Talking to our kids about sex and sexuality can be difficult or uncomfortable, and it doesn't end with "The Talk". You aren't broken if you don't know how to talk to your kid about puberty, bodies and sex. Feeling awkward and unsure just means you haven't been shown how to talk or given the right information to talk about. When that conversation moves into consent, sexuality, or gender identity [...]
There is so much pressure for families to achieve, to be the best in whatever we do. Kids face this in school, sports, and activities. Parents feel pressured to be perfect parents. But what if there isn’t one right way to raise kids? What if we opt out of the pressure to do it all perfectly? Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler has a conversation with Kristen Howerton about her concept of [...]
Managing food allergies is exhausting and emotionally draining. While parents of are the keepers of the box when it comes to their children's food, when that food can be life threatening it's terrifying. We often handle that fear through vigilance. However, the older kids get the more often they'll be away from us and the more food choices they'll make on their own. They need, and want, to take [...]
Teenagers are labelled as difficult, rebellious, and out of control when often what they want is simply to make a difference in the world. Nonviolent activism is a tool they can use to harness power, effect change, and fight injustice. Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler interviews Todd Hasak-Lowy about his book We Are Power. They will discuss nonviolent activism for youth to understand [...]
We hear a lot about our children needing to be more resilient, better able to handle challenges and disappointments. One way a parent can help is to build self-confidence in your teenager. Self-confidence can help them take reasonable risks and reach for goals. It can change the way they see themselves and interact with the world. Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler interviews Dr. Melanie [...]
When asked what we want for our children, most parents say we want them to be happy. However, we also want them to be good, kind, responsible people. That's the premise behind Kara Kinney Cartwright's new book Just Don't Be An Assh*le: A Surprisingly Necessary Guide to Being a Good Guy. It's a straight-to-the-point conversation with our teenage sons about the unspoken rules of life. Kara brings [...]
Children’s emotional and physical health are one and the same. The health of the body impacts our emotions and thoughts. Conversely, our thoughts and feelings impact the body. As our teenagers grow up they experience intense emotions and may even have thoughts of suicide. Actually, 17% of high school students have thought about suicide. Fortunately, parents are in a position to help. Dr. Lia [...]
Parents are suddenly thrust into the position of teacher. Not only that, but they have to do it while adhering to someone else's schedule and plan. Coping with learning at home is pushing many parents over the edge and causing their stress levels to soar. There are a lot of tips out there for managing logistics but there is more to it than that. Sandy Fowler shares insights and a mindset that [...]
Parenting teenagers is challenging. Pushback, arguments, silence and distancing are some of the hallmarks of this stage. One of the more challenging situations for parents comes from your teen pushing your buttons. It's like we're wearing a shirt with big pictures of buttons saying, "Push here!" They are masters at knowing what to say or do that sends our emotions into overdrive. Hunter [...]
Ever feel like all you're doing is fighting with your teenager? Whether it's an eye roll, the exasperated tone, push back, or an actual argument, it's exhausting. Parents get frustrated and end up feeling guilty. But Laurie Warren has a different view of the situation which she's sharing with Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler. They discuss the truth about fighting and how parents can [...]