In this episode, we speak with Duygu Balan about intergenerational trauma, and ways to break the cycle. Duygu discusses how the therapeutic relationship can support one in rewriting one’s narrative in a healthy manner. We also speak about how to develop a healthier relationship with oneself, and the importance of self-curiosity. We finish our conversation with a discussion of how parenting has impacted our professional lives and vice versa. For more information on Duygu, please visit her website...
Nov 01, 2023•18 min
In this episode, we discuss with Dr Heather Woodley, the roles of play and toys in teaching children about diversity, equity and inclusion. Heather outlines how toys and children’s programming can act as both windows and mirrors for children - windows into others’ experiences and reflections of their own. We discuss the importance of providing children with materials that are both windows and mirrors, and how to do this. Dr. Heather Homonoff Woodley, PhD is a Clinical Associate Professor of TESO...
Oct 25, 2023•23 min
In this episode, we discuss a situation in which kindergarten children were denied recess time as a consequence of a few children. We talk about what taking away recess time can mean for young children, as well as the implications of relying on children’s reports of incidents that occur at school. We also discuss the potential implications of imposing a “punishment” on an entire class based on the behavior of a few students.
Oct 18, 2023•24 min
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Damour about the emotional lives of teenagers. We pay especial attention to the pressures that both genders feel yet how those may be manifested differently across genders, at times. Dr. Damour unpacks parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and the role of identification in that relationship as girls mature. We also discuss how research methods may not always allow for the identification of areas of concern for boys. Dr. Lisa D...
Oct 11, 2023•30 min
We are thrilled to be re-airing our episode with Emily Oster on making parenting decisions through data. Emily is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Emily’s books analyze the data behind choices on parenting and pregnancy. She is also founder and CEO of Parent Data, which prov...
Oct 04, 2023•28 min
In this episode, we speak with Mariel Benjamin, LCSW, about how parenting is currently based in a feeling of fear - fear of messing up one’s children, fear of being judged by others, and fear of failing in helping children reach their full potential. As we speak about, this fear can be detrimental for many reasons. When in a state of fear, we make decisions based on limited information and lots of emotion. This fear-based parenting can have a number of negative consequences for ourselves and our...
Sep 27, 2023•29 min
In this compelling episode, we sit down with the co-authors and partners, Alex Ritter and Alex Kenworthy, to delve into their groundbreaking book, "Your Baby Girl Likes Girls." This invaluable resource offers crucial insights and advice for parents and their queer daughters navigating the often challenging journey of coming out. We emphasize the vital need for an open, accepting environment for children to express their thoughts and feelings, whether they embrace their true selves at a young age...
Sep 20, 2023•35 min
In this episode, Dr. Marc Brackett, author of Permission to Feel, discusses the importance of emotional self-awareness, and explains that emotional self-awareness is the ability to identify and label our emotions. This skill is essential for understanding our own emotional states and making informed decisions. He explains that it can lead to improved mental health, stronger relationships, and better decision-making. Emotionally self-aware individuals are better able to manage their emotions, res...
Sep 13, 2023•40 min
In this episode, we conclude our series on school readiness with a conversation with Claire Marie about school lockdown drills. Claire is a school safety and emergency management expert who works with schools to develop and implement safety plans. She emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed practices when teaching students about safety procedures, such as lockdown drills. Claire talks about the importance of providing students with opportunities to practice the procedure in a safe and contr...
Sep 06, 2023•25 min
As a new academic year commences, we have decided to rebroadcast a well-received episode centered on pediatric anxiety. Within this episode, our guest is Dr. Rebecca Etkin from the Anxiety & Mood Disorders Program at the Yale Child Study Center. Her expertise lies in both researching and treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Throughout this installment, we delve into topics such as the signs that should raise parental concern regarding their child's anxiety, the rationale behin...
