We are getting a little awkward and weird in this episode, as we explore the topic of talking to kids about sex. Amy Lang, a seasoned sexual health educator, helps to unpack the best ways to approach conversations about sex and puberty with children of all ages. We cover why starting these discussions early can be crucial, how to navigate the puberty talk, and how to tackle serious subjects like consent and sexual assault. This episode is a reminder to parents that it's okay to accept the uncomfortableness you may feel during these conversations, but equally important to have them, and move through these uncharted waters with your kids, together.

Amy shares:

• What research reveals is the best time to start talking to your kids about sex and how to start!
• Navigating puberty, periods, and masturbation—what to say and how to say it
• How parents can foster open and honest communication so kids feel safe coming to them (or a trusted person) about sexual assault, whether it happened to them or someone they know
• Why sharing inappropriate pictures is always a terrible idea

About my guest: Amy Lang has been a sexual health educator for over 25 years. With her lively, engaging, and down-to-earth style, she helps parents become comfortable and confident talking with their kids. Amy's books, online solutions center, and podcast show parents they really can become their kids' go-to birds and bees source.

Amy is still married to her first husband and they are getting the hang of parenting their recently launched man-child. She lives in Seattle WA and you can learn more about her work at BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com and BBKPros.com.

Episode references: Amy's website: https://birdsandbeesandkids.com/

Amy's podcast, Just Say This: https://birdsandbeesandkids.com/category/podcast/ Amy's Porn Talk Kit: https://birdsandbeesandkids.com/sex-education-classes/how-to-have-the-sex-talk/#pornkit

Bark Parental Monitoring App: https://www.bark.us/

Never Have I Ever (TV series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10062292/

Consent for Kids (book): https://a.co/d/0bGyWu2U

Music by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Episode link: http://dvpodcasts.com/podcast/track-6-sex-talk

I am delighted to welcome parenting coach Dāli Rivera to the podcast! Dāli joins me to discuss bullying prevention and awareness for our children. "Bullying is evolving." Bullying is no longer just happening in schools. Back when I was a kid, the internet did not exist. But bullying now extends to online in the form of cyberbullying and can also continue to happen as adults enter the workforce. So what can we do as parents if we find our their child is a victim of bullying? What if we were bullied as a child - how can we prevent our own "stuff" around bullying from affecting our children? Dāli and I get into those questions and so much more!

Dāli shares:

• The types of bullying (it's not just physical!)
• Confidence is the #1 anti-bullying tool
• How to respond to your child if they tell you they are being bullied
• Some ideas around how to be assertive and stand up to bullies
• What to do if you think your child is a bully or exhibiting bullying behaviors
• Adult victims of bullying - why processing your experience and emotions around it is important.
• Should you forgive your bullies?
• The most significant gift you can give your child is the gift of confidence and self-love.

About my guest: Dāli Rivera is a highly skilled parenting coach focusing on bullying awareness and prevention education for parents of middle school-age children. With her expertise, she equips parents with the necessary tools to effectively advocate for their children and navigate the experience in a positive and healthy way.

She is also the creator of the Diversity & Anti-Bullying Academy (#DABA) and owner of DaliTalks, L.L.C. Dāli is a U.S. Army veteran, speaker, parent to two teen girls, and wife of an Army veteran. Dāli earned a master's degree in Women & Gender Studies from Towson University.

Dāli's passion to stop bullying comes from her own experiences as a bullied child and from having become an advocate for children, including her own. She has dedicated herself to sharing her knowledge to help families thrive, and promote equality in their own communities.

Episode references: Dāli's website: DaliTalks

Dāli's books: Confident, Bully-Proof Kids" and "Your Guide To Bullying Prevention 101"

Stopbullying.gov

Episode link:

https://www.dvpodcasts.com/podcast/track-5-bullying

Hey everyone, Darlene here. TLDR: New episodes are coming! Just wanted to pop in with a quick update. April's always a whirlwind for me, what with birthdays, Spring Break, and the start of racing season. So, I've been a bit out of the office lately.

