What does it mean to be a confident parent—when none of us really know what we’re doing? 

In this episode, Andrew and Caroline get candid about real-life parenting moments, what it takes to make good decisions in the chaos, and how to anchor parenting choices to your values—not social media. 

They explore what confidence actually looks like, how to stay grounded when things don’t go to plan, and why reconnecting to who you are outside of parenting is one of the best gifts you can give your kids. This is for every parent who’s ever second-guessed themselves, googled too many things, or just needed to hear, “You're doing okay.” 

Homework Ideas 

✅ Create a Parenting Mission Statement
Clarify your values and goals as a parent and create a mission statement to guide your parenting. Are your daily decisions aligning with those? 

Here are some prompts to think about to help you get started. 

• What 3 values do I want to guide my parenting decisions? 
• What kind of human do I hope my child becomes? (e.g., kind, resilient, independent) 
• What are 1–2 red lines (non-negotiables) in our home? 
• What daily decisions or routines can I shift to better reflect these values? 
• How do I want my child to describe me when they grow up? 

If you haven't listened to our very first episode, What is your philosophy as a parent?, be sure to check it out for more ideas!

✅ Reflection Journal Prompt
End the day with these questions: 

• What felt good in my parenting today?
• What felt hard?
• How did I handle a moment of conflict or frustration? 
• What did I learn?
• What do I want to try again—or differently—tomorrow?
•  How did I stay connected to my values this week? 

✅ Family Check-In Plan
If you implement a new plan (e.g., re: screens, curfews, etc.), start a weekly check-in to review how it’s going. Set clear expectations together, and stick to the plan calmly—not in the heat of the moment.
 

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What happens when your kid’s wild night out turns into a parent’s unexpected moment of pride? 

In this episode of Parents of the Year, we dig into something deep: What happens to our identity as parents when the kids start growing up and heading out? 

We talk about losing ourselves in parenting, struggling to find hobbies again, and the messy, honest journey of reclaiming who we are outside of being “Mom” or “Dad.” Real stories, real laughs, and some hard-hitting questions about what comes after the parenting hustle. 

Homework Ideas 

Journal Prompts:

•  What parts of “me” have gone quiet, were left behind or put on hold in the parenting years? What would it look like to bring some of those back? 
• When do I feel most like myself?
• What activities or hobbies used to bring me joy before parenting
• What are things I would love to try?
• What have I always said I’d do ‘when I had more time’?
• What do I want the next few years to look and feel like, just for me? 

Couple Chat: With your partner, pick one of the following (or other ideas you have!) then commit to one small thing to try again in the next month. 

•  What (3 things) did we used to love doing together?
• What do we miss (and want to bring back)?
• What’s something new we’ve always talked about trying?

Create a "Next Chapter" Bucket List: Write out 10 things you want to do, learn, or explore for yourself as the kids become more independent. These don’t have to be big—they just have to matter to you. 

Values Check-In: Highlight the 3-5 values that feel most important to you right now. Then write HOW you could live each value more fully. Examples include
 - Connection
 - Growth
 - Adventure
 - Creativity
 - Peace
 - Wellness
 - Contribution
 - Curiosity
 - Fun
 - Autonomy 

Create Your Plan: Using what you’ve written above, fill this in:
  This month, I will…
 This week, I will…
 Today, I can… 

·

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Helping Kids Follow Through—Without Nagging or Fighting

It’s one thing to want kids to take initiative—getting their learner’s permit, challenging an unfair grade, picking up a new skill—but it’s a whole other thing when our "help" just gets ignored (or explodes into a full meltdown).

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Caroline and Andrew share stories and practical strategies to help kids tackle challenges without pushing them away. From setting goals to managing anxiety around tests, we share ways to guide your kids without nagging, lectures, or power struggles.

Tune in for:

·        How to set a goal without it backfiring

·        Why open-ended questions are your secret weapon

·        When (and how) to offer advice without triggering shutdowns

·        Helping anxious kids build confidence, one step at a time

·        Why letting kids own the “how” makes all the difference

Listen now and find out how to stay connected — even when your kids resist every suggestion you make!

Homework Ideas

Practice Open-Ended Questions
Instead of giving advice, try asking:

• “What’s your plan for getting ready for the test?”
• “How did you get good at ____? What could you borrow from that?”
• “What kind of support would be helpful?”

Set a Gentle Deadline
Collaboratively pick a realistic date (e.g., for a test, learner’s permit, etc.). Ask if they want help working backward to create a plan — but only if they want it.

Watch and Wait
After offering support, step back. Let them come back to you when they're ready — even if it's hard!

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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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