When Is It Okay for Kids to Lie? A Parent's Guide to Honesty, Friendship, and Boundaries

As parents, we tell our kids to be honest. Then one day they use us as the excuse to get out of plans with friends.

So what happens when honesty feels harder than a harmless excuse?

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline tackle a surprisingly complicated parenting question: Is it ever okay to teach kids to lie?

The conversation starts with a teenage daughter blaming "strict mom" to avoid a social outing and quickly turns into a bigger discussion about friendships, people-pleasing, social pressure, and why some kids feel the need to avoid telling the truth.

Andrew and Dr. Caroline share personal stories, parenting mistakes, and real-life examples while exploring:

• The difference between protecting yourself and protecting someone else's feelings
• How parents unintentionally model social avoidance
• When "little white lies" become a warning sign
• Helping teens recognize friendships that leave them feeling exhausted
• Teaching children how to identify healthy relationships
• Why honesty isn't always as simple as it sounds

If you've ever wondered whether your child is avoiding conflict, struggling with friendships, or having trouble setting boundaries, this episode offers practical conversations you can start today.

Listen now and discover how teaching honesty sometimes starts with helping kids understand themselves first.

Activity 1: Friendship Energy Audit

Draw a circle with lines extending outward like a wheel.

For each friend, rate them from 0-10 on:

• Trust
• Fun
• Kindness
• Reliability
• Shared Interests
• Feeling Accepted
• Feeling Drained After Spending Time Together

Discuss:

• Which friendships score highest?
• Which friendships leave you exhausted?
• Which friendships make you excited to make plans?

Activity 2: The "Why Am I Avoiding This?" Conversation

If your child wants to cancel plans:

Ask:

• What are you hoping to avoid?
• What are you worried might happen?
• Do you usually enjoy time with this person?
• Is this about being tired or about the relationship itself?

Activity 3: Honesty vs Kindness Scenarios

Review situations together:

• A friend gets a haircut you dislike.
• Someone invites you somewhere you don't want to go.
• A friend asks for your opinion on something you dislike.

Discuss:

• What is truthful?
• What is kind?
• Can both exist at the same time?

Activity 4: Relationship Non-Negotiables List

Ask your teen to identify:

• 5 qualities they want in close friends.
• 3 behaviours they won't accept.

Examples:

• Respect
• Loyalty
• Trustworthiness
• Inclusion
• Accountability

Activity 5: Spot the Pattern

Track social activities for two weeks.

After each outing, rate:

• Excitement before (1-10)
• Enjoyment during (1-10)
• Mood after (1-10)

Review patterns together.

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Somewhere along the way, a lot of parenting shifted from leading to negotiating. We talk our kids into things, trade screen time for cooperation, and let the daily battles get decided by whoever has more energy that night usually not us.

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline dig into a quieter shift happening in a lot of homes: the slow handover of parental authority. Sleep, screens, food, and movement are where it shows up most plainly but the real question underneath every “just one more video” isn't about screens at all. It's about who's in charge, and what happens to kids when the answer gets fuzzy.

Drawing on their own experience raising ADHD kids, in Part 2 of their Reclaiming
Parental Authority series, they continue to talk about why setting clear expectations and holding them through the pushback is one of the most loving things a parent can do, and why giving in to keep the peace often reinforces the very behaviour were trying to change.

In this episode, they focus on lifestyle specifically, including nutrition, physical activity, and sleep. You'll hear practical ideas for setting boundaries without becoming authoritarian, reducing power struggles around food, creating healthier sleep habits, and helping children develop routines that can serve them well into adulthood.

Listen now and discover how a few consistent decisions today can shape your child's future for years to come.

Homework Ideas to Rebuilt Authority in the Lifestyle Arena

Notice where you negotiate
For three days, jot down moments you catch yourself bargaining instead of deciding.
Just notice the pattern.

Pick one boundary and hold it through the pushback
Choose something small. Expect the escalation. Follow through anyway. The boundary
isn't the point; staying steady when they test it is.

