Practical Parenting

TW: discussion of suicide In this episode, we outline how to co-create a suicide prevention safety plan with your adolescent—what it is, what goes in it, and how to keep it accessible. Talking about suicide doesn’t put the idea in kids’ heads. Open conversations are where it starts.  Plan templates to use: Stanley-Brown Safety Plan SAMHSA Child Mind Institute Peer-to-Peer Support 988 (call or text) The Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth Born This Way Foundation’s Be There Certificate

Legal for adults doesn’t mean safe for teens. In this episode, we detail adolescent risks, clarify medical uses, and walk parents through how to talk with teens about smoking, vaping, and edibles. Enjoy this practical, fact-forward guidance for having ongoing, open conversations at home.

This episode shares fluid targets, when electrolytes matter (and a DIY recipe), the surprising recovery power of chocolate milk, and why sleep and nutrition are integral to a hydration strategy—quick, evidence-based tips to keep your athlete safe and performing their best.

Sports and activities offer a slew of benefits for our kids, but can often come with burnout, battles, and blown budgets. We break down how to balance structured sports with free play and how to help your child discover what truly lights them up inside. And, once we are in the sports, reframing quitting, the sports scholarship myth, building resiliency, and more. Articles mentioned: The Double Shift, by Katherine Goldstein 

Vaccine information this fall has been confusing, to say the least. But recommendations from professional medical societies are clear and have not changed. Get the information you need to make the best decision for your family here. 

Back-to-school without the chaos. We answer all your burning back-to-school questions with practical tips for resetting sleep and morning routines, handling first-day jitters, making homework more manageable, and more. Quick wins, zero guilt, totally doable, a perfect recipe for that first week back!

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. We have our first guest! Ameka, Executive Director, Early Childhood at the Y in Central Maryland is answering the question: “What is the one thing you believe parents need to know before sending their kids to school for the first time?” 

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. We have all been in this situation: We ask 14 times to put their shoes on because it’s time to go. We argue with our teen about practicing the piano they chose to play. It’s stressful for all parties involved, and the arguing gets us nowhere. How do we lay the groundwork for kids to develop good time management?

Unstructured play and boredom are not only okay, they're essential for your child’s development. In a world filled with scheduled activities and endless screens, allowing kids the time and space to engage in free play can help build creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. This episode gives practical tips on balancing structured activities with creative, independent play and how to give your child the freedom they need to thrive.

The connection between your gut microbiome and mental health is fascinating. We explain how the gut and brain are intricately connected through physical and chemical pathways, and how the food we eat can influence mood, behavior, and mental wellbeing. Tune in to learn how you can use nutrition to enhance emotional wellness and mental clarity.

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Social media dominates conversations around effective parenting, and where it typically starts is managing screen time. Parents often struggle with setting effective, realistic boundaries, and we have practical tips for parents trying to navigate tech.

From everyday worries to more serious concerns like self-harm, this episode explores practical strategies for empowering kids with emotional regulation skills, building emotional awareness, and encouraging problem-solving. Tune in for actionable tips on supporting your child through life's stressors and fostering resilience.

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Sleepovers were a common childhood event growing up, but we've learned a lot since then. Should these still be a thing? Is there a way to say yes to sleepovers and feel good about it?

From middle school friendships to high school relationships, parents can help their teens develop healthy boundaries, recognize signs of unhealthy relationships, and navigate the tricky balance between trust and independence. We talk about respect, consent, and setting boundaries to ensure your teen is a part of safe and respectful relationships. Resources mentioned:  gbmc.org/safe Call 1-866-331-9474 Text "love is" to 22522 loveisrespect.org

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Disciplining is often way more than teaching kids how to behave in the world. For parents, it brings up a lot from our childhoods. When two parents with different lived experiences try to blend their styles and beliefs, it can be a challenge. How do we navigate when our partner disagrees with our discipline approach?

Discipline is a loaded word and shows up in numerous ways during our parenting journeys. How parents show up when teaching children how to be in the world is laced with our own journeys and upbringings. How do we know the most effective and loving way to support our children while also preparing them to be confident, capable adults? 

On Feb. 26, 2025, a school-aged child died from the measles outbreak in West Texas. The child was unvaccinated and otherwise healthy. This was a preventable death. Vaccines. Save. Lives. They are imperative in keeping our children safe and healthy. We are revisiting this previously-recorded episode so parents can get all the facts from an expert. 

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Sibling dynamics are a learning curve for everyone, but adding in a child who needs extra attention can create an additional layer of challenge and potential resentment. How can parents help navigate sibling dynamics when one has higher level needs?

Sibling dynamics come down to teaching our children how to navigate conflict or problem solve, but it can be draining, especially when everyone is around each other all the time. Here, we outline common sibling conflicts and how to navigate them. 

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Tis the season … for illness. Coughs are one of the most prominent symptoms for a variety of illnesses, and how do we know when it is just a run-of-the-mill winter cold or something more serious?