Parenting Doctors Podcast

How to improve communication between a teacher and parent when a child has a behavior problem in the classroom

How to improve communication between a teacher and parent when a child has a behavior problem in the classroom.

If your teacher is dealing with behavior problems with your child, and gives you a vague explanation, try to ask for a specific example.  If they can’t, ask him or her if they would be willing to write down the incident so you can walk your child through the incident and what could have been done to handle it differently.  Likewise, when parents describe behavior to other

parents, specific details are important.  

5 Keys To Reducing Experienced & Perceived Pressure In Sports & Academics In Our Children

I spoke to over 90 mental health experts in the Midwest during three days last week.  Many reports that parents put significant pressure on their kids when it comes to academics.  College scholarships depend on academic excellence.  Jobs depend on academic success.

Likewise, parents put significant pressure on their kids when it comes to academics.  College scholarships depend on academic excellence.  Jobs depend on academic success.  Many parents put significant pressure on their kids when it comes to sports.  When I talk to parents, some kids report experiencing pressure even when pressure is not imposed by the parents. The bottom line is that kids are experiencing pressure.  What are the 4 ways parents can reduce pressure or help youth experience less pressure?

Parenting Teenagers with FOMO: Fear of Missing Out

This week's Parenting Podcast is titled "Parenting Teenagers With FOMO -- Fear of Missing Out." There are a range of stressors that tweens and teenagers are dealing with nowadays. FOMO is one of those stressors, particularly as it relates to teenagers and their cell phones. I identify five solutions to approaching FOMO with your teens.

Coping With Grief

Family dinners remains one of the best predictors of healthy families.  Discussing grief at dinner time includes accepting feelings and self care.  Other practical things to do in honoring the legacy of the loved one include:

 1.  Slideshow

 2.  Small remembrances

 3.  Humor

 4.  Identifying positive attributes

 5.  Gratitude

Five Action Steps To Help You Teach Your Child To Never Quit

Today's podcast is Five Action Steps to Help You Teach Your Child To Never Quit!  

In My practice, I am seeing quitting happening quite frequently on the sports field or court.  It is not uncommon for kids to quit family games, from monopoly to the wiffle ball game, or the chess game with Grandpa.  

Parents have to put forth some effort to reverse this trend. Here are some action steps parents can take to address this problem in their own homes.  

What Is The Antidote To Your Teenager Making The Comment "I'm Not Proud Of You?"

A man was going through a difficult time and his daughter remarked to the gentleman that she "wasn't proud of him."  What does a father say to this experience?  Is the only and "normal" respond sadness and despair?  Or, is there another approach he can take to the relationship?

And, what does a parent - child relationship need to buffer against the ups and downs of life, the highlights and lowlights of life?  Unconditional Love is the answer.  And, it starts with the parents.  

Top 10 Considerations When Addressing A Child's Tantrum During Family Pictures

This 7-minute podcast focuses on the Top 10 considerations when addressing a child’s tantrum during family pictures 

(1)   When parents take the short cut and reinforce the child’s refusal beahviors and tantrums with sour patch candy, a snickers bar, a twix, or some kind of gummy, this has the following consequences: 

a.     Reinforces tantrums and other misbehavior.

b.     Teaches a child that candy is the only solution to stress management.

c.      Delays a child’s learning about how to delay gratification.

d.     Delays a child’s learning of key tenets of Emotional intelligence such as self control. 

e.     Sets a precedent that a family is unwilling to communicate with creativity.  This can cause problems for siblings who ideally want to learn creative ways to solve problems. 

 

 

 

Screen Free Zones In The Home

What makes a successful family?  (1) An occasional family meeting with open dialogue about how the family is doing.  (2) Regular family dinners.  (3) SCREEN FREE ZONES

 - Each house needs screen-free zones.  This starts with the bedrooms.  Behavioral sleep experts recommend that adults get the TVs out of the bedroom.  Kids need their TV's out of their bedroom.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screen-free zones.  

Some Parents Are Elevating Their Child’s Anxiety. Solutions: Knowledge is Power But Strategies Are Needed

I traveled around the state of Wisconsin this week.  I met some wonderful professionals – teachers, principals, school counselors and psychologists, mental health counselors, psychologists in private practice, social workers, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists.    So many people are working hard to make a difference and collaborate with teachers and parents to help kids achieve an excellent education, mental and emotional health, and quality relationships.

A key focus was trying to help parents regulate their anxiety and stay calm.  This week's podcast gives an example of how we can heighten our child's anxiety with our own anxiety.  

Beyond knowledge, strategies are needed.  

Back To The Future Tribute & Other Parenting Nuggets

Today's parenting podcast is a tribute to a movie favorite -- Back To The Future.  

Parenting nuggets are discussed -- consistency, warmth, engagement...