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The Adolescent Brain Jun 24, 2014

Show notes

We discuss Dr. Daniel Siegel's new book titled "Brainstorm- The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain". Dr. Siegel explains that adolescence has an ESSENCE that is often overlooked. ESSENCE stands for: ES: An Emotional Spark is revealed in the enhanced way emotion generated from sub-cortical areas washes over the cortical circuits of reasoning. The downsides are emotional storms and moodiness; the upside is a powerful passion to live life fully, to capture life being on fire. SE: Social Engagement emerges as teens turn more toward peers than parents, the downside being falling prey to peer pressure simply to gain membership in a group, the upside being the central importance of supportive relationships in our lives. Relationships are the key factor associated with medical and mental health, longevity, and even happiness. N: Novelty-seeking emerges from shifts in the brain’s dopamine system with the downside of risk-taking behavior and injury, and the upside of having the courage to leave the familiar, certain, and safe home nest for the unfamiliar, uncertain, potentially unsafe world beyond. CE: And our Creative Exploration of adolescence is found as we push against the status quo, imagining how things could be, not simply accepting them for what they are. The downside? Not just conforming to life as usual can be disorienting and stressful. The upside? The thrill and passion of discovery—and the reality that most innovations in art, music, science and technology emerge from the adolescent mind. Dr. Siegel reminds us to be conscious of adolescent ESSENCE so we can better relate to our children and respect this important time of development. Resources: Daniel's book can be found here Click the following links to purchase Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent Part 1 & and Part 2 Click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

She was cut from her soccer team (what she did next might surprise you) Jun 20, 2014

Show notes

Casserly had always been on the top tier soccer team only to find out from her coach that she was being moved down to the next level. Her reaction to this gut punch might surprise you. Casserly is going into 6th grade and graduated from our first "Be U Girls Club" in the fall of 2013. We asked Casserly and her mom Rita to share this story in an effort to remind us that children are here to teach us as much as we are here to teach them. From a parent's perspective - how would have handled this situation? Would you have tried to fix it? Would you have reacted with anger or thought it unfair? From a preteen's perspective - do you feel you have the tools and the self understanding to react in such a compassionate and authentic way? Other Resources: For more information on Rita's Coaching business go to http://www.ritahyland.com/ Click the following links to purchase Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent Part 1 & and Part 2 Click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

Kids and Cell Phones – Striking a Balance Jun 17, 2014

Show notes

How do we introduce cell phones to our kids? It's a big step into an adult world, and concerns such as these are common: Will they abuse it?, Will they turn into "phoneheads"?, What kind of phone is appropriate?, What are the expectations around use of the phone? A few years ago Janelle Hoffman wrote a blog about phone expectations that went viral. We used her blog as "bones" for a list we created called "Jacey's Phone Smarts": We own the phone, but it’s yours to use. We will know all phone passwords. Answer calls/texts from your parents, and answer the phone politely when it rings. Phone stays plugged in downstairs at night. Listen to your instincts and call and text only at appropriate times during the day. During the day the phone is for safety – (specifically so we can communicate). Talk to people during the day, do not become a “phone head”. If it breaks or get lost, you will cover the cost. Use technology only for good. Do not use it to harm or lie. Do not involve yourself in group texts, phone calls, or games that are intended to harm or lie. Use the phone to be a good friend. Do not text anything that you would not say in person Phone is to be silenced and put away in public. Family events are for family, not phone time. You are a kind and respectful person, so don’t let the phone change that part of you. Do not take pictures of yourself or anybody else that you would not show to your parents or your grandparents. Sharing pictures of your body or anything inappropriate could harm your friendships, your life, your future. Just be your smart self. Be present for experiences and don’t think you have to take a million pictures. Leave your phone at home sometimes and know that it’s OK, you are not missing anything. Listen to lots of different music and enjoy! Be conscious of explicit lyrics – don’t fill your brain with negative or violent language, it only hurts you. Just be your smart self. Keep your eyes up and see the world and BE with people! Use the phone to connect, not disconnect. Before downloading any apps, get our OK first. We are in this together – we can always discuss all of this. You have shown tremendous responsibility and that’s why you are getting a phone. ENJOY! We also answer a listener's question regarding the lack of attention that his parents pay to their own grandchildren. We expand on what he could do to help and how to go about it. Cathy discusses her experience with reading the book "Gone Girl" and why she may not finish reading it. We'll give you a hint- it's about filling your life with negative stories and how it will affect your your perception of everything else. Other Resources: Scratch Wireless is th phone and plan they got for the their daughter. Click the following links to purchase Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent Part 1 & and Part 2 Click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

Grief and Hope: Surviving pregnancy and infant loss- Part 2 Jun 13, 2014

Show notes

In the second half of this 2 part interview, we continue the conversation between Aaron Krueger and Erin Kuhn-Krueger about their experience with multiple miscarriages and stillbirth. In this moving and inspiring interview they share their challenges, coping tools, and their strength and determination to become parents. This show is a must if you have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, or if you know someone who is trying to navigate the grief associated with baby loss. This is Part 2 of a two part interview with the Krueger family - Part 1 was aired on Friday, June 6th. Part 1 can be found here. Erin has a website and blog called "Will Carry On". She shares her experiences and insights and offers resources and tools for other families in need. Click here to hear an episode about Cathy and Todd's experience with miscarriage. Click here to watch the movie "Return to Zero" about a couple's experience with stillbirth. Other Resources: Click the following links to purchase Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent Part 1 & and Part 2 Click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

