Raising OKC Kids – Conversations with MetroFamily

We get an update on the foster care system in Oklahoma from Dr. Deb Shropshire, director of Child Welfare Services for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and Destyni Trayler, senior program director for Sunbeam Family Services. Currently there are around 6,600 children in DHS custody in Oklahoma, which is at least a 20 year low. Dr. Deb and Destyni discuss the improvements that have led to...

Dr. Ariana Hoet works in pediatric primary care and is the clinical director for On Our Sleeves, a national movement to break stigmas around children’s mental health with a mission to provide free mental health educational resources to every community in America. Dr. Hoet equips us as parents with tools to maintain conversations with our kids about their mental health. She shares advice to talk ab...

The weather is cooling down and the outdoors are calling. Listen in as we chat with Skylar St. Yves, Aquatic Education/R3 Fishing Coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, about how we can enjoy outdoor activities as a family, including fishing, hiking, camping and more. We all naturally have a calling to the great outdoors, not to mention the benefits like reducing anxiety...

Internationally acclaimed reading specialist, educational therapist and author Dr. Vicki Waller joins us to talk about identifying learning differences and motivating all kids to love learning. Dr. Waller outlines key points in helping to reengage kids in their learning, including shifting your mindset as a parent first, and also how to find an advocate to lean on. She keys us in on the step-by-st...

Outdoor play is important for us all, but it is especially important for our kids! This week, Paloma Cisneros, Director of Children’s Programs at the Latino Community Development Agency joins us to talk about the Tony Reyes Bilingual Child Development Center's two Nature Explore® Outdoor Classrooms. We learn why these outdoor classrooms are important for the communities they serve, and how we as p...

Educator and author Henry Rice joins us to discuss how teaching our children the principles of love and kindness can counteract violence. Currently the music teacher at Putnam Heights Academy, Henry has worked in education for 30 years and recently put his 12 strategies of teaching nonviolence in book form for use by families, schools and youth organizations: Hey TEENS Workbook: Teaching Everyone...

This National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Commissioner Carrie Slatton-Hodges of the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse joins us to provide parents with tips on talking with kids about suicide and depression, signs and symptoms to be aware of and steps to take if we suspect a child we love is contemplating suicide. She shares details on the new 988 statewide ment...

Certified meditation coach, author and podcast host Josephine Atluri joins us to talk about the benefits of mindfulness as many families are feeling the chaos of the back to school season. Josephine shares easy, practical ways to build mindfulness into our everyday lives, practice conscious connection with our kids and cultivate more peace in our homes. Josephine hosts the podcast,“Responding to L...

Certified meditation coach, author and podcast host Josephine Atluri joins us to talk about the benefits of mindfulness as many families are feeling the chaos of the back to school season. Josephine shares easy, practical ways to build mindfulness into our everyday lives, practice conscious connection with our kids and cultivate more peace in our homes. Josephine hosts the podcast,“Responding to L...

Dr. Noor Jihan Abdul-Haqq joins us for National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Dr. Noor is a board-certified pediatrician with her own practice, Peace of Mind Pediatrics, in Del City and NW OKC. She shares what she’s experienced personally as a mom of three, but also what common issues, questions and expectations she sees with her patient. Dr. Noor believes “Fed is best,” and that the mental and p...

Internationally renowned educator, award-winning author and parenting child expert Dr. Michele Borba shares the biggest mental health concerns for kids around the country as reported by educators and students -- and how parents can respond. She provides tips to ease the transition back to school for kids and parents alike, plus she shares how parents can focus more on teaching and building key cha...

What do family dinners, cowbells and climbing a tree have in common? Nicole Kanelakos, Center of Excellence director of education services, and Amy Chlouber LPC-S, Center of Excellence director for mental health services, both from Sunbeam Family Services, join us to talk about the importance of family togetherness, free play and engaging with our kids at every level. Parenting is challenging, so...

After writing a year-long series in MetroFamily Magazine about Talking to Kids About Sex with advice for every age and stage, the experts at Thrive are answering parent questions on how to talk to kids about sexual health, sex education in schools, pornography, body posivity, gender inclusivity and more. Plus, if you parent a tween or teen who's especially uncomfortable talking with you about sexu...

Ronald McDonald House Charities® strives to provide programs that strengthen families during difficult times with chapters around the world. Here in Oklahoma City, our local chapter provides a home-away-from-home for families whose seriously ill or injured children are receiving medical treatment in the metro, both in the form of overnight accommodations and necessities for local families through...

Leslie Blair, public information officer with the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, joins us to talk about summer travel and the new parking pass program at several Oklahoma state parks. Find out all you need to know for your next visit plus some great day trips ideas with destinations from around the Sooner state.

Robyn Sunday-Allen, CEO of the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, community leader and mom, joins us to share a message of encouragement and empowerment for moms, who she says all deserve the title of mother of the year. Plus, Robyn shares her pride in how her team at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic has navigated the pandemic to care for both their patients and the community at large and her long-term v...

Season 3, episode 21 Dr. Deb Shropsire, director of Child Welfare Services of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and Sharon Guilbeaux, local therapeutic foster mom, join us to discuss Oklahoma's current need for therapeutic foster families. They share both the challenges and blessings of playing a part in helping children and families heal, plus how everyone in the community can get involv...

Season 3, episode 24 Metro moms and community leaders Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, and Kylee Holland, program director at SISU Youth Services, join us to talk about resources in the metro for LGBTQ youth and their families and friends and how to normalize same-sex couples and transgender individuals with children.

Local mom and public health professional Cara Gluck joins us to recognize June as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month. This virus affects 1 in 200 babies born in the United States and can have long-term, significant developmental impacts on a baby if a mom contracts the virus while pregnant. Cara joins us to share her family's journey with CMV, simple steps pregnant moms can take to reduce their...

What do family dinners, cowbells and climbing a tree have in common? Nicole Kanelakos, Center of Excellence director of education services, and Amy Chlouber LPC-S, Center of Excellence director for mental health services, both from Sunbeam Family Services, join us to talk about the importance of family togetherness, free play and engaging with our kids at every level. Parenting is challenging, so...

Season 3, episode 18 This Teacher Appreciation Week, Miss Oklahoma & public school teacher Ashleigh Robinson joins us to talk about her platform of inclusion for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She shares how parents can model and discuss inclusion in our homes, the importance of representation in education and our communities, how the community can support our educat...

Heather Zacarias, head of school for Season 3, episode 20 Western Gateway, and Dean Ketchum, head of school for John Rex, join us to clear up misconceptions about charter schools, share the unique opportunities their schools offer to both students and staff and remind us all of all the good happening in our public schools in Oklahoma City. Learn more about whether a charter school could be a good...

Season 3, episode 17 Spark Creative Lab is a cutting-edge, multidisciplinary concept featuring a diverse ensemble of acclaimed artists. The mission of the nonprofit organization is to rethink public engagement with the arts, expand the creative capacity of Oklahoma City, explore cultural creative expression and value artists and cultural workers. The organization launched in 2021 as a pilot in Okl...

Season 3, episode 19 If you're feeling especially stressed or overwhelmed as a parent, you're not alone. Katrina Leggins, LCSW, attributes the ongoing uncertainties in our world today to higher parent stress, and she joins us to advise parents on how to identify stress and anxiety, improve our self-talk, give ourselves time to rest and prioritize self-care.

Seaon 3, episode 25 Did you know postpartum anxiety is actually more common than depression, and that the two are often experienced in tandem? Postpartum therapist and local mom Thai-An Truong, LPC, shares common signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety and less-understood ways they can manifest for moms. Truong talks about coping strategies that were helpful for her in her own jour...