Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis

This week Carol dives into parenting teens and young adults with Lisa Heffernan, co-founder of Grown & Flown.  Lisa shares the story behind Grown & Flown—a website and 290k+ member online community that’s become the go-to resource for parents raising older kids. She and Carol discuss managing the stress of college admissions, and shifting parenting strategies to build stronger relationships with adult children. (Spoiler: it’s not easy, but it’s worth it!)  

With thoughtful advice and practical tips, Lisa offers a roadmap for fostering independence in teens and young adults while keeping family connections strong. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of parenting teens or building relationships with your adult children, this episode is packed with insights for you.

Links:

• Grown & Flown website
• Grown & Flown Parents Facebook Group
• Grown & Flown: How to Support Your Teen, Stay Close as a Family, and Raise Independent Adults

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Vanessa Bell Calloway, the talented star of stage and screen, joins Carol to chat about the joys and challenges of parenting adult kids. Vanessa opens up about raising her two daughters in Hollywood and how her role as a mom has evolved as her girls grew up and found their independence.

Carol and Vanessa dive into what it’s like to go from being an involved, hands-on mom to figuring out when and how to step back and give your grown kids the space they need. Vanessa talks about her own journey, sharing the hard and happy moments, the growth, and the friendship that has blossomed as her daughters have matured.

This compelling conversation is a reminder for parents about the importance of patience and learning to let go while staying a loving support in our adult kids’ lives. It’s full of relatable insights on how to adapt, support, and truly enjoy the new family dynamics that come as our kids grow up.

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Carol sits down with College Board experts Stacey Foney and Dr. Autumn Caviness to get their exclusive insights into the college admissions process, with a special focus on guiding Black families through this complex journey. Stacey and Autumn offer parents helpful answers to many admissions questions, including:

• When and how to start thinking about the college admissions process
• How standardized test scores fit in today’s process
• Scholarships, financial aid, and reducing college debt
• How to empower your children to find the best college match

This episode gives parents practical tools and insights which will make the process more manageable for all.  Whether you and your child are just beginning to think about college or you’re guiding a senior who is in the thick of it, here you’ll find valuable guidance for every stage of the journey.

Links:

• College Board
• Big Future
• Real Talk

Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com.  
And don’t forget to subscribe to the Substack newsletter for behind-the-scenes info, bonus parenting tips, and more!

Nancy’s back, with an important new book!  Carol Sutton Lewis sits down for another great conversation with NY Times best-selling author and Mompreneuers podcast host, Nancy Redd. Nancy returns to discuss her latest, The Real Body Manual: Your Visual Guide to Health and Wellness, a groundbreaking and comprehensive photographic guide that explores the realities of growing up and navigating body changes.

In this candid and open discussion, Nancy and Carol tackle everything tweens and teens need to know about their bodies. Nancy shares with Carol how the book covers essential topics like puberty, body image, self-care, gender in a judgment-free way.  They talk about how body changes during puberty, if not properly discussed and understood, can potentially impact a young person’s mental health. Carol and Nancy also discuss the importance of equipping young people with accurate information about their bodies and the best ways to take care of themselves.

Nancy’s wisdom, humor, and honesty help parents feel comfortable discussing topics they might have been avoiding. This must-listen episode provides parents and caregivers with the tools to help tweens and teens (and everyone else) understand their bodies and how they work.

Links:

The Real Body Manual: Your Visual Guide to Health and Wellness by Nancy Redd

Mompreneurs: The Joys of Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis (article in Madame Noire)

Mompreneurs Podcast Episode hosted by Nancy Redd featuring Carol Sutton Lewis

Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com.  

And don’t forget to subscribe to the Substack newsletter for behind-the-scenes info, bonus parenting tips, and more!.

How do we help our children become good and confident readers?  In this episode from the archives, Carol explores this important topic with literacy expert Maya Smart, author of Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan From Birth to Six. Maya shares invaluable tips and strategies for helping children become strong, confident readers. From nurturing early literacy at home to building strong partnerships with teachers, Maya's advice is both practical and empowering. This conversation is a must-listen for parents and caregivers committed to setting their children on the path to lifelong literacy success.

Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com.  

And don’t forget to subscribe to the Substack newsletter for behind-the-scenes info, bonus parenting tips, and more!.

Carol sits down with children’s book author Charnaie Gordon, a passionate advocate for children's literacy and diversity in books. This mom of two is a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert and the creator of the Here Wee Read blog and podcast. Her mission? To connect kids with books that reflect their diverse identities, and to foster a lifelong love for reading in children.

Charnaie talks with Carol about her own literacy journey, and how she made good on her vow (made before she had any children!) that she would raise kids who loved to read.  She and Carol swap stories about fun reading traditions and routines that help encourage early literacy, and Charnaie shares some practical tips for parents who want to boost their kids' reading confidence.  This is a must-listen episode for parents and caregivers who want to help kids fall in love with reading, find books that celebrate diversity, and learn how to make sure that children see themselves and others represented in the stories they read.

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In this powerful bonus episode, celebrated artist and filmmaker Titus Kaphar joins Carol for a captivating and thought-provoking conversation. Titus shares how discovering art transformed him from a struggling student to a MacArthur "Genius", and how a life-changing turn of events gave him an invaluable perspective on fatherhood and family.  Titus and Carol talk about his new film Exhibiting Forgiveness and its compelling take on parenting, generational trauma, and generational healing. Don't miss this fascinating discussion in which they dive deeply into the power of family relationships, creativity and love.  


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When it comes to disciplining toddlers, are we being too tough or not tough enough?  Carol talks with pediatric psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart about how to manage the challenges of raising our curious, energetic,  1-3 year olds.  Dr. Lockhart shares valuable insights and strategies for handling tantrums–a normal part of toddler development–as well as setting boundaries and fostering emotional growth in children. She breaks down currently popular parenting approaches—like “gentle” and “conscious” parenting—and shares her thoughts on which approach leads to the best outcomes.  In this conversation filled with helpful advice, Dr. Lockhart talks with Carol about why “tough love” doesn’t build a resilient child, why conversations around discipline may be more challenging for parents raising Black children, and so much more.  

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Join Carol for an inspiring conversation with Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli, creator of the acclaimed Naked Beauty podcast.  In this engaging episode, Brooke shares how she navigates the demands of parenting a toddler and entrepreneurship while making time for self-care. She offers invaluable insights on how to be an attentive, focused parent while preserving your sense of self. From beauty routines to the importance of family dinners, discover how Brooke manages it all with grace and authenticity. Don’t miss her practical tips for carving out meaningful 'me-time' in your busy schedule!


Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com

Carol sits down with Dr. Leah Austin, President and CEO of the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), to explore the many ways infants learn and how parents can nurture their development from birth. Dr. Austin also shares her expertise on infant health and nutrition, the impact of climate change on our little ones, and so much more.
Tune in to hear Dr. Austin’s practical tips on supporting our babies' health and learning, and the essential work NBCDI is doing to give parents the knowledge and resources they need to care for children in the critical first three years of life and beyond. Whether you’re a new parent or caring for young children, this episode is filled with helpful advice.

Over the course of this season we’re focusing on parenting across all stages of child development, from babies to the grown and flown. Join us on this insightful journey!

Episode Links: 

• The Power of Talking to Your Baby - NY Times (2013)

• Researchers Illustrate How Caregiver Speech Shapes Infant Brain - UT Dallas (2023)

• Where to find a NBCDI affiliate (The National Village Network)

• NBCDI: Confronting the Impacts of Environmental Toxins on Black Children and Families

• Children’s Environmental Health Day–October 10, 2024

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