But fear not! New episodes are just around the corner. Starting soon, you can expect fresh podcast interviews every other week all the way through June. We'll be diving into topics like bullying awareness, the birds and the bees talk (yep, that one!), and navigating the tricky waters of co-parenting post-divorce.

And hey, if you've got a burning topic you want me to cover or a guest you're dying to hear from, reach out! Drop your ideas at GenShifts.com or DM on Instagram @dvpodcasts or @genshiftspod.

Kate Anthony joins me for a conversation about separation and divorce, specifically how to talk to your kids about it. I know Kate and her work because she's been my client since 2018! I've been editing her podcast since then and have firsthand knowledge of her work and how she does it. I think you're really going to enjoy this week's episode.

Kate is the author of The D Word: Making the Ultimate Decision About Your Marriage, which, as of this episode's airing, is now also available in audiobook form! Kate is the host of the critically acclaimed and New York Times-recommended podcast The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast and creator of the groundbreaking online coaching program Should I Stay or Should I Go? which helps women make the most difficult decisions of their lives.

Kate shares:

• The answer to the question, "Should you stay in your marriage for your kids?"

• How to talk to your child/children about divorce, including getting on the same page about your why (why you're getting a divorce) and having some plans/details figured out before having the conversation

• Therapy and support for children of divorce

• How do you respond if your child asks, "Are you and dad getting divorced?" when you actually are not?

Episode references: Kate Anthony Kate's book Generational Shifts on Instagram Subscribe to Generational Shifts Email Notifications Christina McGhee

What to expect from this week's episode: I share an emerging theme of the podcast and podcast episodes, what resonated with me the most from my conversation with Amy Green Smith, and a resource to help cultivate meaningful connections. Plus, I drop some minor details about an upcoming giveaway!

Episode references:

Track 2: The Art of Speaking Up with Amy Green Smith

Amy's website

Brene Brown

Atlas of the Heart

Kate Anthony Music by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Episode 2 is here, and we're talking all about speaking up and "boundary-ing" up with family. My guest is Amy Green Smith, a certified and credentialed life coach, hypnotherapist, masterful speaker, and courageous communication expert. Amy is a long-time client of mine, and I am thrilled to share her brilliance with you!

Amy shares:

• Why it might be hard to speak up around family

• How people-pleasing and speaking up for yourself are closely connected

• The importance of tapping into emotions to inform when you need to be an advocate for yourself

• Her 3-prong approach to creating and enforcing boundaries

• The art of the soft entry into difficult conversations with family and friends

• Speaking up to family about respecting your child's likes and dislikes

• How to talk to other adults when their child infringes on your child's personal space/values/beliefs

Amy's approach stands out because she emphasizes finding one's voice with kindness and thoughtfulness, even in potentially difficult conversations.

As the podcast series moves along into future episodes that focus on parenting and challenging traditional parenting techniques, I encourage you to revisit this episode for a refresher on boundary creation and advocating for your choices and your children.

Episode references:

Amy's website

Amy on Instagram

Amy's Free-resources

Can A Child Be Raised Free Of Gender Stereotypes? This Family Tried, NPR's Hidden Brain Music by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

The lowdown on today's episode: The inspiration behind the podcast, who you will be hearing from this season, and a sneak peek into future episodes!

In this inaugural episode, I'm excited to share:

• What sparked the fire for this podcast
• Give you some background about me, just a teeny bit
• Provide a glimpse of what's in store for the upcoming episodes

This GenXer mom (and your podcast host) urges you to grab your Walkman, adjust those leg warmers, and get ready to uncover the tools (along with me, in almost real-time) for navigating parenthood in today's ever-changing world.

Episode references:

Kate Anthony

Amy Lang

Amy Green Smith

Christina McGhee

Bari Tessler

Music by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay