Thriving Kids

Parenting can feel overwhelming when kids struggle with anxiety, behavior, school, or big emotions. Thriving Kids is a podcast for parents and caregivers who want clear, honest answers about child and adolescent mental health.

Hosted by Dr. Dave Anderson, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, each episode focuses on a common parenting challenge — from tantrums to school struggles — with practical strategies grounded in science.

You’ll hear direct, expert guidance from clinicians who work with kids and families every day.

New episodes every week, with companion newsletters for easy reference.

Latest Episodes:

Q&A: How to Maintain a Positive Relationship with Your Child Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

In this Q&A follow-up to our conversation with Dr. Rubén Parra-Cardona, Dr. Dave answers eight listener questions about building and maintaining warm, positive relationships with your children, from toddlerhood through the teen years.

He covers questions, including:

- How do I stay present during child-led play when I'm bored out of my mind?

- Can I build a positive bond with a child whose personality clashes with mine?

- How do I stop my "inner drill sergeant" from taking over?

- How do I keep the relationship going when my teen won't talk to me?

0Key takeaways

• Being together is the most important thing. You don't have to be endlessly delighted during child-led play — just showing up can fill their emotional cup.

• It's okay to talk about your differences. When personalities clash, explicitly telling your child "I'm devoted to building our unique relationship" goes further than you might think.

• You can be warm without losing structure. Ditching your “inner drill sergeant” doesn't mean abandoning your values — it's a "yes, and" approach: maintain expectations while opening space for connection.

• Instead of questions, try descriptions. With a silent teen, use behavior descriptions, reflections, and praise instead of peppering them with questions — it resets their expectations and opens the door for genuine conversation.

• Positive Parenting Thriving Kids Curriculum

• Family Resource Center

How to Build a Positive Parent-Child Relationship Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with[MH1] Dr. Rubén Parra-Cardona, a family therapist and the Roger and Carol Nooe Endowed Chair and Professor[MH2] in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee. They discuss the ethical foundations of parenting and share key principles to guide parents in nurturing resilient children.

They also cover:

• How reflecting on your own history and motivations as a caregiver can lead to more intentional and effective parenting.

• Ethical mandates — your responsibilities for raising another human being — and how they can guide you in making decisions that prioritize the well-being and development of your child.

• Applying the principle of “asymmetry” to parent-child relationships andhow it creates a secure environment for children to thrive.

Further reading:
How to Build a Positive Parent-Child Relationship – Child Mind Institute

Tips for Communicating With Your Teen – Child Mind Institute

Tips on Helping Your Child Build Relationships – Zero to Three

Q&A: Your Questions About Healthy Technology Use, Answered Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson follows up on last week’s conversation with Dr. Linda Charmaraman about how kids feel about social media.

In this episode, we cover:

Smartphone readiness is about preparation, not just age. Delaying access can help, but parents also need to take a realistic, flexible approach. Help build digital literacy and encourage kids to come to you for help when something goes wrong.
Educational screen time can be useful, but entertainment is ok, too. Evidence-based apps can support learning, especially for younger children, but the goal is thoughtful boundaries, not treating all non-educational screen time as automatically bad.
Privacy and independence should be earned gradually. Parents should stay curious about their child’s digital world. Use clear guideposts and increase freedom as kids demonstrate responsibility over time — much like learning to drive.

Key takeaways:

Children should know they can come to you when something goes wrong online. Let them know that honesty about a situation will lead to a much better outcome than hiding it.
Setting strong boundaries around screen time to protect time for sleeping, playing, and interacting with family especially are among the most important digital rules you can set.
Digital freedom should be earned gradually through coaching, building trust, and meeting milestones.

How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health (and What to Do) Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Parents and caregivers may have a lot of worries about their teens using social media, from encountering harmful content to cyberbullying. But what do teens themselves say about how social media affects them day to day?

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Linda Charmaraman a senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women and founder and director of the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab. Dr. Charmaraman's research follows kids from middle school into high school. She shares what teens say actually helps their well-being (social support, finding community, learning, exploring identity) and what tends to hurt (peer dynamics, exclusion, comparison, and hits to self-esteem).

