In this episode of Parents of the Year, we're getting real about kids, hygiene, and how much of it is your job — and how much might be better left to peer pressure.

From stinky kids turning into fashion divas overnight, to whether you should keep nagging about teeth-brushing, Andrew and Caroline share stories and smart strategies that meet kids where they’re at. 

If you’ve ever wrestled with letting go, setting limits, or just figuring out when to step in, you’ll love this honest take on growing up... and letting them grow up, too. 

Homework Challenge:

• Pick one hygiene habit your child needs to own (e.g., brushing teeth, putting on deodorant, changing clothes).
• Let them choose how they want to take responsibility for it. No nagging — just offer brainstorming support if they want it.
• Try helping them pair the habit with something they already do daily (like peeing = deodorant).
• Hold the boundary if it affects you (e.g., "You can go to school stinking, but if you're watching TV with me, you need to be clean.")

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Would you rather....  a toddler’s meltdown at 30,000 feet or a diaper disaster at Costco? 

This week, Andrew and Caroline get a little personal as they tackle the parenting would-you-rather game that nobody asked for—but everyone secretly needs. From sketchy chopstick translations to deep dives on failure, independence, parenting regrets, and co-parenting with someone you can't stand, this episode mixes honest laughs with real talk about raising kids today... and surviving it yourself.

Listen now — your inner tired parent will thank you. 

Homework Ideas

Think about your parenting “Would You Rather”
Pick 3 “Would You Rather” questions from the episode and talk about them with your partner.

·        Where are you aligned?

·        Where are you totally different?

·        What does it say about your approach to parenting?

Enter their quality world

Choose one activity this week to fully enter your kid’s “quality world” — show up with curiosity for something they love, even if you don’t. 

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Executive functioning—it’s the behind-the-scenes power that keeps us organized, flexible, and in control. But what happens when it doesn’t come naturally?

 In this episode of Parents of the Year, Dr. Anna Levy-Warren joins Andrew and Caroline to break down executive functions in real life—why working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-control matter, and how to support kids (and ourselves) when these skills don’t come easily. 

With humour, personal stories, and practical strategies, they tackle everything from school struggles to emotional regulation and screen time battles. 

Tune in for real talk and actionable tips to make daily life smoother for you and your kids.

Homework Ideas

✅ Reframe how you see executive functioning struggles – Instead of assuming laziness or defiance, remind yourself that your child’s brain may be working at a younger developmental level in certain areas.

✅ Create a visual checklist – Work with your child to break down common routines (e.g., getting ready for school) into a step-by-step chart with pictures or words.

✅ Try a time timer – Use a visual clock to help kids manage time better for tasks like homework or getting ready.

✅ Model and narrate self-regulation – When feeling frustrated, say aloud: “I feel overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a deep breath before I answer.” Show kids how to pause before reacting.

✅ Reduce screen distractions – If your child struggles with focus, try moving devices out of sight during study time and limiting evening screen exposure.

Try:

📌 Post-it Notes & Whiteboard – To help with memory and multi-step tasks.
📌 Calendar System – Try colour-coding family schedules to help kids see upcoming events and responsibilities.
📌 Assistive Tech – Explore apps like “Todoist” for organizing tasks or “Forest” to help limit screen distractions.
📌 Name It to Tame It – Practice labelling emotions to help kids (and yourself) regulate feelings before they escalate.

🎧 Tune in to this episode for more strategies and real-life examples that make a difference!

Resources

Dawson, P., & Guare, R.: Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary Executive Skills Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential 

Mougios, V.: Action Potential: The Secrets of Successful Learners 

Palladino,L: Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers: A Step-by-Step Guide to Balancing Your Child's Use of Technology 

Yeager, M & D: Executive Function and Child Development 

 About Dr. Anna Levy-Warren

Anna Levy-Warren is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Organizational Tutors. With over 20 years of experience in the field of psychology including a PhD in Clinical Psychology, Anna is a leader in the field addressing executive functioning challenges in children and teens. With an expert understanding of diverse learning profiles and first-hand experience as a parent, Anna offers a unique combination of clinical experience and a passion for empowering children and teens to develop skills to excel in all aspects of their lives. Anna regularly speaks to parents and teachers at schools and education-based organizations throughout the country, addressing a wi

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Ever feel like your kid hates you? You’re not alone. 

This episode is a real, funny, and honest conversation about what’s really going on when our kids push us away. 

Andrew and Caroline break down the difference between “I hate peas” and “I hate you,” why your child might unload on you after school, and how parenting through emotional blow-ups is more about connection than control. 

Plus, what’s your role in the tension—and how can you show up differently without losing your mind? 

