Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest moments a family can face—and delivering that news to your children can feel almost impossible. In this deeply personal episode, Shawn shares his own experience of making the heartbreaking decision to put down his family’s dog, Dudley, and walks parents through how to handle the conversation with honesty, compassion, and steadiness.

You’ll hear practical steps for preparing yourself, guidance for answering your children's tough questions, and heartfelt advice for sitting with their grief (and your own). Shawn also talks openly about anger, sadness, and the emotional waves that come with losing a pet—and reminds parents that simply being present through it all is an act of real love.

If you're facing this moment, you are not alone. Tune in for wisdom, support, and encouragement.

When your child shuts down, it’s not defiance—it’s overwhelm. In this episode, Shawn shares 5 ways to support your child through sadness with calm, connection, and compassion.

In this episode of aParently! A Podcast for Parents, we’re talking about one of the hardest parts of parenting: waiting. Waiting for your child to take responsibility, make a better choice, or learn from their mistakes—without stepping in to fix it for them. We’ll walk through real-life scenarios (like unfinished homework and forgotten jackets), explore the fear that drives our urge to control, and offer practical steps for staying patient while natural consequences do their work. Plus, we’ll talk about why this process takes time—and how the long game builds lasting growth.

Spoiler: It’s not about getting it right once. It’s about trusting the process.

This podcast dives into those grumpy parent moments when stress boils over and spills onto the whole family, often triggered by something as simple as a messy room. Coach Shawn shares practical tools to check in with yourself, use "I" statements, and shift from ordering and blaming to guiding and connecting, creating opportunities for growth and understanding with your kids.

Helping kids take responsibility without constant reminders can feel impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies and a mindset shift that have helped me as a parent. From simple tools like whiteboard stickers and chore boards to avoiding common pitfalls like nagging and threats, we’ll explore how to equip kids with habits that actually stick.

Listen now and start making responsibility a natural part of your child’s routine.

A Personal Episode to Help You Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences

This episode of aParently is a personal one. Parent-teacher conferences always bring up big emotions for me—anxiety, self-doubt, and that nagging fear that I’m not doing enough for my kid. If you’ve ever felt the same, you’re not alone.

I’m sharing my own experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, and the strategies that have helped me walk into these meetings feeling more prepared and less overwhelmed. We’ll cover the right questions to ask, how to advocate for your child, and how to manage the emotions that come with hearing feedback—good or bad.

If parent-teacher conferences stress you out, this episode will help you walk in with confidence and walk out with a plan.

Parents often enter conversations with a goal in mind, but real connection happens when we release control and truly hear our kids. Shawn shares insights and tools to help you engage in open, meaningful conversations without pushing your own agenda.

Plus, learn about upcoming community events, including a Virtual Single Parent Workshop and a Dads Group gathering.

Tune in to discover how listening can transform your relationship with your children.

In this episode, we dive into the power of listening—really listening—to our kids. As parents, we often want to give advice, fix problems, or share our opinions, but sometimes, the best thing we can do is simply be present. I’ll share my own struggles with listening, the impact our voices have on our children’s inner dialogue, and practical steps to become a more compassionate and attentive parent. Plus, I’ll introduce an exciting opportunity for parents to join a collaborative online community full of quick, digestible resources to support each other on this journey.

Tune in, take a breath, and let’s listen.

🎧 Want to be part of the conversation? Join our parent community at shawnhop.com or email me at [email protected].

Every parent wants their child to feel confident, but what happens when they don’t see their own strengths? In this episode of aParently, we dive into how to help kids develop real confidence—not arrogance—by recognizing their unique abilities, handling setbacks with a growth mindset, and fostering independence.

I’ll share personal stories, practical strategies, and small shifts that can make a big difference in how kids see themselves. Plus, we’ll explore how your own confidence plays a role in shaping theirs. Whether your child is struggling with self-doubt or just needs a little boost, this episode will give you actionable tools to help them see how cool they really are.

Listen in, and let’s build kids up—one honest conversation at a time.

Stay Cool Daddio: Equanimity Follow-Up

In this 2nd episode, Coach Shawn dives deeper into the art of equanimity, offering practical tools to help you recognize when emotions are running the show and how to regain control with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re navigating parenting challenges, managing stress, or just trying to stay grounded amidst life’s chaos, this episode is your guide to maintaining balance and responding to life’s ups and downs with grace.

Join Shawn for an insightful, engaging conversation designed to empower you to stay calm, present, and in control—no matter what life throws your way. Register for a free coaching session with Coach Shawn at www.shawnhop.com