Separate the feeling from the decision
Practice validating how your child feels ("I know you're frustrated") while keeping the decision unchanged. Both can be true.

Name your non-negotiables
Write down the three or four things in your home that simply aren't up for negotiation.
Clarity for you makes consistency possible. Choose one non-negotiable family habit to focus on for the next two weeks and follow through.

Examples:

• No devices in bedrooms
• Daily outdoor activity
• Vegetables with every dinner
• Consistent bedtime

Audit Your Home Environment
Look around your home and identify what makes healthy choices easy or difficult.

Ask yourself:

• What snacks are visible and accessible?
• Are screens available in bedrooms?
• Is physical activity encouraged daily?

Identify one small step you can make this week to promote a healthier habit in your family.

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Are Parents Losing Authority? Why Respect at Home Is Breaking Down

Why are so many parents feeling ignored, dismissed, or completely powerless with their kids?

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline tackle the growing culture of disrespect happening at home, at school, online, and across society. From kindergarten graduation fights between parents to teens brushing off rules without a second thought, they unpack what changed and what families can do about it.

This conversation digs into gentle parenting gone too far, the pressure parents face from social media, and why so many adults are scared to set firm boundaries. Andrew and Caroline share personal stories about raising teens, handling screen time, teaching respect, building family culture, and helping kids care about the opinions of the people who love them most.

They also talk about:

• Why consequences matter
• How over-negotiating weakens authority
• The difference between compassion and permissiveness
• Why kids still need non-negotiables
• How TV, social media, and peers shape behaviour
• Teaching respect through everyday moments
• Why kids secretly want boundaries, even when they push back

This episode is honest, funny, uncomfortable at times, and packed with practical parenting conversations every family should be having right now.

If you’ve ever thought:
“Why doesn’t my child listen anymore?” or
“Why does everything turn into a battle?”

this episode is for you.

Homework Ideas

Create One Non-Negotiable Rule
Pick one household issue causing daily friction:
•phones at bedtime
•rude language
•chores
•dinner routines
Collaboratively make a plan and write:
•the rule
•why it matters
•the consequence if ignored
Keep it simple and consistent for one full week.

Practice “Broken Record Parenting”
When your child argues:
•stay calm
•repeat the rule
•avoid long explanations
Example:  “The phone stays downstairs at night.”  Repeat calmly instead of debating.

Family Contribution Audit
Ask:  “What does it take to make this house run every week?”
Make a list together:
•laundry
•dishes
•pet care
•rides
•groceries
Assign one meaningful responsibility to each child. Set aside time to do chores together and make it fun!

Teach Respect Through Real-Life Practice
Use real moments:
•ordering food
•speaking to cashiers
•apologizing
•handling frustration
Coach kids before and after interactions.

Schedule One “Just for Fun” Parent-Child Activity
Play cards, go for ice cream, garden, drive somewhere together, watch a movie, shoot hoops — whatever fits your family.
The goal:  Connection without pressure.

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Why Do Some Parents Actually Enjoy Parenting More Than Others?

Why do some families seem genuinely connected, even during busy seasons, while others feel like they’re running a constant relay race of chores, sports, and stress?

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline talk about the simple moments that shape strong family relationships long after childhood ends. From late-night talks and Sunday dinners to grocery store runs, family group chats, funny memes, and spontaneous golf outings, this conversation explores how connection is built in everyday life rather than expensive activities or perfect parenting.

They also unpack research showing dads often report having more fun parenting than moms, and why modern family life can leave many parents feeling emotionally drained instead of connected.

You’ll hear honest stories about raising teens, creating family rituals, protecting time together, balancing rules with warmth, and finding ways to stay close as kids grow into adults.

This episode is for parents who want more laughter at home, stronger bonds with their children, and practical ways to create family memories without adding more pressure to an already full schedule.

If you enjoyed this conversation, listen to our previous episode on having more fun with your kids and creating meaningful family moments.

