After losing his son, a grieving father goes on a mission to understand teen suicide. Jason Reid uncovers painful truths about the lives of teens, the impact of unfettered access to the internet and social media, and the shocking rise of depression among America’s youth. In examining his son’s technology use, he discovered what no parent wants to find. Seeking to uncover the warning signs that were missed, he instead found ways to reverse the isolation and disconnectedness that is killing our youth.

Dr. Meg & Jason Reid (Part 1)
Guest Jason Reid begins this episode by describing the days leading up to his 14 yr old son Ryan’s unexpected suicide. Looking back, he realizes that there were some warning signs, but he didn’t know how to read or respond to those signs at the time. Since Jason himself never struggled with depression, he didn’t know how to recognize it in his son’s life, and he didn’t talk to Ryan about mental health because it was never on his radar to do so – in his mind, depression and suicide were things that only happened to other people. Jason describes how he made the mistake of thinking that Ryan was “just another grumpy teenager” who wanted to be alone more and more, and retreat to his room. On a broader scope, Jason expresses how our culture needs to move from “creating awareness” of teen suicide to actually doing something to change the trajectory of it. He believes that we have the ability to end teen suicide by the year 2030, and answers the burning question, “How can that be done?”

Dr. Meg & Jason Reid (Part 2)
Jason Reid doesn’t want any other parent to have to endure what he and his wife went through in losing their son to suicide. With this in mind, he and Dr. Meg discuss the incredible need for parents to be aware of the mental health of their children. There is immense pressure on kids today, much more so than in years past, and their adolescent brains are not developed enough to know how to process the stresses and pressures that they are experiencing on a daily basis. Parents must not only be aware of their kids’ mental health, but every parent needs to be actively talking with their children about mental health, whether they suspect there may be any issues or not.

FROM THE PRODUCER

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Women today typically deal with more stress than in past generations, and often struggle to find work/life balance. What is work/life balance? Is it a 50/50 split? How do mothers today juggle all that is required of them? Christy Wright, author of “Take Back Your Time: The Guilt-Free Guide to Life Balance”, provides tactical steps to create your own version of balance – where you get to decide what’s right for you!

Dr. Meg & Guest Christy Wright (Part 1)

Guest Christy Wright discusses the underlying narratives that mothers deal with on a regular basis, and provides a new definition of the word, balance. She poses the question, “What if balance isn’t something that you have to do, like a verb; what if it is something you can create in your life – to be able to feel a sense of balance in an out-of-balance world?” Another word for balance can be “peace” – You can be busy, and still be balanced, and at peace. You can be confident in your choices and decisions in how to spend your time. But how is this attained? Christy offers practical insights into what balance is, and provides 5 tactical steps to create your own version of balance in your life – you get to decide what’s right for you!

Dr. Meg & Guest Christy Wright (Part 2)

Dr. Meg and guest Christy Wright continue their engaging and informative conversation about balance, and how women can take back their time by creating their own balance that works for them. Fight the pressure of the culture that tries to tell you what a “good” mom is. Pinpoint what is stealing your time and energy. Decide what matters and then protect what matters by setting boundaries and saying no, when needed. It’s different for everyone. But the bottom line is: stop applying so much pressure on yourself. Find the balance that works for you, and begin to take back your time!

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 159, “Take Back Your Time” and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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This episode features the Dad-Daughter duo, Becky Thompson and Dr. Mark Pitts, co-authors of Midnight Dad Devotional: 100 Devotions and Prayers to Connect Dads Just Like You to the Father. Men will be encouraged to learn how God is with them through their parenting journey, in all seasons of life, and will be strengthened in their resolve to become the best father they can be.

Dr. Meg & Guests Becky Thompson & Dr. Mark Pitts (Part 1)

Dr. Mark Pitts explains how fathering seems to have moved from being rooted in relationship and connection with their kids to becoming more of a utilitarian role – provider and protector, sans any real relationship. A father’s role is often scaled down to tasks – disciplinarian, driver, coach, homework checker, money lender. Yet Dr. Pitts is finding that more and more men desire a return to being in true relationship with their children and they want to know how they can develop a deeper connection and long-lasting bond with their kids.

Dr. Meg & Guests Becky Thompson & Dr. Mark Pitts (Part 2)

Becky Thompson and Dr. Mark Pitts share further insights from Midnight Dad Devotional, explaining how the daily devotions give men a sense of connection with other fathers, strength for the day ahead, wisdom from the Bible for tough situations, affirmation of the importance of their role, and the reassurance that God is with them, no matter what.

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 158, “Midnight Dad Devotional” and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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Children don’t often know how to voice their worries, and they may even think the things they are worried about are silly or unimportant. Today’s guest, Dr. Josh Straub, along with his wife, Christi, co-wrote the children’s book, “What Do I Do With Worry?” as a way to help parents foster emotional awareness in their kids. Listen in and be equipped to help your kids deal with worry and anxiety in a positive way.

Dr. Meg & Guest Dr. Josh Straub (Part 1)

If a child doesn't have the language to express what they are worried about, it can manifest in ways that show up as disobedience, anger, fear, or in other ways. Experiencing this firsthand with their own children was a major reason why Dr. Josh felt compelled to write, “What Do I Do With Worry?” While many parents focus on addressing the outward manifestation of negative behaviors, Dr. Josh explains how they can dig deeper into their child’s heart to find out if their child may actually be feeling worried – while manifesting a different, negative behavior. The focus should be on the emotion that the child is experiencing, not just the behavior being exhibited.

Dr. Meg & Guest Dr. Josh Straub (Part 2)

As the conversation continues, Dr. Josh Straub explains the difference between worry and anxiety in children. What causes anxiety in kids? How can we best help our kids deal with anxiety? Dr. Josh uses examples from the book to teach parents how to connect with their children when it comes to dealing with anxious thoughts and behaviors: Talk about it. Label specific worries. Be grateful. In a very finite way, parents can help calm their children’s brains when they are worried or anxious, when they sit with them and listen to what they have to say.

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 157, What Do I Do With Worry? and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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Dr. Meg has a heart to heart conversation with Ashley Le Mieux, who shares how she tragically lost three of her children – two to the foster care system, and one to a premature birth. Rising from the ashes of pain and loss, Ashley describes her journey to finding healing and transformation, and shares how you can do the same.

DR MEG & GUEST ASHLEY LEMIEUX (PART 1)

This episode begins with Ashley explaining how she and her husband were permanent guardians of two children for over four years, and how they were in the process of adopting when the adoption was unexpectedly contested. As quickly as the children had come into their lives, they were taken from them, literally overnight. Three and a half years later, Ashley and her husband also tragically lost a biological son. Ashley describes these heart-wrenching experiences before she and Dr. Meg dive into discussing her book, “I Am Here: The Journey from Fear to Freedom”. Key points include:

DR MEG & GUEST ASHLEY LEMIEUX (PART 2)

Dr. Meg and Ashley LeMieux continue their conversation, discussing the process of reimagining your future and reclaiming your power. Ashley introduces a tool called, “Clarity Mapping,” which helps determine priorities in order to create tangible, bite-sized, actionable items for each day. Listeners can learn to move through their pain and loss to find clarity using these confidence-building practices.

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 156, I AM HERE: THE JOURNEY FROM FEAR TO FREEDOM, and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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Grandparenting is different now than it has been in past generations. Many households require two incomes and, with both parents often working outside the home, grandparents tend to fill the gap in taking care of the kids. While this gives grandparents a special window into their grandkids’ lives, it can be tricky in that they must follow the parameters set by their adult children in how they want their children to be raised – often different from generation to generation. Dr. Meg, along with her guest, Dr. Ken Canfield – both involved grandparents themselves – impart wisdom and insight as they share real-life experiences and discuss essential keys to help navigate the joys and difficulties of grandparenting.

DR MEG & GUEST DR KEN CANFIELD (PART 1)

So much of being a good grandparent is being a good parent all over again to your adult children. A strong relationship with your adult child will have a big impact on your relationship with your grandkids. In part one of this episode, Dr. Canfield, who authored the book, “The Heart of Grandparenting,” discusses the importance of reconciliation between generations. Grandparents often desire a “do-over” of their own parenting years, as they realize the mistakes they made, and want to help their adult children do better with their kids. However, grown children don’t always want to listen to advice from their parents, especially when it comes to raising their own children. This creates a tension that needs to be carefully navigated, and Dr. Canfield shares tips with grandparents on how to successfully do so.

DR MEG & GUEST DR KEN CANFIELD (PART 2)

Continuing their conversation on grandparenting, Dr. Meg and Dr. Canfield discuss generational synchrony - the unique relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. If a grandchild knows how their grandparent met their spouse, where they went to school, what they did for a living, and so forth, it helps with their identity formation and gives them a sense of belonging. Children seem to thrive when they have a generational connection with a grandparent, and grandparents have a special opportunity to teach and help shape their grandkids in a way that could benefit them throughout their lifetime.

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 155, THE HEART OF GRANDPARENTING, and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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Dr. Marty Makary is a New York Times best-selling author, a Johns Hopkins physician and a public health researcher. With over 250 scientific articles published, Dr. Makary was elected to the National Academy of Medicine as Editor-in-Chief of MedPage Today. Listen in as Dr. Makary and Dr. Meeker discuss the pressing issue of vaccination amongst America’s youth. The two share their professional opinions, backed by years of research, to help parents make an educated opinion that’s best for their children.

Dr. Makary and Dr. Meeker share their doctoral perspectives on the covid vaccine as it pertains to children including:

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Dr. Makary explains how a lack of research regarding Covid treatments and protocols has led to political opinions filling in the gap with what research now proves to be misinformation. Both doctors discuss the government’s overreach that poses an ongoing threat to the licenses of medical professionals. Dr. Makary and Dr. Meeker also unpack the research that has been done regarding the psychological effects of this pandemic on children.

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 154, Should Your Child Get the Covid Vaccine?, and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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Dave Ramsey made his first million in his twenties—the wrong way—and then went bankrupt. That’s when he set out to learn the right way of managing money and developed the Ramsey Baby Steps. Following these steps, Dave became a millionaire again—the right way. After three decades of guiding millions of people through the Baby Steps plan, Dave has released his newest book, Baby Steps Millionaires. Join Financial Expert Dave Ramsey and Dr. Meeker in an engaging conversation about finances, not only as it pertains to adults acquiring wealth, but also the importance of teaching children good money habits early on.

Dave Ramsey and Dr. Meg discuss practical insights from Dave’s newest book, Baby Steps Millionaires:

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Dave and Dr. Meg dive deeper into their conversation by discussing the significance of parents teaching their children good money habits early on. As it pertains to kids, Dave covers topics such as money & identity, materialism, contentment, spending/saving, and the importance of making wise purchases.

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 153, Baby Steps Millionaires, and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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We raise our children with the hope of enjoying a unique closeness and intimacy with them all the years of their lives. From the moment they are born, we pour our hearts and souls into them. And as they mature, they have a clear realization that they are fully dependent on us. These two factors draw us together, forming a strong bond. When that bond breaks, the pain burrows deep. The part a parent plays in reconciling with their adult child isn’t for the faint of heart! But parents.. don’t give up! In this episode, Dr. Meeker offers parents a chance to take an honest look at themselves. While providing the difficult keys that parents need to apply to themselves, Dr. Meg also infuses some much-needed “light at the end of the tunnel” hope in the midst of the storm.

Keys:

1.) Acquire humility

2.) Take the first step

3.) Assume all responsibility

4.) Be willing to forgive, without requiring forgiveness from your child

WELCOME

Dr. Meeker jumps right in by answering the question, “Why is the disconnection so painful?” Parents must realize that if they are experiencing pain from the estranged relationship, then their adult child is more than likely feeling pain from the estrangement as well. No matter their age, every child craves their parent’s approval, attention and love. So regardless of how a parent may feel, it is vitally important that they do what they can in moving towards reconciliation - for their own benefit in reconnecting, but even more importantly, for the well-being of their adult child.

Reconciliation is absolutely do-able. Yet, although the process of reconciliation is simple, walking it out may be one of the hardest things a parent may ever have to do. Dr. Meg shares why, and provides thought-provoking keys and necessary action steps, along with powerful insights as to why it is the parent who must begin the reconciliation process.

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What happens if your adult child refuses your attempts of reaching out to them? What is the underlying factor motivating them to do so? They may test you, to see how long you will keep reaching out. How should a parent handle a response of defensiveness, anger or a barrage of painful words? Discover one of the biggest mistakes a parent can make when trying to reconcile with their estranged child, and how to avoid it.

IN CLOSING

Dr. Meeker does a quick recap of the 4 keys a parent needs to apply in the process of reconnecting with their adult child. The process is simple, yet hard; but totally worth it!

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 152, Reconnecting with Your Adult Child, and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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Babies need to be taught human traits early on, and one trait is that humans aren’t created to be nocturnal. Nighttime is for sleeping, and sleep is a learned phenomenon. Most adults don’t wake up and eat in the middle of the night. In the same way, babies don’t (typically) need to eat during the night either. The sooner parents train them not to do so, the sooner everyone will get a better night’s sleep! Join Dr. Meg and sleep expert Dr. Bob Hamilton as he shares multiple proven ways to get your baby to sleep through the night. This will be a win-win for everyone!

Dr. Meeker and Dr. Hamilton share different scenarios on training babies at different ages (newborn - 24 mo) to sleep through the night. If babies sleep less during the day, they will sleep more deeply at night. Also, establishing and sticking to a consistent bedtime routine is key to your baby (and you!) getting a healthy amount of sleep each night. It’s best if breast-feeding mothers don’t allow their baby to fall asleep at the breast. Newborns need to be cognizant from an early age that they are being put in their crib after breast-feeding, and aware that you will be walking out of the room as they fall asleep.

BREAK

Dr. Meg and Dr. Hamilton continue their candid conversation on the best ways to get babies of any age to sleep through the night.

FROM THE PRODUCER

Thanks for listening to Episode 151, Secrets to Training Your Baby to Sleep, and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!

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