They also talk about what works at home:

Keep screens out of bedrooms and protect sleep
Use screen limits to support daily life, not as punishment
Stay curious so your kid keeps talking
Focus on relationship quality and communication, not perfect control

The key message for every kid: No matter what happens online — even if it’s embarrassing or scary — you can come to your parent, and they will help you through it.

Further reading

The Family Media Plan – American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
When Are Kids Ready for Social Media? – Child Mind Institute
How Phones Ruin Concentration – Child Mind Institute

Independence, Routines, and College Success Q&A Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Part 3 of 3: What actually helps students succeed in college?

In this episode of Thriving Kids, our clinicians offer practical guidance for families preparing for the transition to college. From understanding accommodations to building routines that support mental health, this conversation focuses on actionable steps.

Moderated by Dr. Morgan Eldridge with Dr. David Friedlander and Dr. Adam Zamora, this episode covers:

• Academic supports and documentation

• Counseling centers and mental health care

• Self-advocacy in college

• How parents can support teens' independence

College Readiness Toolkit

Our toolkit has guidance for teens — along with a section for parents — on how to get a good start in college and navigate this important period of building independence.

Download it here: https://childmind.org/topics/college/#toolkit

Executive Function, Procrastination, and the College Brain Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Part 2 of 3: College demands a new level of self-management

In this episode of Thriving Kids, our clinicians unpack executive functioning and procrastination — and why struggling to start a task isn’t about laziness, but about skill development and brain maturation.

In this moderated conversation led by Dr. Morgan Eldridge with Dr. David Friedlander and Dr. Adam Zamora, you’ll hear:

• What executive functioning actually involves

• Why procrastination can become a cycle

• How brain development affects follow-through

• Why building these skills matters in college

College Readiness Toolkit

Our toolkit has guidance for teens — along with a section for parents — on how to get a strong start in college and manage this transition.

Download it here: https://childmind.org/topics/college/#toolkit

Why College Can Feel Harder Than Expected Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Part 1 of 3: Why does college feel overwhelming — even for strong, capable students?

In this episode of Thriving Kids, our clinicians explore why the transition from high school to college can be harder than expected. Students move from a structured, familiar environment to one that demands independence, self-management, and new social connections.

You’ll hear a moderated conversation led by Dr. Morgan Eldridge with Dr. David Friedlander and Dr. Adam Zamora that covers:

• Why anxiety and depression often emerge freshman year

• The impact of losing structure
• The emotional adjustment of leaving home

• How belonging affects mental health

College Readiness Toolkit

Our toolkit has guidance for teens — along with a section for parents — on how to get a good start in college and navigate this critical period of building independence.

Download it here: https://childmind.org/topics/college/#toolkit

What to Say When a Child Sees or Experiences Racism Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Talking to kids about racism and discrimination can feel intimidating. But in this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Isha Metzger discuss how to start the conversation early, keep it practical, and support kids in ways that match their age and situation.

What you’ll learn:

How to convey a clear definition of racism that goes beyond “one person being mean”
How microaggressions show up in everyday life, even when someone “didn’t mean it”
Why kids might show stress from experiencing racism through behavior (withdrawal, irritability) or physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches)
How to help your child respond if they experience discrimination
How to teach ally behavior: what to say, when to get help, and why speaking up in the moment matters
What to do if your child causes harm: Reflect → Repair → Relearn

Key takeaways:

Start the conversation early and keep it going. Don’t wait for a single “big talk.”
Use direct, factual language. Kids do better with simple, clear wording.
Practice a few “in the moment” phrases your kid can actually say, like: “That’s not okay.”
If your child is targeted: validate first, then problem-solve.
If your child is the one who said something harmful: stay calm, name the impact, and coach a better next step.

