The teenage years are often painted as a turbulent time, but they can also be a powerful period of growth and bonding—if parents are equipped with the right tools. In this eye-opening episode, we’re joined by Jharman Lightner, a master's in Psychological Health Educator, Consultant, andPh.D. candidate in Developmental Psychology. With over 15 years of experience spanning clinical evaluations, research, and counseling, Jharman brings a wealth of insight to the complex journey of raising teens.

Together, we explore:

• How to foster trust and open communication with your teen

• Strategies for deepening emotional connection during a time of independence
• Ways to nurture your child’s confidence while setting healthy boundaries
• The unique mental health challenges faced by adolescents, especially in marginalized communities
• Evidence-based parenting practices to support emotional well-being through adolescence

Whether you're navigating mood swings, social pressures, or questions of identity, Jharman offers compassionate, research-backed advice to help you meet your teen where they are—and guide them toward who they’re becoming.

En este episodio, la doctora Oriel María Siu nos invita areflexionar sobre el impacto que tienen los cuentos de hadas eurocéntricos en la crianza y la construcción de la identidad de niñas y niños. Bajo el tema “Descolonizandolos cuentos de hadas”, exploramos cómo recuperar narrativas propias que dignifiquen nuestras experiencias, celebren la diversidad y empoderen a las infancias desde su cultura y su idioma.

Sobre la Dra. Oriel María Siu

La doctora Oriel María Siu es autora, profesora y conferencista dedicada a la literatura infantil, los estudios chicanos y latinx, y la representación cultural. Su trabajo es una herramienta poderosa para que familias y educadores cuestionen los relatos tradicionales y elijan historias que nutran el espíritude resistencia y belleza en nuestras comunidades.

Más información en su sitio web: https://www.orielmariasiu.com/

Cultivating Confidence with Anita Garcia Morales

What does it truly mean to encourage a child? How does it differ from praise, and why does that difference matter?

In this enlightening episode, host Anita Garcia Morales dives deep into the subtle yet powerful distinction between encouragement and praise — a conversation every parent, caregiver, and educator needs to hear. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in Seattle Public Schools and her work as a Courage & Renewal Facilitator and Positive Discipline Certified Associate, Anita explores how language and intention influence a child’s self-worth, motivation, and resilience.

Through stories, practical strategies, and a lens rooted in equity and social justice, Anita explores how encouragement fosters inner validation, while praise can sometimes inadvertently create external dependency. Listeners will walk away with tangible tools to nurture their children's authentic confidence, support emotional growth, and build stronger, more respectful relationships.

Whether you're raising young children, mentoring teens, or healing your inner child, this episode offers rich insights grounded in both research and lived experience.

https://www.racingtoequity.org/

En este inspirador episodio de Parenting Takes a Village, Rafael Núñez Valera y Selvin Vásquez Montecinos —dos padres latinos comprometidos con la crianza activa— se sientan a conversar sobre la importancia de que los hombres participen en la vida escolar de sus hijos.

Rafael, originario de la Ciudad de México y residente de Seattle desde 1997, es padre de tres hijos y apasionado del golf, la cocina familiar y los momentos compartidos con sus seres queridos. Selvin, cocinero guatemalteco en el restaurante Un Bien, es padre de tres niñas y un firme creyente en el valor de la presencia paterna desde los primeros años de vida.

Juntos reflexionan sobre:

• Cómo la participación de los padres fortalece el desarrollo emocional y académico de los niños.

• La manera en que su involucramiento rompe estereotipos de género y promueve la equidad dentro y fuera del hogar.

• La conexión única que se forma al conocer el entorno escolar, los amigos y las rutinas diarias de sus hijos.

• El poder del ejemplo como herramienta educativa.

• Y cómo su presencia activa puede transformar la relación entre las familias y las escuelas, creando comunidades más inclusivas y solidarias.

Este episodio es una invitación poderosa a repensar el rol masculino en la educación, contada desde las experiencias reales de dos padres que están presentes, comprometidos y orgullosos de ser parte del viaje educativo de sus hijos.

A Conversation on the Beach Naturalist Program with Becky Cooke

In this inspiring episode of Parenting Takes a Village, host [Insert Host Name] welcomes Becky Cooke (she/her), a parent education instructor at Magnolia Cooperative Preschool and a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and community engagement. With a background in occupational therapy and a deep love for nature, Becky shares her journey from working in a traumatic brain injury rehab unit in NYC to becoming a beloved educator and environmental steward in Seattle.

Becky discusses her volunteer work with the Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey Programs, as well as her role as a Salmon Steward for the Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project. She explains how families can foster curiosity, connection, and conservation by engaging with local marine environments — and why tidepooling is more than just a summer activity.