#Not All Men, #Yes All Women- Can Both Be True? Jun 10, 2014

Show notes

Of course there are plenty of men who are not misogynists, but that doesn't mean that women are not subjected to misognystic behavior. We have to take responsibility for ourselves and also recognize what we tolerate- our friends inappropriate jokes or behavior, the song lyrics we listen to, the movies we love, the people we idolize. And it's not just men, women need to recognize how they contribute - gossiping, judging, and disrespecting other women can add to the overall problem. Todd gets on his soap box. There are numerous youtube clips, blogs, books articles helping and supporting the girls, but he is seeking more support for the boys. If we are going to make change, it can't be one sided. Girl empowerment is essential, but so is supporting boys in expressing their emotion. If we focused on both simultaneously, real change could occur. They also discuss The Fault in our Stars and Malificient, two great summer movies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=642lKXC97c4 Other Resources: Click here to find Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent 1 & 2, click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk5qsmRyVcE How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Don't forget about the webinar for Assessing the Risk Factors For Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children. Register here. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

Grief and Hope: Surviving pregnancy and infant loss- Part 1 Jun 06, 2014

Show notes

We speak with Aaron Krueger and Erin Kuhn-Krueger about their experience with multiple miscarriages and stillbirth. In this moving and inspiring interview they share their challenges, coping tools, and their strength and determination to become parents. This show is a must if you have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, or if you know someone who is trying to navigate the grief associated with baby loss. This is Part 1 of a two part interview with the Krueger family - Part 2 will air Friday, June 13th. Erin has a website and blog called "Will Carry On". She shares her experiences and insights and offers resources and tools for other families in need. Click here to hear an episode about Cathy and Todd's experience with miscarriage. Click here to watch the movie "Return to Zero" about a couple's experience with stillbirth. Other Resources: Click here to find Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent 1 & 2, click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk5qsmRyVcE How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Don't forget about the webinar for Assessing the Risk Factors For Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children. Register here. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

Can you be a “friend” to your child? Jun 03, 2014

Show notes

Of course you are the parent and your role is important, but can you sometimes just drop the role and relate to your child as an individual? We break down the the role of parent to redefine what it means to support your child. When your child comes to you with a problem, do you deal with the internal or the external? Most of us deal with the external - focus on how it looks and how to fix it. But do we consider what our child is feeling and experiencing? Instead of trying to "fix" the problem immediately, can we first: Listen Validate Normalize If we initially put more attention on the internal, our children we will be better able to hear our opinion and probable solutions. Other Resources: Click here to find Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent 1 & 2, click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk5qsmRyVcE How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Don't forget about the webinar for Assessing the Risk Factors For Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children. Register here. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

Happiness is an Inside Job May 27, 2014

Show notes

Do you want to be happy? Guess what, you've got the tools to do it! Happiness can be cultivated regardless of your childhood or genes - you just need to make it a daily priority! Shawn Achor is a Harvard Professor who teaches a class on how to be happy - research shows it comes from the INSIDE and has little to do with the external experiences. It's not about waiting to be happy until you find success, it's about being happy and then achieving success due to your happiness. Happiness comes from striving for something that has value, not the attainment. Genes and environment can play a role in your everyday feelings, so you need to strengthen your happy muscles, you have the power! Here are a few specific steps you can take right now to make yourself more happy. Pick a few and practice for 21 days - see if it makes a difference: Spend two minutes each day expressing gratitude either verbally or written. Write about one meaningful thing that happened to you in the last 24 hours and provide as much detail as possible. Exercise Take two minutes a day and breath mindfully If you do this, it will not only will you feel good, you will create a ripple effect of happiness all around you! Other Resources: Click here to find Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent 1 & 2, click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

“My name is Emerson and I love everybody.” May 23, 2014

Show notes

Did you know that May is Williams Syndrome Awareness Month? Williams syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. People with Williams Syndrome also tend to have enhanced verbal abilities, highly social personalities and an affinity for music. It effects 1 in 10,000 people worldwide – an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people in the United States. We interview Amy Connell-Donohue, the mother of 11 year old Emerson who was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome when she was 1. Amy shares her road to diagnosis and the challenges of finding out that your child is not typical. She also shares lessons from Emerson and says that she's the glue that holds the family together. Amy's article about her family is in the May issue of Chicago Parent, it's titled Having it All. We know Emerson personally and she is dear to our heart! Learn more about Williams Syndrome here: http://williams-syndrome.org/ Whispering Trails Music Therapy Camp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF4DiqEdN3w Other Resources: Click here to find Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent 1 & 2, click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

Living consciousness and keeping our kids “busy” May 20, 2014

Show notes

Todd and Cathy discuss their disagreement over how "active" their kids should be in extracurricular activities. Keeping kids "busy" is connected to our past experiences and our need for constant productivity. It is essential that we see ourselves and our motives clearly when creating expectations for our children. We also talk about some conscious parent foundational elements including self-awareness, mindfulness, and kindness. Conscious parenting is not a "technique", it's actually a way of living and relating to yourself and others. Click here to find Cathy's books The Self-Aware Parent 1 & 2, click here to find her blog, and click here to find her Chicago Parent column. Todd has a few spots opening for his Men's Group. Email me @ comments@zenparentingradio.com Tree of Life Chiropractic Care have some interesting workshops planned. An outline can be found here. If you shop Amazon by going through our website first (there is an amazon link on the bottom right hand of our home page), a portion of your sale will help fund our Be U program. Thanks for supporting us! Check out our new website & be sure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting How important is a good smile? Just ask our new partner John J Kelly DDS. They are located on the northwest side of Chicago and will meet all of your family's dental needs. Painting or remodeling? Don't forget about our parnter Avid Co.

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