Zen Pop

Why do some parents make their kids sit on Santa’s lap?  Are your holidays chaotic?  Cathy and Todd want to know why….do you feel like you have to go to the cookie exchange and you have to see Santa?  Instead of the have-tos, celebrate the season YOUR way!  They also discuss the importance of being present for the season and for the gift opening.  Todd decides he wants to “control” gift open...

Todd & Cathy have seen infants and toddlers being taken to movies like The Dark Knight, Breaking Dawn and other adult-themed shows. Todd’s reaction caught Cathy by a bit of a surprise.  Is your reaction different? Cathy’s latest Chicago Parent blog  has more, but from her perspective. Chicago Tribune’s John Kass  thinks ZP Radio’s partner  Poofin  is a “stupid” to...

Pizza is a vegetable? You heard it right, at least according to our lawmakers.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-katz-md/pizza-vegetable_b_1114027.html  Todd finally vents about Congress and their misguided motivation regarding a news story that came out and his new idol Dylan Ratigan.  See why @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlSd9OURbCE How does Cathy reacts to getting flipped off during a mo...

Cathy and Todd discuss the importance of gratitude – for the week of Thanksgiving and for the entire year.  They also discuss the truth behind anger, how to handle our children’s disrespectful or defiant behavior, and how to stay parental rather than resort to kid-like behavior.

Today on Zen Parenting Radio Todd and Cathy discuss the Penn State scandal, Cathy’s latest Chicago Parent blog , and how to keep our children emotionally safe.  It’s time to focus on what we CAN do – it doesn’t help to be fearful or untrusting – instead, we can open up communication in the home by respecting our children’s instincts and respecting what they have...

Cathy and Todd discuss the difference between loving yourself and being vain as discussed in Cathy’s latest Chicago Parent blog . There’s also some tensions as Todd’s been walking out of the room mid discussion with Cathy.  Is it multi-tasking or rude?  Tune in and find out.  

Today on Zen Parenting Radio – are you looking for love, grace, and peace? You don’t need to look outside of yourself, it already lives in your heart! Todd and Cathy discuss Cathy’s most recent  Chicago Parent  blog about the power of our heart center – let’s embrace it and teach our kids to do the same!

Cathy and Todd discuss forcing your children to apologize.  Is there a better way to handle this?  They discuss the balance between teaching manners as socially acceptable behavior vs using the situation as a teachable moment and to go a little deeper.  You could read about it in her Chicago Parent blog as well.

Todd and Cathy discuss uncomfortable conversations and why they are so important – they focus on Cathy’s recent  Chicago Parent  blog….do we fight and pretend it didn’t happen, do we totally avoid, or do we handle disagreements with openness and bravery?

Todd and Cathy discuss the controversy surrounded Walter Payton and discuss Cathy’s new Chicago Parent blog titled   Sweetness in Life:  Lessons from Walter Payton   – is he really “tainted” like the commentators say, or can we see him as a human being with flaws – aren’t we all?  They discuss how parents need to embrace their flaws, how we all need to understand our “shadow” and they do a fantast...

Todd and Cathy discuss Cathy’s article about Mindful Parenting in the October issue of Chicago Parent .  They talk in depth about the 3 simple ideas (breathe, find quiet, smile) that lead to more calm, less chaos, and greater connection to the moment. Speaking of talking in depth – is your book club, bunko group or group of friends interested in talking deep about parenting, self awareness, or sim...

Praise is great, but what are you praising?  Is it the end result or the effort?  Todd and Cathy discuss praise and how to influence a child’s desire to aim higher instead of lower.  Big talks about homework, test scores, and reaching for the stars…..

Do you notice that your child likes to follow and listen to other people?  Do you wish your child would be more of a leader?  Today Cathy and Todd discuss why children “conform”, why this makes parents so uncomfortable, and how to view being a “follower” in a different way. Poofin.com – get your favorite picture and customize a charm!  Go to the “Poofin Factory” and watch the Poofin be made…it’s w...

Supporting our children when they are afraid Does it make your uncomfortable when your children are afraid?  Do you find yourself telling them to stop being afraid rather than comforting them when they need it most?  Listen today as Todd and Cathy discuss children’s fear and anxiety and how we can deal with it in an effective and compassionate way. Poofin.com Don’t forget to use our co...

Todd and Cathy discuss why kids have tantrums and how to look at them differently…..instead of feeling out of control, can we feel compassion and understanding?  And really, adults have tantrums, too, we just call them by a different name, like feeling “impatient”, “stressed” or “overwhelmed”.  Cathy and Todd also discuss how to avoid tantrums (adult and child!) by discussing and processing feelin...

Todd and Cathy discuss miscarriage, share their own personal experiences and focus on the need for grieving, healing and supporting each other through this kind of loss.  They also discuss how giving birth is viewed as a “medical issue” rather than a natural process and highly recommend the documentary The Business of Being Born. Movie quote: Give a different line from the same movie via facebook...

A birth plan is a great idea, but can you really “plan” how your children are born?  Cathy and Todd talk about their birth stories, their thoughts regarding natural birth, and they share life lessons learned through the birth process….

Quit telling your kids how great the school year is going to be….if they feel anxious, let them be anxious!  They don’t need you to tell them how great it’s going to be, they just need your support and validation.  Instead of telling your kids how to feel, let them to you how they feel and know that with your love, they will work through it.  AND, Todd gets deep about attending an American Idol co...

Do you find yourself agonizing over the past or worrying about what could happen in the future?  Do you wish you could be more present for your children instead of always thinking about “what if”?  You are not alone.  Listen as Todd and Cathy discuss what it means to be here now and how to practice mindfulness in our everyday parenting experiences. Parenting Resource of the week – Kandle Kidswear...

In this episode Cathy and Todd ask each other deep questions and surprise each other with their answers….it’s a great way to keep a partnership interesting!  You can also use questions (from the book “If”) with your children…..stay connected and build relationships through question asking. Click here to learn more about Cathy’s Book Release Open House! http://www.cathycassaniadams.com/book-signing...

Are you a knit picker? Do you point out flaws in the hope that it will lead to change?  If you really want to see a change, start pointing out the strengths…..as they say, what you focus on grows!   Listen as Todd and Cathy discuss how to improve relationships by being a cheerleader rather than a nitpicker. Parenting Resource of the week – Parent2ParentU Facebook Page and website – https://w...

What are your children really trying to say?   Do your children use swear words or use strong language like “hate” or “kill”?  Todd and Cathy discuss what your children are really trying to convey…..can we help them find different ways to express how they feel or appropriately ask for what they need? Parenting resource of the week – Pagatim.fm !  Check out all the great podcasts on Pagatim (w...

Today Todd and Cathy talk about the  “weird one”, the “emotional one” or the “truth teller” in the family – as parents can we be more accepting of our children’s differences, traits, and difficulties?  Is something really wrong with them or do we need to find new ways to understand, appreciate and connect? Parenting resource of the week:  Cultivating...

Video Games- The supreme court just said that any kid any age can purchase any game they want.  What’s your take? Is there a difference b/w Space Invaders and Grand Theft Auto? How to use video games to your parental advantage Like what you heard?  Have Cathy present to your group- more info can be found @  http://www.cathycassaniadams.com/speaking-presentations Parent Resource of the week-...

Why are so many children diagnosed with disorders and given powerful medications that may not even be necessary?  Listen as Todd and Cathy discuss the epidemic of over diagnoses and how parents can be more aware of what is indeed “normal”.  They reference this recent article in Newsweek –  http://www.newsweek.com/2011/06/19/mommy-am-i-really-bipolar.html And their “parent resource of the wee...