Are 21st Century Dads really all that different from 20th century dads? According to parent coach Aaron Schiller, "Today's dads around the world are changing more diapers than ever before." A welcome change, for sure, but in what other ways are dads stepping into a more prominent role in the lives of their sons and daughters? Annie talks with Aaron about helping dads transition into a hands-on relationship with their children, especially if they themselves had a mostly "hands-off" kind of father growing up.

About Aaron Schiller (@CoachSchiller)
Aaron Schiller coaches and counsels kids and parents who are struggling, like so many of us do–with divorce, school, behavior, a crisis, a big change, or even just feeling disconnected from each other, and he's developed an in-home, whole family model that reaches kids and adults where they live. Aaron has more than fifteen years of experience working with young people as a former Special Education Teacher, Group Home Counselor and Youth Sports Coach. He is also the founder of the Mindful Father Experience, a training designed to support dads in their journey to be more involved, patient, accepting, and loving parents. Learn more about Aaron and his work at http://CoachSchiller.com

Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV083: Twenty-first Century Dads — Guest: Aaron Schiller

Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a biweekly podcast that focuses on 21st century parenting challenges and solutions. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential brings you practical parenting advice through in-depth conversations with authors, educators and therapists. If you're a parent of a tween or teen, this series is for you. In fact, you can become part of the series by sending in your parenting questions and getting direct answers. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the teen years and beyond. FamilyConfidential.com

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As kids grow their bodies change. So do their thoughts, feelings and desires. When young adolescents (10-14 year olds) start experiencing crushes, it can be exciting, awkward and very confusing. Tweens need education designed for them so they can make healthy choices when they are ready to become sexually active. Enter AMAZE, an innovative and yes, friendly, animated online video sex education resource for young adolescents. AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex education, or as they put it: "More info. Less weird." AMAZE is a partnership of three non-profit organizations: Answer, Advocates for Youth. and Youth Tech Health. Nicole Cushman, Executive Director of Answer, says, "The research shows that teens actually want to hear more from their parents about their values and expectations when it comes to sex, dating, and relationships." Encouraging, right? Annie talks to Nicole about how parents can comfortably talk to teens about sex.

About Nicole Cushman (@SexHonestly) and AMAZE (@AmazeOrg)
Nicole Cushman, MPH, Executive Director of Answer, an award-winning, national organization, providing invaluable sexuality education resources to millions of young people and adults every year. And one of the partners of Amaze.org. Nicole is passionate about empowering young people through honest, relevant and effective sexuality education. She has nearly 15 years of experience as an educator and trainer in sexual and reproductive health and has worked to strengthen sexuality education policies and programs across the U.S. Nicole oversees Answer’s sexuality education programs, finances and fundraising. She also manages Answer’s relationship with Rutgers University and represents Answer in the media. Learn more about http://Answer.rutgers.edu and http://AMAZE.org.

Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV103 Tween Sex Talk. More Info. Less Weird, Nicole Cushman

When computer games are a problem for parents, it's usually because a child/teen has become obsessed and no longer shows interest in "family time." Even when family time isn't impacted, parents may have other questions like:

• "Is my child addicted to computer games?"
• "Are violent games encouraging my child to be violent and/or desensitizing him to violence?"
• "Is all this screen time hurting my child's social development?"

Dr. Rachel Kowert, psychologist, online gamer, and author of "A Parent's Guide to Video Games: The essential guide to understanding how video games impact your child's physical, social, and psychological well-being", makes a strong case for the positive impact of computer games and why parents may not need to worry about their kids' love of gaming.

About Dr. Rachel Kowert (@DrRachelKowert)
Dr. Kowert's research is primarily focused on the social impact of online games. This includes addressing the anecdotal claim that online game players are socially different/deficient as compared to offline or non-players, examining the impact of online video game play on offline friendship networks, and evaluating the tangible social benefits of online game play. Learn more at http://RKowert.com

About Annie Fox, M.Ed.
Annie is a parenting expert with 30+ years experience. She's been an online adviser to tweens, teens and parents since 1997. Her award-winning books include: "Teaching Kids to Be Good People", "The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship", and the groundbreaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series. More information about Annie at: http://AnnieFox.com

About Family Confidential
Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a weekly podcast about 21st century parenting joys and challenges. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential provides practical parenting advice through down-to-earth interviews with parenting experts, educators, therapists, and entrepreneurs. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the tween years and beyond. http://FamilyConfidential.com

FCV102 Good News about Kids and Video Games, Dr. Rachel Kowert

At times, every child feels worried, confused, or scared. In those moments, kids need safe adults to talk to. When your child comes to you, out of the blue, with a burning question, or when your family is faced with a sensitive situation that requires your bringing kids into the loop, how do you do it effectively? Psychologist Dr. Robyn Silverman, author of "Good Girls Don't Get Fat" and "Bully: An Action Plan for Teachers, Parents and Communities to Combat the Bullying Crisis" reminds parents that conversations are "not soliloquies." Listening (without distractions) to what your child has to say is at least as important as what you have to say. Annie and Robyn discuss how to talk to kids about anything.