Homework Ideas

Run a Self-Talk Inventory
For 24 hours, jot down (or record a voice memo) every time you give your child a direction, correction, or piece of feedback. Review at the end of the day:

• How many were positive?
• How many were negative?
• How many were about screens?

Enter Their World
Pick one activity your child enjoys and commit to doing it with them—without trying to teach, improve, or redirect. Just join in. Be curious. Take notes after: 

• What did you learn about them?
• What made them laugh?
• What frustrated them?
• What did they talk about most?

Clarify Expectations, Drop the Power Struggle
Write out one daily expectation you’re tired of repeating. Share it calmly with your child as a “choice”:

“Here’s what needs to happen. You get to choose when/how.”
 Then hold the boundary—without nagging.

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What if you could build a dream community from scratch—one where kids roam freely, neighbours co-parent, schools are reimagined, and baby gates are banned? 

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline go off-script (again), mapping out their not-so-gentle vision of paradise. They talk about core values and whether technology belongs anywhere near a truly connected life. 

Warning: quicksand pits and dumb phones may be involved.

This isn’t about fantasy. It’s about how the small choices we make today shape our kids’ worlds tomorrow.

Homework Ideas:

• Write down your top 3 values for raising kids. Now ask: does your daily life reflect them?
• Take your kids outside for unstructured play. No gear, no agenda. Just nature.
• For one full day, leave your phone behind and track how it changes your attention and connection.

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Parenting trends come and go — gentle parenting, helicopter parenting, lighthouse parenting. But what if all these labels are just distractions? 

In this episode, Andrew and Caroline dive into why chasing parenting fads can pull us further from what really matters: connection, trust, and raising capable humans. They share personal stories (including life lessons from Willy Wonka) and talk about the danger of over-labelling.

Plus, we tackle the billion-dollar industry profiting off parents’ insecurities and explore how to cut through the noise and stay anchored to your own family values.  

Grab your coffee and join us — no labels required.

Homework Ideas:

• Define Your Parenting North Star: Write down 3-5 values that matter most in your family. Pin it somewhere visible. (Example: connection, respect, curiosity, kindness)
• Digital Detox: Take a week off reading any parenting content online (including social media “advice”) and notice how you feel.
• Create a Connection Space: Carve out a “no screens, no agenda” zone in your home —  where you simply exist together.

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Raising independent, capable kids isn’t about giving them the perfect road map—it’s about teaching them how to navigate life’s twists and turns. 

In this episode of Parents of the Year, bestselling author and dad of four, Rob Finlay, joins us to break down the essential life skills kids need before stepping into adulthood. 

From handling failure to managing finances, making decisions, and building strong relationships, we explore the real lessons that set kids up for success. Whether your child is five or fifteen, these practical takeaways will help you guide them toward independence without losing your sanity.

Homework Ideas

✅ Encourage Small, Independent Decisions

• Give kids opportunities to make their own choices—whether it's ordering food at a restaurant, scheduling their own appointments, or planning a small trip.
• Encourage them to keep a simple decision journal to track choices and outcomes.

✅ Normalize Failure & Problem-Solving

• The next time your child makes a mistake, respond with “That sucks! So what’s your plan?” instead of fixing it for them.

✅ Teach Essential Adulting Skills

• Have your child book their own appointments, handle a small budget, or make a grocery list and shop on their own.
• Use budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB to introduce financial responsibility.

✅ Encourage Networking & Social Skills

• Have kids practice introducing themselves to new people, making small talk, or reaching out for opportunities.
• Have them write a short email introducing themselves to a professional in a field they’re interested in and ask for advice.

✅ Practice Hands-On Problem-Solving

• Next time there's a minor household fix, involve your kids in the process. Teach them how to change a tire, check oil levels, or set up a simple budget.

About Rob

Rob is a WSJ bestselling author, accomplished entrepreneur, and dad of four who has been there. His new book, Hey Dad…: Everything You Should've Learned About Life (But Didn't), is a humorous and practical guide to the real-world lessons every young adult needs but few are taught. It’s also a treasure trove of advice for parents trying to help their kids transition into adulthood without losing their minds.

Find Rob:

https://www.heydadbook.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/robjfinlay/

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Have you ever considered how storytelling—whether through writing, conversations, or reflection—can help kids (and adults) process emotions, strengthen relationships, and even reframe painful experiences? 

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline chat with author Kennerly Clay to explore the hidden power of writing and storytelling in emotional regulation. 