Listeners will gain insights into:

• The importance of outdoor, hands-on learning for children (especially those with sensory needs or neurodivergence)

• How to respectfully explore tidepools and beaches using the principles of beach etiquette

• Seasonal marine life to look for in Puget Sound and how to identify common creatures

• Simple tools to enhance your beach outings, from field guides to loupe magnifiers

• How community science and stewardship can empower families to care for local ecosystems

Becky’s OT lens and infectious enthusiasm for nature will inspire listeners to slow down, look closer, and maybe even send her pictures of mushrooms. Whether you’re a lifelong Pacific Northwesterner or new to the region, this episode will equip you with the tools and curiosity to become your child’s first nature guide.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Seattle Aquarium Field Guides:

  • FieldGuide2019-English.pdf

  • FieldGuide2014-English-Spanish2.pdf

• Guía de campo de la playa de Puget Sound (Beach-Guide-2022.pdf)

• Beach Etiquette Recommendations (BeachEtiquette_Feb2021_english.pdf)

• Kid-friendly Books:

  • What Do You Find in a Tide Pool? by Megan Koop

  • Tidepools: National Geographic Readers

  • In One Tidepool by Anthony Fredericks

  • Let's Explore the Beach by Karen DeWitt

  • Fylling’s Illustrated Guide to Pacific Coast Tidepools by Marni Fylling

  • Whelks to Whales by Rick M. Harbo

• Tools: Loupe Magnifier (for closer looks at tidepool treasures)

Pro tip from Becky: “Play outside, explore with care, and don’t forget to ask your kids what they notice — their perspective might surprise you.”

Reconnecting with Wonder featuring Khavin Debbs

In this heartwarming episode of Parenting Takes a Village, we step outside—literally—and explore the transformative power of outdoor play with children. Our guest, Khavin Debbs, shares how nature has always been more than a backdrop—it’s been a lifeline, a classroom, and a source of deep joy.

From his childhood days in Sacramento spent meditating and playing in his parents’ yard to his time as a Tiny Trees Outdoor Preschool preschool teacher, Khavin’s connection to nature runs deep. Now an adjunct professor at the University of Washington and North Seattle College, Khavin blends education, environmentalism, and play to inspire a new generation. “It’s a marriage of everything I’ve ever wanted to do. It is awesome,” he says.

Khavin's impressive journey includes roles as a rock climbing instructor, preschool educator, and advocate for environmental education. He is currently pursuing his Ed.D in Education at Antioch University Seattle, where he also earned his degree in Urban Environmental Education. His work embodies the belief that outdoor play is not only beneficial—it's essential for children's development and well-being.

In this episode, Khavin offers practical ideas and heartfelt encouragement for parents and caregivers looking to deepen their children's relationship with the natural world—whether in a forest or a backyard.

Explore the resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dycuflon.com – Innovative French outdoor gear for kids

• Facebook Marketplace – Great finds for outdoor play equipment

• Affortabup – Affordable gear and resources for families

• Children & Nature Network – Research and tools to connect children with nature

• The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)

• WYAP (Washington Youth Academy Program) – Youth development and education

• E3 Washington – Environmental education and equity in Washington State

Khavin's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sankofaoutdoors/?hl=en

En este episodio de Parenting Takes a Village,exploramos la poderosa diferencia entre animar y alabar en la crianza. ¿Cómo influye cada enfoque en la autoestima, la autonomía y la resiliencia de los niños? Junto a nuestra invitada, Paulina, profundizamos en cómo el aliento fomenta la confianza interna y la motivación intrínseca, mientras que laalabanza puede generar dependencia de la aprobación externa.

Paulina Cuevas es chilenay una ciudadana del mundo, con más de 20 años de experiencia apoyando a familias, estudiantes y educadores en Chile, China y Estados Unidos. Como entrenadora líder de Disciplina Positiva, consejera escolar licenciada y especialista en desarrollo socio emocional, yoga y mindfulness, nos comparte estrategias prácticas basadas en la neurociencia y la justicia social para fortalecer la conexión con nuestros hijos.

Además, recomendamos recursos valiosos para seguir explorando este tema:

El nido evolucionario, un libro que aborda la crianza desde unaperspectiva de apego y desarrollo. The Evolved Nest: Nature's Way of Raising Children and Creating Connected Communities de Darcia Narvaez y G. A. Bradshaw.

Simplicity Parenting Podcast, con herramientas para una crianza más consciente y equilibrada.

Marisa Moya, experta en disciplina positivaen España, cuyo enfoque ofrece estrategias clave para fomentar el desarrollo saludable de los niños.

¡Acompáñanos en esta conversación llena de reflexiones y estrategias prácticas para criar niños seguros y resilientes!

El libro The Evolved Nest: Nature's Way of Raising Children and Creating Connected Communities de Darcia Narvaez, PhD, y G. A. Bradshaw, PhD, no está disponible actualmente en español.Sin embargo, hay recursos relacionados disponibles en español. Por ejemplo, la iniciativa The Evolved Nestofrece materiales en español, incluyendo una colección de películas y otros recursos sobre crianza y cuidado inspirado en modelos naturales. Además, el libro Restoring the KinshipWorldview de Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows) y Darcia Narváez PhD está disponible en español, ofreciendo perspectivas sobre prácticas de crianza. Estos materiales pueden ofrecer valiosas perspectivas alineadas con los temas de The Evolved Nest.