Aug 30, 2023•29 min
We are thrilled to be re-releasing our episode with Dr. Clancy Blair as part of our four week back to school series before our reflection on the past 100 plus episodes in two weeks. Dr. Blair is a developmental psychologist and Professor at New York University, who studies self-regulation in young children. His primary interest concerns the development of cognitive abilities, referred to as executive functions, and the ways in which these aspects of cognition are important for school readiness a...
Aug 23, 2023•16 min
In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Ashleigh Collins, Dean of Academic Programs at Relay Graduate School Education. Dr. Collins discusses how to form a positive relationship with your child's teacher where you act as partners in scaffolding your child. Research shows that a strong predictor of children's academic and social well-being, especially in earlier childhood, is related to the parent-teacher connection. Dr. Collins speaks to the special importance of keeping lines of co...
Aug 16, 2023•27 min
In this last episode of our back to school series, we speak about starting a new school from the perspectives of parent and child. We draw on our own personal experiences, as well as research in this conversation. We pay special attention to the role of social capital in the transition to a new school year. We also speak on best practices for speaking with our children about how their day went and what they have learned beyond just asking “How was school today?”.
Aug 09, 2023•29 min
Welcome to the 100th episode of Parenting Understood! We are beyond excited and incredibly grateful for our amazing community of listeners who have supported us throughout this journey. For this special milestone, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Robyn Koslwitz, educational director of the Targeted Parenting Institute, about parenting post-trauma. This episode holds dear as we have recently experienced parenting post-trauma, and we are dedicated to supporting others in similar situation...
Aug 02, 2023•43 min
In this episode, we are thrilled to speak with Michael Perry, entrepreneur, devoted father of two young boys, and creator of a family organizational app called Maple. Michael speaks to us about his journey of building Maple, an app designed to help parents manage their busy lives more effectively. Michael opens up about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood and how fatherhood completely transformed his sense of purpose. We discuss the overwhelming nature of parenting, which...
Jul 26, 2023•43 min
In this week’s episode we speak with Dr. Bamgbose, a reproductive psychiatrist, about the impacts of hormones on women's mental health across the lifespan. Dr Bamgbose highlights the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and postpartum depression, and seeking professional help if they occur. She also discusses the benefits of medication and therapy for managing mood disorders, as well as the importance of lifestyle changes, such as exerc...
Jul 19, 2023•37 min
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Dana Winters of the Fred Rogers Institute about supporting children in the development of empathy. More specifically, she speaks about the "simple interaction" approach. This approach focuses on four key dimensions of interaction: connection, reciprocity, inclusion, and purpose. It can be used in any setting, from the home to the classroom. By focusing on these four key dimensions, adults can help children develop empathy and build positive relationships. Dr Wi...
Jul 12, 2023•36 min
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Ali Star Locke and John Patrick Nelson of the podcast Sensory Overload. Ali and John share their story regarding how they began their podcast, after having a child on the spectrum. We hope that you join us to learn more about Sensory Overload and some of the helpful resources for being a parent to a child on the spectrum. To visit our new website, please visit Parentingunderstood.com If you would like to learn more about the Time Timer, please visit Time Tim...
Jul 05, 2023•36 min
Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Yishan Xu as she discusses the various ways sleep changes throughout life and how to tackle sleep issues in adults with a focus on parents. Dr. Xu speaks to the potential pitfalls of relying on sleep medication, and the power of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) as a first-line treatment. We also speak with Dr. Xu about gender differences in sleep, from hormonal shifts in women to sleep disorders in men. Further, we take a look at some co...
Jun 28, 2023•45 min
In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Jeanne Donaldson to speak with her on the topic of behavior basics and creating a foundation of a warm, loving, safe, nurturing environment in our homes. We take on a variety of topics including establishing the foundations of sleep, nutrition, movement, safety, parental attention, and building and supporting independence through choice making. With all of the information out online and on social media, we wanted to take a moment to do an epis...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of "Parenting Understood," we welcome Sara Petersen, who has been challenging the perception of motherhood influenced by media and social media. Sara shares her journey as a writer, inspired by her experiences as a mother and her evolving understanding of feminism. She explains how motherhood ignited her feminism and made her question the idealized version of motherhood portrayed in the media. The conversation delves into the complexities of maternal identity and the weight it ca...