They discuss:
 ✔️ How journaling and letter writing can help kids and parents communicate emotions
 ✔️ Why revisiting past experiences can lead to healing and resilience
 ✔️ How to introduce storytelling as a creative tool within your family 

Tune in to learn strategies to make storytelling a powerful emotional tool. 

Homework Ideas 

✅ Activity 1: Start a Parent-Child Journal 

• Find a notebook and establish a routine where your child can write (or draw) their thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
• Let them pass it to you when they want you to respond.
• Goal: Build a safe space for kids to share emotions they may not verbalize.

✅ Activity 2: Reflect on Your Own Childhood
 

• Write about an experience from your childhood that shaped you.
• Then, try to see it from a different perspective—what would your parent’s version of that story be?
• Goal: Gain a deeper understanding of how childhood memories evolve and how they influence your parenting.

✅ Activity 3: Use Storytelling to Teach Emotional Processing
 

• Pick a recent situation where your child was upset.
• Help them retell the event by asking, "What happened first? What were you feeling? What did you learn?"
• Goal: Teach kids that every experience—good or bad—is part of their growing story.

  📌 Recommended Resource:
📚 Emotion Wheel Printout – Helps kids put words to feelings.  https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/emotioncardsbodyoutlines/ 
 
 

About Kenerly 

Kennerly Clay is an accomplished author, senior content strategist, and thought leader specializing in storytelling that resonates. Her memoir, _Letters from East of Nowhere: Daddy’s Words to Live, Drink & Die By_, captures the complexities of familial relationships, addiction, and forgiveness through the lens of personal letters from her father. Winner of the "First Place in Addiction & Recovery Category" award, Kennerly’s work is celebrated for its raw honesty and cathartic exploration of difficult subjects. 

Get in touch 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennerlyclay/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lettersfromeastofnowhere/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lettersfromeastofnowhere 

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How do we teach kids to think critically, appreciate different perspectives, and celebrate the success of others—even when it’s tough?

In Part 2 of this Parents of the Year episode, Andrew and Caroline dig into the essential life skills that shape confident, independent, and emotionally intelligent kids. This week, we’re flipping the conversation—looking at practical ways parents can model the behaviors that help kids thrive in friendships, school, and life.

🎙 What’s inside this episode?

✔️ How to encourage kids to consider different viewpoints
✔️ The power of celebrating others (without feeling left out)
✔️ Why teaching kids to ask for help makes them stronger, not weaker
✔️ Simple ways to model open-minded thinking at home
✔️ A must-try family activity that strengthens self-awareness and resilience

✨ This week’s homework challenge: Help your kids learn to see things from a new angle and celebrate their wins—big and small.

🎧 Tune in now 

Homework Ideas

💡 Your Challenge: Build a Growth-Oriented Mindset at Home

This week, help your kids practice open-minded thinking, problem-solving, and celebrating others. Try these activities:

✅ Perspective Swap – Pick a simple topic (e.g., bedtime rules, screen time, school uniforms) and ask your child to argue for the opposite of their usual opinion. Discuss how it felt to take a different stance.

✅ Daily Gratitude & Celebration – At dinner or bedtime, encourage each family member to share one thing they appreciate about someone else in the family.

✅ Help Request Challenge – Encourage kids to ask for help at least once a day—whether it’s for schoolwork, chores, or emotional support.

✅ Reframe a Disappointment – If your child faces a setback (e.g., not making a sports team), discuss three possible positives from the situation.

✅ Family Feedback Loop – Set a time each week to ask your kids for one thing you could do differently as a parent. Show them that feedback is a gift, not a criticism.

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How do you know if you’ve done a good job as a parent? 

What really matters when it comes to raising kids who believe in themselves, handle challenges, and feel loved? 

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline discuss the small, everyday moments that shape a child’s confidence and resilience. 

📝 What you’ll hear:

✔️ The real reason some kids struggle to believe in themselves (and what to do about it)
✔️ How to make sure kids feel loved—without conditions or expectations
✔️ The surprising impact of nagging, reminders, and well-meaning corrections
✔️ Why teenagers push back against compliments (and how to make them stick)
✔️ The best way to teach kids gratitude, resilience, and self-worth 

And don’t miss the one simple practice that can boost your child’s confidence overnight! 

Listen now!

 Homework Ideas

✅ "Shower of Love" Exercise – Each family member sits in a chair while others walk around them for 2 minutes, saying things they appreciate about them.

✅ Replace Nagging with Confidence-Building – Instead of reminding, start saying: "I know you'll figure it out." Watch what happens.

✅ Model Confidence – Share a personal challenge you faced and how you got through it. 

✅ Create a "Confidence Jar" – Every time they do something hard, add a note inside. Watch it fill up over time.

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