Welcome to Parenting Takes a Village with Tania, the podcast where we explore how we can support children and families through early education, community connection, and expert insight. I’m your host, Tania, and today we’re diving into a critical issue in early childhood education—preschool expulsions.

Did you know that young children, especially Black boys and children with high rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), are disproportionately suspended or expelled from early learning programs? Today, we’ll discuss what’s behind this issue and how BrightSpark Early Learning Services is working to change the system with its Expulsion Prevention Partnership.

Joining us are two experts from BrightSpark:

Maggie Heard – Maggie is the Family Navigation Lead at BrightSpark Early Learning Services and has been working in early childhood education since 2017. Her experience in a variety of child care settings has fueled her passion for making high-quality early learning accessible to families from all backgrounds. At BrightSpark, she supports child care subsidy programs and helps families navigate the subsidy system.

Michael Kasprzak – Mike is the Internal Professional Development Coordinator for BrightSpark and co-chair of the agency’s Expulsion Prevention Partnership. Over his 17 years with BrightSpark, he has served as an early learning coach and coach supervisor. He is deeply committed to BrightSpark’s mission “to nurture and sustain child-centered, antiracist early learning communities.”

Together, we’ll explore why early childhood suspensions and expulsions happen, how they impact children and families, and the proactive steps BrightSpark is taking to prevent them.

To learn more about BrightSpark and their work, visit brightspark.org.

Tania habla con Lea Evans del tema : Criando Niños/es Bilingües.

¡Bienvenidos de nuevo a Parenting Takes a Village! Hoy exploramos un tema muy cercano a mi corazón: la crianza de niños bilingües. Ya sea que desees transmitir tu lengua heredada, abrir puertas a nuevas culturas o simplemente brindarles a tus hijos el regalo del multilingüismo, este episodio es para ti.

Me acompaña Lea Evans, Educadora de Padres en North Seattle College, con una formación en lingüística aplicada—el estudio del lenguaje y cómo lo aprendemos. Lea ha enseñado tanto inglés como español, ha trabajado en asesoría universitaria y tiene una conexión profunda con el bilingüismo. En su familia, el español se saltó una generación, por lo que en su adolescencia sintió el llamado de recuperarlo, viendo el lenguaje como un puente hacia su familia, su cultura y una visión más amplia del mundo. Ahora, está transmitiendo esa conexión a su propio hijo, quien asistió a la cooperativa preescolar en español PCPE y ahora estudia en un programa de inmersión dual.

En nuestra conversación, Lea comparte su conocimiento tanto desde la experiencia profesional como personal: cómo el idioma moldea la identidad, los retos y las alegrías de criar a un niño bilingüe y consejos prácticos para las familias que emprenden este camino. También hablamos de su trabajo apoyando clases de preescolar cooperativo, incluyendo una en español, y por qué la exposición temprana y el apoyo comunitario son claves en el aprendizaje de un idioma.

Así que, ya seas parte de una familia multilingüe, estés comenzando a introducir un segundo idioma o simplemente sientas curiosidad por los beneficios del bilingüismo, no te querrás perder esta conversación.

Recursos:

https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/nbcuniversal-telemundo-39-dfw/descifrando-la-ciencia/bilinguismo-la-importancia-de-hablar-dos-idiomas/c7c3fe73-aee2-4155-8801-887d57e49366?country=US (podcast en español)

https://www.healthychildren.org/Spanish/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Paginas/7-myths-facts-bilingual-children-learning-language.aspx (artículo en español)

https://www.nytimes.com/es/2016/03/18/espanol/ser-multilingue-no-solo-mejora-las-habilidades-cognitivas-sino-tambien-las-sociales.html (artículo en español)

https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/sdmc-21/125968716 (inglés - 2022 literature review of cognitive benefits)

Welcome back to Parenting Takes a VillagI'mwe'reI'mI'mwe'reI'mwe'reI'mI'mwe're, the podcast where we explore how we support and nurture our children—and ourselves—through the ever-evolving parenting journey. I'm your host, Tania. Today, we're diving into a deeply personal and profoundly impactful topic: raising children beyond the gender binary.

Parenting is full of choices—how we guide, nurture, and support our children in becoming their most authentic selves. But what does it look like to raise children in a way that frees them from rigid gender expectations? How can we, as parents and caregivers, create an environment where kids feel safe to explore their identities on their terms? To help us explore these questions, Erin Sara DiPeso joins me in exploring these questions. Erin is a nanny, teacher, and stay-at-home parent of three. With a background in positive discipline, non-violent communication, and child development—not to mention an unexpected love of ornithology—Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to this conversation. As part of the LGBTQ community, Erin has chosen to raise all three of their children with a gender-neutral approach, allowing them the space and freedom to define who they are.

In this episode, we'll talk about what it means to raise children outside traditional gender roles, the challenges and joys of this parenting approach, and what we can all learn from creating more inclusive spaces for kids to grow and thrive.

So, whether you're a parent, educator, or someone who wants to better understand gender-inclusive Parenting, this conversation is for you.

https://www.northseattlecoops.org/