Parenting Understood

In this last episode of our back to school series, we speak about starting a new school from the perspectives of parent and child. We draw on our own personal experiences, as well as research in this conversation. We pay special attention to the role of social capital in the transition to a new school year. We also speak on best practices for speaking with our children about how their day went and what they have learned beyond just asking "How was school today?".

Welcome to the 100th episode of Parenting Understood! We are beyond excited and incredibly grateful for our amazing community of listeners who have supported us throughout this journey.

For this special milestone, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Robyn Koslwitz, educational director of the Targeted Parenting Institute, about parenting post-trauma. This episode holds dear as we have recently experienced parenting post-trauma, and we are dedicated to supporting others in similar situations.

We want to take a moment to thank you all for joining us on this incredible journey. Your continued support and engagement inspire us to keep creating valuable content for parents everywhere. In our upcoming 101st episode, we kick off our new series on preparing children for back to school. Then, in the 102nd episode, we'll take a moment to reflect on the insightful conversations we've had in the past 101 episodes. Here's to many more episodes of Parenting Understood! Stay tuned and keep parenting with informed knowledge.

In this episode, we are thrilled to speak with Michael Perry, entrepreneur, devoted father of two young boys, and creator of a family organizational app called Maple. Michael speaks to us about his journey of building Maple, an app designed to help parents manage their busy lives more effectively. Michael opens up about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood and how fatherhood completely transformed his sense of purpose. We discuss the overwhelming nature of parenting, which stems from the increasing demands of modern life and the lack of organizational tools catered specifically to parents. Throughout the conversation, Michael emphasizes the importance of taking care of ourselves and finding a balance between work, family, and personal well-being. Join us for an inspiring and candid conversation about parenting, entrepreneurship, and the quest for a better family-life balance!

To learn more about Maple, you can visit https://www.growmaple.com/ or follow on Instagram @growmaple or download Maple through your phone's app store. To contact Michael, please email [email protected]

To learn more about Cooper, please visit https://yourcooper.com/

In this week's episode we speak with Dr. Bamgbose, a reproductive psychiatrist, about the impacts of hormones on women's mental health across the lifespan. Dr Bamgbose highlights the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and postpartum depression, and seeking professional help if they occur. She also discusses the benefits of medication and therapy for managing mood disorders, as well as the importance of lifestyle changes, such as exercise and sleep hygiene.

In addition to discussing the impact of hormones on mental health, she addresses psychedelics and their potential benefits for women's mental health. She notes that there is some research to suggest that psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, can be effective in treating mood disorders, anxiety, and PTSD. However, she cautions that more research is needed in this area, and that psychedelics should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a mood disorder, it is important to seek professional help. A qualified healthcare provider can assess your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment for you.

Some additional resources:

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org

• The American Psychiatric Association: https://www.psychiatry.org

• The National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov

To learn more about Dr Bamgbose please visit:

https://mindfulhealthsolutions.com/experts/sinmi-bamgbose-md/

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Dana Winters of the Fred Rogers Institute about supporting children in the development of empathy. More specifically, she speaks about the "simple interaction" approach. This approach focuses on four key dimensions of interaction: connection, reciprocity, inclusion, and purpose. It can be used in any setting, from the home to the classroom. By focusing on these four key dimensions, adults can help children develop empathy and build positive relationships. Dr Winters speaks further about specific examples of how to use the simple interaction approach with children. We also discuss additional ways to teach children empathy, including reading children specific books about empathy.

To learn more about Dr. Winters and the Fred Rogers Institute, please visit fredrogersonstitute.org.

If you would like to learn more about the Time Timer, please visit

Time Timer: https://bit.ly/3KmWMEa

Today we are thrilled to be joined by Ali Star Locke and John Patrick Nelson of the podcast Sensory Overload. Ali and John share their story regarding how they began their podcast, after having a child on the spectrum. We hope that you join us to learn more about Sensory Overload and some of the helpful resources for being a parent to a child on the spectrum.

To visit our new website, please visit Parentingunderstood.com

If you would like to learn more about the Time Timer, please visit

Time Timer: https://bit.ly/3KmWMEa

Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Yishan Xu as she discusses the various ways sleep changes throughout life and how to tackle sleep issues in adults with a focus on parents.

Dr. Xu speaks to the potential pitfalls of relying on sleep medication, and the power of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) as a first-line treatment.

We also speak with Dr. Xu about gender differences in sleep, from hormonal shifts in women to sleep disorders in men. Further, we take a look at some common sleep myths and take a look at the digital age's influence on sleep disorders. Dr. Xu provides insight into the detrimental effects of excessive screen time before bed and the simple steps you can take to improve sleep hygiene.

Get ready to crack the sleep code and unlock the path to sweet dreams and optimal well-being. Tune in now to revolutionize your relationship with sleep!

To learn more about Parenting Understood, please visit our brand new webpage here or by visiting www.parentingunderstood.com

To learn more about Dr. Yishan Xu's work, you can visit her website at mindbodygarden.com or by listening to her podcast, Deep into Sleep.

To get 10% off Dr. Yishan Xu's CBTI course, you can visit https://www.mindbodygarden.com/course and use the code "parentingunderstood"

To purchase a Time Timer, please visit the link here or by clicking https://bit.ly/3KmWMEa

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Jeanne Donaldson to speak with her on the topic of behavior basics and creating a foundation of a warm, loving, safe, nurturing environment in our homes. We take on a variety of topics including establishing the foundations of sleep, nutrition, movement, safety, parental attention, and building and supporting independence through choice making. With all of the information out online and on social media, we wanted to take a moment to do an episode where we sift through it all and look at the evidence based basics. We hope you enjoy it!

To learn more about Michelle's Q&A membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG

To learn more about Dr. Donaldson, you can visit her website at https://www.lsu.edu/hss/psychology/faculty/school/donaldson.php or by email at [email protected]

In this episode of "Parenting Understood," we welcome Sara Petersen, who has been challenging the perception of motherhood influenced by media and social media. Sara shares her journey as a writer, inspired by her experiences as a mother and her evolving understanding of feminism. She explains how motherhood ignited her feminism and made her question the idealized version of motherhood portrayed in the media.

The conversation delves into the complexities of maternal identity and the weight it carries compared to paternal identity. We highlight the feelings of intellectual starvation, claustrophobia, and the struggle to maintain autonomy in motherhood as well as delve further into the impact of social media on motherhood. We also examine the psychological impact of social media, including downward and upward comparison theories.

You can learn more about Sara through her book, Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture, and by following her on Twitter and Instagram @slouisepetersen

In this episode, we speak with Renee Reina, psychologist and host of the renowned podcast, The Mom Room. Renne delves into the fascinating world of parenting fears, drawing from her extensive social media and podcast presence. She provides insights, empathy, and practical advice around parenting, and discusses the importance of authenticity on social media. Renne emphasizes the importance of finding one's true voice amidst digital noise and cultivating a genuine online presence. We end by highlighting the power of seeking multiple viewpoints and embracing diverse perspectives to foster a well-rounded understanding of oneself as a parent.

You can learn more about Renee Reina by listening to her podcast, The Mom Room, and following her on Instagram @thereneereina