We hear a lot about our children needing to be more resilient, better able to handle challenges and disappointments. One way a parent can help is to build self-confidence in your teenager. Self-confidence can help them take reasonable risks and reach for goals. It can change the way they see themselves and interact with the world. Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler interviews Dr. Melanie McNally to find out why our teens and twenty somethings are struggling and how parents can help.

Our Guest: Dr. Melanie McNally 

Detailed Show Notes and Support at https://mightyparenting.com episode 129

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Save The Children - help a child get through the pandemic

Today's show is very short and has 2 segments focused on what we can do to help others. The first segment is about one of our sponsors and how they help us make a difference and save lives. In the second, Sandy takes a look at what she's learned from the events of the last couple weeks. She shares her thoughts and plans for her parenting and for the podcast so we can work together to change our society and end racism.

Our Host: Sandy Fowler

Detailed Show Notes and Support at MightyParenting.com

Our Sponsors - links and deals at www.mightyparenting.com/sponsors

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Diet culture is making it hard for our teens to interact with food in a healthy way. It turns food choices into moral judgements and cultivates eating disorders. Our kids feel judged for their body weight, exercise habits, and food choices and it's harming their self-esteem, health, and even their relationships with us. Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler talks with therapists Zoe Bisbing and Leslie Bloch to understand diet culture and the reality our teenagers are living in with regards to weight, body shape, and size.

Our Guests: Zoe Bisbing and Leslie Bloch of The Full Bloom Project

Detailed Show Notes and Support at MightyParenting.com Episode 127

Our Sponsors: 

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Teens do many things that baffle parents. We shake our heads and wonder why they do the things they do. But when they engage in risky behavior it scares us. When parents are scared we can over react or take a stance that makes things worse. Find out why our teenagers engage in risky behavior. Learn methods of dealing with those situations as well as the anxiety that is plaguing teens today. Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler goes behind the scenes with therapist and speaker Jon Mattleman. They discuss teen behavior and emotions, parents’ feelings, and parenting strategies for handling risky behavior.

Our Guest: Jon Mattleman

Detailed Show Notes and Support at MightyParenting.com episode 126

Sponsors - links and deals at www.mightyparenting.com/sponsors

The Great Courses Plus—30 day free trial of high quality, educational streaming videos

Save The Children - help a child get through the pandemic 

A universal truth is parents want to be close to their kids. But when our kids become teenagers it can be tricky to find ways to strengthen family bonds. One way to do it is to spend meaningful time together, and a great way to do that is to volunteer as a family. On today’s episode of the Mighty Parenting podcast, Sandy Fowler chats with Jenny Friedman from Doing Good Together. They explore the idea of giving back through volunteering. They discuss the impact of volunteering and how to volunteer as a family.

Our Guest: Jenny Friedman

Detailed Show Notes and Support at MightyParenting.com episode 125

Our Sponsors:

Versiti—We’re stronger together!

The Great Courses Plus—30 day free trial of high quality, educational streaming videos

When asked what we want for our children most parents say we want them to be happy. However, we also want them to be good, kind, responsible people. That's the premise behind Kara Kinney Cartwright's new book Just Don't Be An Assh*le: A Surprisingly Necessary Guide to Being a Good Guy. It's a straight-to-the-point conversation with our teenage sons about the unspoken rules of life. Kara brings her wit and wisdom to the Mighty Parenting podcast as she chats with Sandy Fowler about raising a good man. They'll cover those crazy teenage years when our boys' hormones are raging and their moods and attitudes can leave something to be desired and how to impart all the lessons you want your son to learn.

Our Guest: Kara Kinney Cartwright 

Detailed Show Notes and Support at MightyParenting.com episode 124

Our Sponsor: The Great Courses Plus—30 day free trial of high quality, educational streaming videos

Children’s emotional and physical health are one and the same. The health of the body impacts our emotions and thoughts. Conversely, our thoughts and feelings impact the body. As our teenagers grow up they experience intense emotions and may even have thoughts of suicide. Actually, 17% of high school students have thought about suicide. Fortunately, parents are in a position to help. Dr. Lia Gaggino talks to Sandy Fowler about the essential things every parent needs to know about teenage emotions and suicide ideation in order to keep your child safe. Be sure to listen and share this episode of the Mighty Parenting podcast with every parent you know.

Our Guest: Dr. Lia Gaggino 

Detailed Show Notes and Support at MightyParenting.com episode 123

Our Sponsors: The Great Courses Plus—30 day free trial of high quality, streaming videos at www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/mightyparenting

Parents are suddenly thrust into the position of teacher. Not only that, but they have to do it while adhering to someone else's schedule and plan. Coping with learning at home is pushing many parents over the edge and causing their stress levels to soar. There are a lot of tips out there for managing logistics but there is more to it than that. Sandy Fowler shares insights and a mindset that helps families survive and thrive during this crazy time.

Our Guest: Sandy Fowler

Detailed Show Notes and Support at MightyParenting.com episode 122

Our Sponsors: The Great Courses Plus—30 day free trial of high quality, educational streaming videos

Versiti—We’re stronger together!

Support this podcast at MightyParenting.com/support

Parenting teenagers is challenging. Pushback, arguments, silence and distancing are some of the hallmarks of this stage. One of the more challenging situations for parents comes from your teen pushing your buttons. It's like we're wearing a shirt with big pictures of buttons saying, "Push here!" They are masters at knowing what to say or do that sends our emotions into overdrive. Hunter Clarke-Fields has some tips and strategies for us today that can help you keep your cool or manage the situation when you don't. She'll share those and her stories with Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler so we can all learn and find a more peaceful path.

Our Guest: Hunter Clarke-Fields

Detailed Show Notes and Support at https://mightyparenting.com/when-your-teenager-is-pushing-your-buttons-hunter-clarke-fields-episode-121

Our Sponsors:

Versiti—We’re stronger together!

The Great Courses Plus—30 day free trial of high quality, educational streaming videos 

Families everywhere are dealing with lack of routine, lost connection, living and working in close quarters, and even grief as COVID-19 runs its course. Our kids are living with a lot of disappointment and fear, and they may feel adrift. All of this is creating anxiety. Mighty Parenting podcast host and stress relief coach Sandy Fowler addresses Coronavirus anxiety. She shares insights on using this time to share your values with your children as well as tips for families on how they can reduce Coronavirus anxiety.

Our Host: Sandy Fowler

Detailed Show Notes and Support at https://mightyparenting.com/relieving-coronavirus-anxiety-sandy-fowler-episode-120/

Our Sponsor: Versiti—We’re stronger together!

Support this podcast at MightyParenting.com/support