Homework Ideas
Create One Weekly Family Ritual
Ideas:
•Sunday dinner
•Movie night
•Board game night
•Evening walk
•Monthly breakfast date

Start a Family Group Chat
Use it for:
•funny memes
•photos
•quick check-ins
•music recommendations
•inside jokes

Invite Your Child Into Everyday Tasks
Take them along for:
•grocery runs
•coffee trips
•errands
•cooking
•dog walks
Goal: connection without pressure.

Leave Small Notes
Write:
•encouragement
•funny jokes
•memories
•“thinking of you” notes
Put them:
•on mirrors
•lunch bags
•pillows
•bathroom counters

Add Music Into Chores
Create:
•cleanup playlists
•car playlists
•family throwback songs

Turn ordinary moments into shared memories.
Schedule One-on-One Time
One child. One parent. No agenda.
Ideas:
•driving range
•bookstore
•coffee
•skating
•quick drive
Even 30 minutes matters.

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

This week on Parents of the Year, Dr. Caroline and Andrew are joined by their youngest daughter  Willow for one of their most honest conversations yet.

From social media stress to family rules that actually work, this episode pulls back the curtain on life with teens. Willow shares why she is now grateful she did not grow up with unrestricted social media, what she sees happening with friends online, and why consistency matters more than punishment.

They talk about:

• why many teens feel overwhelmed by Snapchat and social pressure
• how trust changes the way kids communicate with parents
• the difference between boundaries and control
• why nagging shuts kids down
• how respectful conversations build honesty
• why sleep, phones, and mental health are tightly connected
• how parents can hold firm limits without turning the house into a battlefield

One of the most powerful moments comes when Willow talks about knowing the rules AND the reasons behind them.  

If you are raising teens or preparing for those years, this episode offers practical ideas, humour, and a refreshing look at what healthy family relationships can sound like.

Homework Ideas
Replace Commands With Questions
Instead of: “Go do your chores.” 
Try: “What’s your plan for getting your chores done today?”
Doing so helps teens feel ownership instead of pressure.
Keep a sticky note on the fridge with three reminder questions:
•What’s the plan?
•When are you thinking of doing it?
•Do you need help getting started?

Create One Non-Negotiable Phone Boundary
Pick one consistent rule. For example:
•phones downstairs at night
•no devices during meals
•no phones in bedrooms after a certain time
Outline consequences for following or not following the rule and stick with it. Consistency lowers arguments.

Explain the “Why” Behind Rules
Spend 10 minutes talking about one family boundary and the reason behind it. Teens respond best when rules feel reasonable and predictable. Write family agreements together on paper instead of only giving verbal instructions.

Practice Calm Corrections
When something is not done perfectly, pause before pointing it out immediately. Instead of: “You missed a spot.” Try: “Thanks for getting started on this.” You get more of whatever you pay attention to, so focus on what they are doing right to get more of that. ;) This approach also reduces defensiveness and helps teens stay engaged.

Ask About Online Stress Without Judgement
Ask your teen questions about online use with curiosity. Keep calm and don't try to change or fix anything, show genuine interest in what they have to say. 
•Does social media ever make school harder?
•Do people feel pressure to respond quickly?
•What causes the most drama online?
Keeps conversations open without turning them into lectures. Consider going on a walk or drive instead of face-to-face conversation.  

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline tackles a concern many are facing right now: how do you raise children who enjoy reading when screens compete for every second of attention?

From bedtime stories and graphic novels to hockey intermissions with a book in hand, Andrew and Dr. Caroline share what worked in their own home raising readers. They talk honestly about screen dependency, why family reading habits matter, and how creating a calm reading space can change the rhythm of family life.

You’ll hear practical ideas for children with ADHD, reluctant readers, teens who would rather scroll than sit with a book, and parents who struggle to model reading themselves. They also unpack why fiction builds empathy, why reading aloud still matters, and why “30 minutes a day” can make a massive difference in language development and emotional growth.

