Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting with Annie Fox, M.Ed.

It's not easy being a teen. Being the parent of one is no walk in the park either. Actor/singer/songwriter Maggie Baird puts it this way, "You're so involved in your little kids' lives. You feel so needed. And then they get to be teenagers. They really really need you, but they don't display it in the same way. They don't necessarily want you to be quite as present, and you find yourself at a loss. How do you be this present parent without going out of your mind?" Annie talks with Maggie about her new film, "Life Inside Out," in which she co-stars with her son, songwriter, Finneas O'Connell. Life Inside Out is an honest and beautifully textured mother-son story, based on Maggie's family. Watch the film trailer.

About Maggie Baird (@MaggieBMusic)

Maggie Baird began her theatrical career in NYC performing on and Off Broadway and in theatres around the country. After moving to Los Angeles she became a company member of The Groundlings where she wrote and performed for many years, while working extensively in Television and Film on such productions as The X-Files, Chicago Hope, Six Feet Under, Manic, and countless others. She is also known for her work as a voice over artist both as a looper and in commercials, animation, and video games, most prominently as Samara in the Mass Effect series. As a singer/songwriter, she has released two CD's and performs her original music in clubs around Los Angeles. She is the co-writer and star of the feature film, "Life Inside Out." Learn more at http://LifeInsideOutTheMovie.com

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

Amy Lang was a sexuality educator throughout her 20's and 30's, who "loved talking to people about sex." But when her four-year-old son made a comment about his penis, she froze. She was so surprised at how uncomfortable she was that she had a eureka moment. "I'm going to have to figure out how to help other parents, and myself, talk to their kids about sexuality." Annie talks with Amy about where that parental discomfort comes from and how we can get past it to empower our kids with the information they need to feel good about themselves and make good choices.

About Amy Lang (@birdsandbees)

Amy Lang, M.Ed., is a sexuality educator who teaches parents of all beliefs how to have easy, open, and effective conversations with our kids about sexuality, love, and relationships. She founded BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com in 2005. Through that site she's helped thousands of parents "kick-ass when it comes to the sex talks." She's also helped hundreds of professionals who work with children to keep the kids in their care safer from sexual abuse through keynotes and trainings about sexual behavior and development. Learn more at http://BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com

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

Amy Lang was a sexuality educator throughout her 20's and 30's, who "loved talking to people about sex." But when her four-year-old son made a comment about his penis, she froze. She was so surprised at how uncomfortable she was that she had a eureka moment. "I'm going to have to figure out how to help other parents, and myself, talk to their kids about sexuality." Annie talks with Amy about where that parental discomfort comes from and how we can get past it to empower our kids with the information they need to feel good about themselves and make good choices.

About Amy Lang (@birdsandbees)

Amy Lang, M.Ed., is a sexuality educator who teaches parents of all beliefs how to have easy, open, and effective conversations with our kids about sexuality, love, and relationships. She founded BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com in 2005. Through that site she's helped thousands of parents "kick-ass when it comes to the sex talks." She's also helped hundreds of professionals who work with children to keep the kids in their care safer from sexual abuse through keynotes and trainings about sexual behavior and development. Learn more at http://BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com

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

When developers first started creating apps for kids, the focus was primarily on math and language arts skills. But now the new hot area for app development is social and emotional learning (SEL). According to USA Today Kid-Tech columnist Jinny Gudmundsen, "As the app world has grown and seasoned a bit, we now are finding app developers tackling all sorts of interesting questions, and it's amazing what you can expose children to (through apps)." Annie talks with Jinny about the best kids' apps for teaching social and emotional skill-building.

Jinny Gudmundsen's recommended Social and Emotional Learning apps mentioned in this podcast:

"Make Me Smile" by Apptation Inc.

"Daniel Tiger's Grr-ific Feelings" by PBS Kids

"My Beastly ABC's" by the Duncan Studio

"Even Monsters Are" Shy by Busy Bee Studios

"Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are" by Electric Eggplant

"Middle School Confidential 2: Real Friends vs the Other Kind" by Electric Eggplant

"Middle School Confidential 3: What's Up With My Family?" by Electric Eggplant

"Loose Strands" by Darned Socks Production

About Jinny Gudmundsen (@TechwKids)

Jinny Gudmundsen is the Kid-Tech columnist for USA Today. She's also the Editor of Tech with Kids, where she publishes reviews and Best Picks recommendation lists of children's apps, video games, websites, and tech toys. The site's mission is to help parents, grandparents, and teachers find the best tech to use with their kids. Learn more at http://TechWithKids.com

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

When developers first started creating apps for kids, the focus was primarily on math and language arts skills. But now the new hot area for app development is social and emotional learning (SEL). According to USA Today Kid-Tech columnist Jinny Gudmundsen, "As the app world has grown and seasoned a bit, we now are finding app developers tackling all sorts of interesting questions, and it's amazing what you can expose children to (through apps)." Annie talks with Jinny about the best kids' apps for teaching social and emotional skill-building.

Jinny Gudmundsen's recommended Social and Emotional Learning apps mentioned in this podcast:

"Make Me Smile" by Apptation Inc.