From the episode: M&M exercise

Use a small bag of M&Ms to talk about difference and unfair treatment:

Observe differences (color, shape, cracked shells)
Ask: “Are any better than the others?”
Connect it to how people can get treated unfairly based on how they look
Keep it simple: same on the inside, differences add value

Tips from the Thriving Kids tip sheet:

Talk about it. Kids are likely to encounter racism and discrimination at a young age. Put aside any discomfort and talk about these topics with your kids early and often.
Be direct and factual. When you’re explaining racism for the first time, it’s important to use clear, straightforward language.
It’s ok to show emotion. When talking with your children about racism or specific events that have happened due to racism, it’s okay to express your own feelings of anger, hurt, or sadness. This helps normalize these reactions and validate what your child may already be feeling.
Take a multimedia approach. Share books, movies, TV shows, YouTube channels or anything else with age-appropriate content related to the issues you are trying to tackle. These can provide additional information, context and characters for kids to relate to.
Listen and validate. Even young children are perceptive and may be scared or confused by things they’ve seen or heard. Ask open-ended questions and give them plenty of space to answer. Little kids can also express themselves through drawings or acting things out with toys.
Teach advocacy. Just as you may have encouraged your child to stand up for friends who are treated unkindly, teach them to speak out if they witness or experience discrimination firsthand – if it is safe to do so.
Plan a course of action. There’s nothing worse than feeling helpless, so if your child comes to you with a troubling experience or concern, help them develop a response. Remind them that it’s not always on them to respond, and depending on the situation, there may be reason to make a report with the school or authorities.

Further reading

Free Guides and Resources – Dr. Isha Metzger
Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids – Child Mind Institute

Q&A: Filling Your Cup Without Guilt Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson follows up on last week’s conversation with Dr. Joanna Kim about parental self-care and the invisible labor of raising kids. He answers listener questions about guilt, exhaustion, and how to make “filling your cup” realistic in a normal week.

In this episode, we cover:

“How do I help friends who feel guilty taking time away from their kids?” Reframe from quantity to quality time. Try a one-week experiment: take a little time back, then notice what changes (energy, patience, connection).
“I’m a chronic yes-person. What do I say no to?” Sort non-negotiables, want-to-dos, and energy drains. Practice saying "no" for a short window (a few days), then decide what boundaries should stick.
“I get homework from my child’s therapist and forget. I feel like I’m failing.” You’re not failing. Your therapist wants honesty. Build a simple system for tracking and prioritizing, then accept that some tasks won’t happen every week.
“I have no time. Work, dinner, bedtime, repeat. What can I do?” Start by naming what actually calms you (food/drink, movement, sleep, connection, faith/spiritual practices, quiet). Then look for small pockets to repeat, not a perfect routine.
“Any clever tricks to get a break without my kids interrupting?” Tricks can work in the short term, but the long-term goal is modeling normal boundaries: “I’m taking 20 minutes. I’ll be back at ___.”

Key takeaways:

“Self-care” doesn’t require money or big blocks of time.
Start with minutes, then build.
Your goal isn’t more time with your kids — it’s better time with your kids.
Boundaries often matter as much as adding new habits.
If you’re working with a therapist/coach, missed homework is useful info — it helps you set a plan that fits your real week.

How Can I Take Care of Myself So I Can Be The Best Parent I Can Be? Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Self-care for parents isn’t selfish — it’s fuel.

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Joanna Kim about what real self-care looks like for busy parents — especially those who feel guilty about taking a break.

We cover:

• Why self-care can feel like a privilege or unrealistic
• How to “fill your cup” in 1 to 5 minutes (no spa day required)
• The science of parent engagement and what gets in the way
• How sleep, boundaries, and saying no protect your energy
• Why modeling rest and balance matters for your kids

From tea with a daily quote to pocket Sudoku to sleeping in without guilt — this episode is about small, doable changes that help you show up as the parent you want to be.

Follow Dr. Kim’s Engaging Families Lab:
Instagram: @engagingfamilieslab
Website: engagingfamilieslab.org

Further reading

The Impact of Parental Burnout – American Psychological Association (APA)
Mental Health Resources for Parents – Mental Health America (MHA)
Why Self-Care Is Essential to Parenting – Child Mind Institute

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