate, practical guidance for families looking to improve their child’s sleep. Drawing on years of experience helping kids...

How do you support your child through grief when you’re grieving too? In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about helping kids navigate death, loss, and big emotions. He covers how to support neurodivergent kids when grief shows up as anger or outbursts, how much to show your own emotions, when grief becomes something more serious, and even the sur...

How do I talk to my child about death and grief — without making things worse or shutting down their feelings? In this episode of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Katie Peinovich, LCSW , to share compassionate, practical guidance for supporting kids through loss. Drawing on years of experience working with children in New York City schools who’ve faced trauma, Peinovich explains wh...

How do you help your child do well in school — without constant stress or conflict?  In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about supporting kids’ academic success. He covers how to support teens when they're unmotivated, what to do when school doesn’t fit your child’s learning style, balancing activities without burnout, keeping kids focused when t...

How can I help my child do better in school — without pushing too hard or taking over? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Adam Zamora , a neuropsychologist at the Child Mind Institute, to talk about how to build the habits, mindset, and support systems that help kids thrive academically. From kindergarten through college, they cover everything from procrastination and motivation...

Parenting teenagers can feel like a rollercoaster — mood swings, pushback, and “leave me alone”… until they need a ride. In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ real questions about staying connected when teens shut you out, handling blow-ups, setting boundaries that actually stick, spotting the signs of depression, and helping teens cope with rejection and so...

In this special episode of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with NYU social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt for a live conversation on how smartphones and social media are transforming childhood — and what parents, schools, and policymakers can do in response. Recorded at Guild Hall in East Hampton, they discuss the questions raised in Dr. Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation — inclu...

Raising a teenager isn’t easy — but it is possible to stay connected. In this episode of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Janine Domingues to explore how caregivers can support teens through adolescence — from emotional shutdowns to risky behavior to the weird world of YouTube. Together they unpack: • What’s really going on in the adolescent brain • How to connect with your tee...

How do you help your child feel confident in who they are without putting pressure on them to be perfect or the best at everything? In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson answers questions from listeners about how to support self-esteem in kids and teens. Building healthy self-worth isn’t just about praise — it’s about helping young people feel capable, valued, and grounded e...

In a world full of comparison — from the classroom to social media — it’s not always easy for kids to feel confident, capable, and valued just as they are. In this episode of Thriving Kids , Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Jenny Louie , a psychologist in the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, to explore how parents can help children develop healthy self-esteem. You’ll hear ab...