What I Want My Kids to Know: Parenting Strategies to Raise Resilient, Real-World Ready Kids

Kids learn a tremendous amount from their own mistakes, but they can learn just as much from the world happening around them. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know , Mykayla shares how to help children reflect on other people’s choices, behaviors, and mistakes to build integrity, emotional intelligence, and strong decision-making skills. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why reflection bu...

It’s natural to want to protect our kids from mistakes and discomfort, but those moments are often the best teachers. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know , Mykayla shares how letting kids experience natural consequences can build real-life skills like responsibility, problem-solving, and self-control. You’ll learn how to step back with empathy, support reflection without rescuing, and h...

Parenting through busy or exhausting seasons can leave us feeling stretched thin and disconnected. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know , Mykayla shares how to stay emotionally connected to your kids when your energy is running low. You’ll learn practical, grace-filled strategies for keeping communication open, finding small moments of connection, and showing your kids that love and pres...

Giving kids real responsibilities at home isn’t just about lightening our load. It’s about building confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know , Mykayla shares practical ways to help kids take ownership in daily routines, from small chores to bigger contributions that strengthen family teamwork. You’ll hear simple strategies for introducing h...

In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know , Mykayla talks with Sophia Vale Galano , licensed clinical social worker and author of Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teen Cope with Worry . Sophia shares insight from her decade of experience working with teens and families, including why anxiety has become so common, how to tell the difference between normal worry and cli...

We’re revisiting one of the most foundational episodes of What I Want My Kids to Know: Episode 3, How to Have Hard Conversations With Your Kids. If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to your child about something uncomfortable, like friendship struggles, mistakes, emotions, or boundaries, this episode will help you feel more confident and prepared. You’ll learn practical tools for approaching tricky...

Impulsivity is a normal part of childhood, but self-control is a skill we can teach. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know , I’m sharing five practical strategies to help kids slow down, think before they act, and make more thoughtful choices. You’ll learn simple tools for everyday situations, ways to model self-control at home, and how to turn impulsive moments into skill-building opport...

Family life is full of small moments that shape big skills. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know , I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what our family is loving in our rhythms and routines, and what each of us is learning as we grow through a new season. You’ll hear practical ideas for connection, encouragement for the harder moments, and a reminder that real-world skills are built i...

In this final episode of the back-to-school series, we’re reframing English, Language Arts, and Social Studies. Instead of focusing on grades, I’ll show you how to connect these subjects to communication, critical thinking, and perspective-taking; skills that matter more than ever in a world shaped by technology, AI, and constant information. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Why strong co...

When kids complain about schoolwork, “When will I ever use this?” it’s tempting to dismiss the question. But what if that curiosity is actually the key to motivation? In this episode, I explore how parents can respond in ways that shift the focus from memorizing formulas and facts to the hidden skills kids are really practicing. Through the lens of math and science, we’ll look at how perseverance,...

Conflict is an unavoidable part of life, and managing it is an essential skill for our kids to learn. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know , we’re exploring how to help children handle disagreements with honesty, respect, and confidence. You’ll learn how to model healthy conflict at home, teach your kids practical tools for tough moments, and guide them in knowing when it’s time to walk...

This week we’re starting a 4-part Back to School Series, beginning with one of the most important parts of school life: friendships. Friendship is more than just finding people with common interests—it’s a skill kids practice and build over time. In this episode, I’m breaking down practical ways parents can guide their kids in learning to be good friends, while also protecting themselves from unhe...

Do your kids ever hide the things they love to fit in? In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know, we explore how to encourage kids to lean into their interests, talents, and quirks with confidence. You’ll hear practical ways to celebrate individuality, support unique passions, and guide kids toward friendships built on respect, not sameness. We’ll cover: Why embracing individuality builds res...

Ever taken your kids somewhere fun, like the fair, a store, or an event, only to spend the whole time saying “no” to requests for more treats, more toys, and more activities? You’re not alone. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know, we’re talking about how to help your kids navigate public spaces full of temptation and comparison without constant battles. You’ll learn why kids naturally st...

When kids learn flexibility, they don’t just cope better with canceled playdates or changed routines, they build a skill that will serve them for life. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know, we’ll talk about how to raise kids who can handle change with confidence, empathy, and resilience. I’ll share real-life strategies that work in everyday moments, from prepping kids for events to helpi...

Failure and disappointment are a part of life—but how we help our kids navigate those moments can shape their self-worth, motivation, and long-term success. In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Blais, a resilience and growth mindset coach, to talk about what it really means to raise kids who can bounce back after hard moments. We explore how parents can support kids through disappointment witho...

Time management for kids is about more than checklists and chore charts—it’s about helping them align their time with what matters most to them. In this episode, we explore how to guide kids in building self-awareness, prioritizing their goals, and learning through natural consequences. Plus, I’m joined by two special guests—my brother Luke and our dad—for a powerful real-life story about time man...

When our kids show up week after week for practice, lessons, rehearsals, or meetings—they’re doing more than building a skill. They’re building confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and identity. In this episode, we’re talking about how to support your child through whatever they’re passionate about—without turning it into pressure. Whether your child is trying something new, losing interest in...

We’ve spent the last two episodes talking about the expectations our kids face from the world around them—and the ones they place on themselves. But there’s one more piece of the puzzle: the expectations they have of other people. In this episode, we’re digging into what it means to help our kids form realistic, healthy expectations in relationships—and how to support them when those expectations...

Your child’s inner voice shapes the way they see themselves—and the way they respond to the world around them. So how do we help kids build a voice that’s kind, resilient, and reflective? In this episode, we’re digging into how self-talk forms, why it matters more than we often realize, and how it ties into intrinsic motivation and self-accountability. You’ll hear real-life stories, practical idea...

We all want our kids to feel motivated, proud, and capable—but what happens when that motivation starts to feel more like pressure? In this episode, we’re digging into external expectations—the ones placed on our kids by school, peers, sports, teachers, or even us as parents. We’ll talk about how kids absorb these expectations, when they start to feel like pressure, and how to help our children pr...

We all want to talk honestly with our kids—but when the moment comes, many of us freeze. We worry about saying the wrong thing, making a problem worse, or pushing our kids away. And sometimes, because of all that fear, we say nothing at all. In this episode, we’re digging into what holds us back from hard conversations—and how to move forward with confidence, connection, and care. You’ll learn: Wh...

We’ve all been there—your child melts down over the wrong color cup, or slams their bedroom door over a coat. In those moments, you start second-guessing everything. Am I being too soft? Too strict? Too emotional? Too cold? Here’s the good news: You don’t have to be a therapist to raise emotionally intelligent kids.  In this episode, we’re talking all about emotional intelligence—what it is, why i...

Welcome to the very first episode of What I Want My Kids to Know! I’m so glad you’re here. In this intro episode, I’m sharing the heart behind this podcast—why I started it, what I believe about parenting, and what you can expect each week. You’ll also hear a bit about my background as a school psychologist, a parent of three girls, and someone who deeply believes in the power of intentional conve...

Welcome to What I Want My Kids to Know, a podcast for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to raise thoughtful, emotionally aware kids. In this trailer, host Mykayla Sygulla shares the heart behind the show and what you can expect in future episodes—real conversations to help you connect, reflect, and grow together.