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How do parents find the right balance between giving kids freedom and making sure they’re safe? In this episode, parent educator, Lynne Ticknor, discusses the value of giving kids independence and why it’s easier said than done. In Off the Record, our kids panel talks about the pride of earning their parents’ trust, and one dad Takes one for the Team by sharing the exact moment he realized he was being too protective. Plus, our Safe Kids Tip of the Week gives your kids freedom and also keeps them safe.   Lynne Ticknor is the Education Director at the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) in Kensington, MD. She is a certified parent educator and has been teaching parenting classes since 2006. Lynne has also written for national parenting publications, including Scholastic Parent & Child, Parenting, Parents, Family Fun, and ADDitude, in addition to dozens of regional magazines.  

If done right, there are so many benefits to playing youth sports. In this episode, former Georgetown basketball coach, Craig Esherick, shares the keys to being a successful youth sports parent. In Off the Record, our teen panel of athletes answers a question about what to do if your child wants skip practice. And one dad Takes one for the Team by sharing his personal story about “sideline rage.” Plus, our Safe Kids Tip of the Week keeps young athletes safe and performing at their best. Craig Esherick Craig Esherick is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Center for Sport Management at George Mason University. Professor Esherick was a basketball coach for 25 years after graduating from Georgetown University with a J.D. and undergraduate finance degree. He is the author of three textbooks, numerous chapters, and articles on topics in the sports industry. He is currently working on his fourth book, The Art and Science of Coaching.

“Education is perhaps the greatest superpower of them all.” That’s what Jacki Bragg said during her Teacher of the Year speech at graduation. In this episode, Mrs. Bragg explains what she sees as the true value of school, how involved parents should be, and just how important are grades. In Off the Record, our teen panel answers a question about what to do when your kid won’t tell you what’s going on in school, and one mom Takes One for the Team by sharing a story about why she was convinced her kid would grow up to be, as she says, “A screw up.” Plus, our Safe Kids Tip of the Week helps parents get their kids to school safely.     Jacki Bragg Jacki Bragg has been one of the most respected teachers in Maryland for more than 21 years. She has been voted Teacher of the Year by the students and Outstanding Teachers by her colleagues.  

If your child is experiencing anxiety, please know you’re not alone. It’s a growing issue that is affecting more and more families. In this episode, anxiety disorder expert, Dr. Jonathan Dalton, shares why anxiety in our kids isn’t necessarily a bad thing, how to know if it is at a point that requires additional support, and a few tips, for kids and for parents, on how to handle your child’s anxiety, that can make things easier starting today. In Off the Record, our panel of teens, who all experience anxiety, answer a question about what parents can say, or not say to help, and one mom Takes One for the Team by sharing a story about a time when she thought she was helping her son deal with his anxiety, but it didn’t quite turn out that way. Plus, our Safe Kids Tip of the Week is about the single most important thing a family can do to stay safe in a car.    Dr. Jonathan Dalton Dr. Jonathan Dalton is the founder and director of the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change. Dr. Dalton specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and teens, with a focus on anxiety-based school refusal. He believes strongly in the importance of public outreach and frequently presents to student bodies, educators, mental health professionals, and community groups on the treatment of anxiety and related disorders.

We all want our kids to be happy. In this episode, Dr. Beth Cabrera shares how focusing on well-being is an important step and offers some simple strategies to get you started. In Off the Record, our teen panel answers a question about how to get your kids to “open up.” And Gary Takes One for the Team by sharing the answer he received to the question: “Is parenting supposed to be this hard?” Plus, our Safe Kids Tip of the Week is about a toll-free number every parent will want to save today.  Dr. Beth Cabrera Dr. Cabrera is the author of Beyond Happy: Women, Work, and Well-Being. In 2009, Dr. Cabrera founded Cabrera Insights, and she joined the George Mason University Center for the Advancement of Well-Being as a Senior Scholar in 2013. Beth lives in the Washington D.C. area with her husband. Their two children are in college.