Jun 14, 2023•29 min
In this episode, we speak with Renee Reina, psychologist and host of the renowned podcast, The Mom Room. Renne delves into the fascinating world of parenting fears, drawing from her extensive social media and podcast presence. She provides insights, empathy, and practical advice around parenting, and discusses the importance of authenticity on social media. Renne emphasizes the importance of finding one’s true voice amidst digital noise and cultivating a genuine online presence. We end by highli...
Jun 07, 2023•43 min
In this episode, we are joined by Drs Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama to discuss early math learning. Douglas H. Clements is Distinguished University Professor, Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning, and Executive Director of the Marsico Institute for Early Learning at the University of Denver. Previously a kindergarten teacher for five years and a preschool teacher for one, he has conducted research and published widely in the areas of the learning and teaching of early mathematic...
May 31, 2023•30 min
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Holly Gover, a board-certified behavior analyst with extensive experience working with children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Gover, currently a faculty member in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins us to tackle a common concern for parents: picky eaters. Dr. Gover shares valuable insights on how to encourage children to try new foods in a relaxed and enjoyable manner, empowering them to feel in control of their eating choices. W...
May 24, 2023•48 min
In this week's episode, we interview psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Siegel about his research on the impacts of psychedelics, such as ketamine, on depression. We delve into the growing interest in mental health and wellness and explore emerging treatment methods. Dr. Siegel shares how his research has influenced his parenting and sheds light on his perspective on his children's emotions. Tune in to gain insights into the fascinating connection between psychedelics, mental health, and parenting. To lear...
May 17, 2023•30 min
In this episode, we speak with Melissa Finkelstein, a lawyer, author, and mother of three. Melissa discusses her latest book, Bobby the Snake and the Broken TV, which is part of her book series, Big Feelings Friends. She shares how her own children inspired her to write these books and the importance of children's books as both a mirror and a window for our children's stories. By sharing her personal experiences, Melissa hopes to show how her books can provide a relatable and empathetic perspect...
May 10, 2023•27 min
In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Jessica (“Jessi”) Gold. Dr Gold, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, specializing in college mental health, medical education, and physician wellness. In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Gold her work supporting the mental health needs of those on the college campus, as well as her efforts to de-stigmatize mental health and psychiatry. She further discusses how COVID e...
May 03, 2023•34 min
We are thrilled to be joined in this episode by Dr. Denise Ross, faculty member at the University of Wisconsin and Chair of the UW System Institute for Urban Education. Dr. Ross is an advocate for literacy as a form of social justice. She describes how she applies verbal behavior (a language and literacy approach using principles of behavior) to reading and literacy, and discusses the systems and inequities that impact access to evidence-based practices. She further speaks to how the narrative o...
Apr 26, 2023•34 min
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Whitney Casares to discuss developmental milestones and their impact on children's development. We explore how parents can be overwhelmed by the stress of trying to keep up with perceived expectations for their child's development. Dr. Casares emphasizes the importance of understanding each child as a unique individual, with their own strengths and challenges, and avoiding the temptation to compare them to others or follow a one-size-fits-all approach. We al...
Apr 19, 2023•30 min
In this episode, Dr. Kelly Fradin, author of the upcoming book "Advanced Parenting: Advice for helping kids through diagnoses, differences, and mental health challenges," shares her personal story of being sick with cancer as a child and how it inspired her to create a guide for parents raising children with advanced health conditions. Dr. Fradin discusses the challenges that parents face in balancing their own personal lives, partnerships, and the care of their other children while also caring ...
Apr 12, 2023•23 min
