parenting

Episode #188: Helpful Equations To Connect with and Support Kids: An interview with Sonali Vongchusiri

All of us have the same values, these are to be seen, heard, understood and to be appreciated and know we belong. What are your needs? How much time do you give to look after you? Do you find you give so much to your kids, that you find yourself overwhelmed when you try to connect?

In this episode Janine and Sonali speak about:

Supporting teen emotional regulation while staying connected: An interview with Ronnie Vehemente

Over the past decade, families have been feeling the pressure more than ever. From social media and constant screen time to the shared stress of the global pandemic and rising expectations for both parents and kids — it’s easy to feel disconnected and overwhelmed. In this episode, we explore how families can navigate these challenges, reduce stress, and build stronger, more connected relationships at home.

In this episode Ronnie and Janine discuss:

In this episode they discuss:

Cooking as a Way to Connect: An Interview with Amy Nesbitt

Food is magic! Cooking together as a family has lots of benefits. As well as being a time to learn and teach such a key life skill. It presents an opportunity to share family recipes, whether they are cultural recipes or family recipes passed down through the generations is a beautiful moment for families to share together. 

In this episode they discuss:

Exploring and Understanding a Child’s Sensory Systems with Sarah Collins

We all know the 5 senses and learned them from the time we started school. But did you know there are actually 8? Unpacking and understanding these can help us to understand yours and your child's needs and how you move around your space well. Joining Janine is Occupational Therapist, Sarah Collins who unpacks the senses and encourages you to find the words and strategies that work for your child's sensory needs. 

Today Sarah and Janine discuss: 

Helping kids understand how their brain works: An Interview with Dr. Crystal Collier

As parents, we are concerned that our kids and teens may engage in high risk behaviors as they grow up. How can we, as parents, encourage our children away from engaging in these high risk behaviors? Or, if they are already doing any of these behaviors, how can we encourage them to stop them? 

In this episode Carrie and Janine discuss:

Connecting with Kids Through Journaling with Katie Clemons

Have you ever considered sharing a journal with your kids? Sometimes your child may come home and isn’t ready to share about your day. Journaling is an opportunity to see how your child views the world while you’re living the same moments. It can open up opportunities to be empathic to situations that you weren’t experiencing in the same way. It can create a safe space for questions to be asked, that you weren’t aware that they were worrying about. 

In this episode Katie and Janine discuss:

Helping Teens with Stress: An Interview with Dr. Chinwé Williams

Every child needs 3 to 5 people to be part of their orbit to help shape their world and will have a significant influence on them. Whatever role you have, you could be that key person in a teenager’s life to discuss the more stressful moments in their lives. There are signs and symptoms we can look out for in our teenagers. Stress is a normal reaction for anybody in different situations. But what if these reactions are taking over our young people’s lives? 

Overcoming Social Anxiety from Childhood to Adulthood: An Interview with Natasha Daniels

What is social anxiety and how big an impact does this have for a child and the difference for an adult? How can you tell the difference between social anxiety and being an introvert? These are just some of the questions Janine speaks about with Natasha Daniels as she also talks about her memoir Out of My Shell. 

They also speak about:

The Power of Independent Play: An Interview with Lenore Skenazy

How do you encourage your kids to be more independent? When do you as a parent step back to give them the space to step up? How can you encourage them in their fears? What are some of the easy parenting norms that we can try?

Lenore Skenazy joins Janine today to discuss some of these questions. They discuss: 

Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family with Emily Cherkin, The Screentime Consultant

What does it mean to be a tech intentional family? Now phones, ipads and other forms of technology are in most areas of life. There’s no size that fits all and what works for you and your family will look so different to your next door neighbor and the other parents you meet at the school gate. So where do you begin? 

© Encourage Play, LLC / Coping Skills for Kids 2021