About Robyn Silverman (@DrRobyn)
Dr. Robyn Silverman, AKA Dr. Robyn, is a leading Child and Adolescent Development Specialist with a focus on character education and body/self esteem development during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. As a strong believer that children are assets to be developed, not deficits to be managed, her work reflects a positive approach that shows that with the right tools, all young people have the ability to thrive and succeed. Her popular podcast "How to Talk To Kids About Anything" is a compassionate resource for parents. As a body image expert, Dr. Robyn’s groundbreaking research at Tufts University demonstrates that those girls who deviate from the Western ideal of thinness can find a way to thrive. Learn more at: http://DrRobynSilverman.com

About Annie Fox, M.Ed.
Annie is a parenting expert with 30+ years experience. She's been an online adviser to tweens, teens and parents since 1997. Her award-winning books include: "Teaching Kids to Be Good People", "The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship", and the groundbreaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series. More information about Annie at: http://AnnieFox.com

About Family Confidential
Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a biweekly podcast about 21st century parenting joys and challenges. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential provides practical parenting advice through down-to-earth interviews with parenting experts, educators, therapists, and entrepreneurs. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the tween years and beyond. http://FamilyConfidential.com

Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV101 How to Talk to Kids About Anything, Dr. Robyn Silverman

In the minds of kids as well as adults "failure" is something to be avoided at all costs. But Jessica Lahey, educator and author of "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Kids Can Succeed" says we may be missing something important in our mistake-averse approach to life. "I don't want kids to fail. I want kids to have this adapt-positive response to making mistakes. Unfortunately, when I talk to parents these days a B- is 'failure' to them." Annie talks with Jessica about how our current hyper fixation on success hurts kids and what we can do to help them succeed while acknowledging the value of making mistakes along the way.

About Jessica Lahey (@JessLahey)
Jessica Lahey is an educator, writer, and speaker. She is an English and writing teacher, correspondent for the Atlantic, commentator for Vermont Public Radio, and writes the "Parent-Teacher Conference" column for the New York Times. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed". Learn more at http://JessicaLahey.com

About Annie Fox, M.Ed.
Annie is a parenting expert with 30+ years experience. She's been an online adviser to tweens, teens and parents since 1997. Her award-winning books include: "Teaching Kids to Be Good People", "The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship", and the groundbreaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series. More information about Annie at: http://AnnieFox.com

About Family Confidential
Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a biweekly podcast about 21st century parenting joys and challenges. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential provides practical parenting advice through down-to-earth interviews with parenting experts, educators, therapists, and entrepreneurs. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the tween years and beyond. http://FamilyConfidential.com

Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV100 The Gift of Failure, Jessica Lahey

In the minds of kids as well as adults "failure" is something to be avoided at all costs. But Jessica Lahey, educator and author of "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Kids Can Succeed" says we may be missing something important in our mistake-averse approach to life. "I don't want kids to fail. I want kids to have this adapt-positive response to making mistakes. Unfortunately, when I talk to parents these days a B- is 'failure' to them." Annie talks with Jessica about how our current hyper fixation on success hurts kids and what we can do to help them succeed while acknowledging the value of making mistakes along the way.

About Jessica Lahey (@JessLahey)
Jessica Lahey is an educator, writer, and speaker. She is an English and writing teacher, correspondent for the Atlantic, commentator for Vermont Public Radio, and writes the "Parent-Teacher Conference" column for the New York Times. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed". Learn more at http://JessicaLahey.com

About Annie Fox, M.Ed.
Annie is a parenting expert with 30+ years experience. She's been an online adviser to tweens, teens and parents since 1997. Her award-winning books include: "Teaching Kids to Be Good People", "The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship", and the groundbreaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series. More information about Annie at: http://AnnieFox.com

About Family Confidential
Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a weekly podcast about 21st century parenting joys and challenges. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential provides practical parenting advice through down-to-earth interviews with parenting experts, educators, therapists, and entrepreneurs. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the tween years and beyond. http://FamilyConfidential.com

Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV083: Twenty-first Century Dads — Guest: Aaron Schiller

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