"Daniel Tiger's Grr-ific Feelings" by PBS Kids

"My Beastly ABC's" by the Duncan Studio

"Even Monsters Are" Shy by Busy Bee Studios

"Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are" by Electric Eggplant

"Middle School Confidential 2: Real Friends vs the Other Kind" by Electric Eggplant

"Middle School Confidential 3: What's Up With My Family?" by Electric Eggplant

"Loose Strands" by Darned Socks Production

About Jinny Gudmundsen (@TechwKids)

Jinny Gudmundsen is the Kid-Tech columnist for USA Today. She's also the Editor of Tech with Kids, where she publishes reviews and Best Picks recommendation lists of children's apps, video games, websites, and tech toys. The site's mission is to help parents, grandparents, and teachers find the best tech to use with their kids. Learn more at http://TechWithKids.com

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

For LGBT youth, one of the hardest things may be coming out to parents. After all, a parents' reaction to the fact that one's child is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender can have a profound impact on that child. Susan Berland, certified parenting coach and mom of an LGBT son says, "Over the years, I've spoken with many LGBT people who never resolved the issue with their parents or their parents never resolved feelings. I've seen the impact this rejection has on these adult children long-term. Many have dealt with substance abuse, some have never really had successful relationships." Annie talks with Susan about providing parents with the support and acceptance they need to love and accept their LGBT children of any age.

About Susan Berland (@SusanBerland)

Parenting Coach Susan Berland is fiercely committed to guiding parents of gay youth back to a loving, accepting relationship when they are struggling to accept their child as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Trained as a Certified Professional Coach by The Coaches Training Institute, Susan's mission and commitment is to provide the support and tools to bring your family back together. Learn more at http://SusanHopeBerland.com

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

For LGBT youth, one of the hardest things may be coming out to parents. After all, a parents' reaction to the fact that one's child is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender can have a profound impact on that child. Susan Berland, certified parenting coach and mom of an LGBT son says, "Over the years, I've spoken with many LGBT people who never resolved the issue with their parents or their parents never resolved feelings. I've seen the impact this rejection has on these adult children long-term. Many have dealt with substance abuse, some have never really had successful relationships." Annie talks with Susan about providing parents with the support and acceptance they need to love and accept their LGBT children of any age.

About Susan Berland (@SusanBerland)

Parenting Coach Susan Berland is fiercely committed to guiding parents of gay youth back to a loving, accepting relationship when they are struggling to accept their child as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Trained as a Certified Professional Coach by The Coaches Training Institute, Susan's mission and commitment is to provide the support and tools to bring your family back together. Learn more at http://SusanHopeBerland.com

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

The tween years are transitional years for kids and parents. Amy Ambrozich, parent educator, defines this period as the shift between the elementary school years ("typically smooth and easy going") to middle school where kids feel like everything is changing, including their place in social groups. A parent's role is changing, too. "They're trying on new skin and now we're parenting a young adult with training wheels. Consistency is the key to getting through these years," says Amy, who counsels parents of tweens in her private practice. Annie talks with Amy about riding the emotional roller coaster together with your child so that kids and parents can transition more smoothly.

About Amy Ambrozich (@AmyAmbrozich)

Amy Ambrozich, has been a parent educator since 2007. Her background includes a B.A. in clinical and child psychology from Purdue University and an M.A. in School Psychology. Amy founded Dare to Parent, LLC to support parents by providing workshops and consultations that give them the needed strategies to reduce stress and improve the parent-child relationship. Learn more at http://DareToParent.com and on Amy's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Daretoparent.

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

The tween years are transitional years for kids and parents. Amy Ambrozich, parent educator, defines this period as the shift between the elementary school years ("typically smooth and easy going") to middle school where kids feel like everything is changing, including their place in social groups. A parent's role is changing, too. "They're trying on new skin and now we're parenting a young adult with training wheels. Consistency is the key to getting through these years," says Amy, who counsels parents of tweens in her private practice. Annie talks with Amy about riding the emotional roller coaster together with your child so that kids and parents can transition more smoothly.

About Amy Ambrozich (@AmyAmbrozich)

Amy Ambrozich, has been a parent educator since 2007. Her background includes a B.A. in clinical and child psychology from Purdue University and an M.A. in School Psychology. Amy founded Dare to Parent, LLC to support parents by providing workshops and consultations that give them the needed strategies to reduce stress and improve the parent-child relationship. Learn more at http://DareToParent.com and on Amy's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Daretoparent.

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

A new definition of family is: a constantly changing, evolving group of people who we feel close to. These folks may or may not be relatives. During the teenage years, changes in family dynamics can challenge the closeness of families. Annie talks with Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski about the "soul" of the family (the "stickiness, the glue that holds the family together), the essential role of the Family Caretaker (the "champion of the soul of the family"), and how all of this can help us become a happier family as our children race toward the teen years and beyond.

About Susan Smith Kuczmarski (@sskuczmarski)

Susan Smith Kuczmarski, Ed.D. has the pulse on today's families. Trained as a cultural anthropologist, she has extensively researched how children learn social skills and how teens become leaders. During the course of a career that spans more than three decades, Susan has taught at eight universities, worked in three nonprofit educational organizations, including the United Nations, and co-founded an innovation consulting firm, Kuczmarski Innovation, in Chicago. Her books include: "Becoming A Happy Family: Pathways to the Family Soul" and "The Sacred Flight of the Teenager: A Parent's Guide to Stepping Back and Letting Go". Learn more at http://SacredFlight.com

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