The relational whiplash of parenting tweens and teens can leave parents spinning. One morning they're hugging you at breakfast and the next anything you say is a minefield of conflict. Join us for our fun and insightful conversation with Jeanine Mouchawar, a mom who's been through it with her own teens and who learned valuable communication skills along the way.

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Today in the US, way over half of 11-14 year-olds wear braces and a growing number of adults have joined those ranks.  Correcting a child's bite is about more than appearances. How do you know if your child might need braces? How early should you check with an orthodontist?  In this episode, we're talking about experiences in our own families and hearing from an expert: Dr. Alex from Atlas Orthodontics. 

atlasbraces.com

The thought of accidentally leaving your child in a car seems unthinkable--something only careless or negligent parents would do.  But science and real-world cases tell a different story.  Today's guest is Michael Israel, nephew of one of the inventors of CLEVERELLY, a unique & effective reminder device that disrupts our normal patterns--even when we zone out.  

cleverelly.com

If you're not a teacher, you're not as likely to know how to teach reading to your child. It's easier to miss signals your child might be struggling or know how to help them.  Guest Daniela Feldhausen teaches us how to recognize early signs of dyslexia and dysgraphia and gives some helpful early intervention tips to set kids on the right track to reading well. 

Kids Up Reading Tutors

One of our favorite podcast guests ever, Kathy Cunningham gets real about what it's like navigating our changing role when our kids are adults out in the world on their own journeys. It's often tough on a parent's heart, but it's God's invitation into surrender and a stronger faith. 

@kathycunningham717

Listeners of JAM can get a 10% discount on membership via Kathy's website by entering the code:  GRMEM10

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.kathycunningham.org/

Doing Life With Your Adult Children, by Jim Burns

When Marriage is Tough (previous JAM podcast)

Generational patterns, the behavioral, belief, and value systems that are passed down through families across generations, can be positive, but often the negative ones, like unhealthy coping mechanisms or repetitive relationship dynamics, are more noticeable. Dr. Carol Chu-Peralta, a trauma psychologist, talks us through how to recognize and diffuse the negative patterns to build better foundations for our families.

If you feel like you're treading water all the time as a parent, you're at the mercy of culture's current.  Our guest, Josh Poteet, lead pastor of 180 Life Church in West Hartford, CT, talks with us on this episode about ways to keep your family anchored, and what discipleship looks like in a family setting.

 Parenting Against the Current: Taking Back Discipleship in Your Home 

Parentingagainstthecurrent.com

When Rachael gave birth to her first child the same year her father was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, she found herself part of the 24% of caregivers in the US who are millennials. During one of the busiest transitional times of life, this group of caregivers faces challenges unique to their age group. For them, the sandwich generation has additional layers. 

The Millennial Caregiver: Caring For Loved Ones in the Busiest Years of Your Life

Today’s topic might fuel some conversation around your family dinner table, especially if you’ve got older elementary kids or tweens.  How do you know if your child’s current interests are “worth it?”  Worth the money, time, and energy; worth the schlepping to and from lessons, wrestling with their boredom or waning interest when things get hard?  Today’s guest is RENEE HARRIS, a mom who’s got some skin in the game.  There are NINE children in her family, and their approach to this question has been out-of-the-box. Maybe it’ll make you look at your child’s talents in a different way, too.

parenttheirpassion.com

#podmatch

As a follow-up to our episode about middle school friendships with Jessica Speer, we had our own conversation about friendship: what it means, what it doesn't, what you can or should expect or not. Friendships are different from family. They're essential but--like everything that has to do with humans--they can be tricky!