This episode is packed with real stories, sharp humour, parenting truth bombs, and simple strategies families can start using tonight.

Topics covered:

• Helping kids enjoy reading without forcing it
• Graphic novels, comics, and ADHD-friendly reading
• Screen time and attention spans
• Why family reading routines matter
• Reading spaces that kids actually want to use
• How reading supports empathy, vocabulary, creativity, and emotional regulation
• Why parents need to model reading too

If your child says books are “boring,” this episode is for you.

Homework Activities for Adults Supporting Children & Teens

1. Create a Family Reading Window
Pick the same 30-minute block every evening where everyone reads adults included. No TV. No phones.
Resources needed:
•Physical books, comics, magazines, or graphic novels
•Cozy seating
•Lamp or reading light
•Basket for devices outside the room

2. Build a Reading Space Together
Let kids help create the reading area with blankets, beanbags, pillows, shelves, or music.

3. Pair Books with Entertainment
Read the book first, then watch the movie adaptation together.
Ideas mentioned in spirit during the episode:
•Harry Potter
•Graphic novels turned into films
•Hockey biographies for sports-loving kids

4. Start a “Commercial Break Reading” Habit
Keep a book nearby during sports games or TV time. Read during commercials or breaks.

5. Replace One Hour of Weekend Screen Time
Choose one block on weekends where phones and tablets are off-limits.
Use the time for:
•Reading
•Listening to audiobooks
•Reading aloud
•Family storytelling

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Dr. Caroline and her husband pull back the curtain on the chaos, comedy, frustration, and heart behind parenting in an ADHD household.

From forgotten conversations and missed instructions to emotional overwhelm, impulsive comments, and the endless “Did you take your meds today?” jokes, this episode hits the realities many families live every day but rarely talk about out loud.

They share honest stories about:

The emotional shift after diagnosis

Why medication changed their daughter’s confidence

What “checking out” actually looks like in ADHD brains

How open-ended questions work better than constant reminders

The hidden exhaustion ADHD kids carry from years of correction and criticism

Marriage dynamics when one partner’s brain works very differently

There’s humor throughout, with vacuum cleaners abandoned in car trunks, disappearing attention spans, and entire family conversations happening in three different timelines, but underneath it is a real conversation about patience, support, and learning how to parent the child in front of you instead of the one you expected.

This episode is for parents raising ADHD children, couples navigating neurodiverse relationships, teachers, caregivers, and anyone trying to better understand how ADHD affects family life.

Homework Activities for Parents & Caregivers

1. Replace Commands With Open-Ended Questions
Instead of: “Go clean your room.”
Try: “What’s your plan for cleaning your room today?”
Why it helps:
It forces the child to mentally rehearse the task instead of letting the instruction disappear.

2. Watch for “Mental Checkout”
Practice recognizing the moment attention disappears instead of repeating yourself louder.
Signs:
• blank stare
• delayed response
• random unrelated comments
• frozen body language
Homework:
Pause. Reconnect. Ask one short question instead of repeating the entire instruction.

3. Reduce Negative Corrections
Track how many times you redirect or criticize in one day.
Goal:
Add more positive observations than corrections.
Examples:
• “I noticed you remembered that.”
• “Thanks for coming back and fixing it.”
• “Good catch.”

4. Create “External Memory Systems”
ADHD brains struggle holding multiple steps internally.
Homework:
Build external systems:
• phone reminders
• bathroom checklists
• visual schedules
• alarms
• baskets for daily essentials

5. Debrief Social Moments Without Shame
When impulsive comments happen:
• pause later 
• replay the moment calmly 
• ask what they noticed 
• brainstorm a different response together 
Goal:
Build awareness without embarrassment. 


 

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

When another parent pulls you aside and says your kid is the problem… what do you actually do?

In this episode, Andrew and Caroline get real about one of the hardest parenting moments: facing the possibility that your child is the one causing harm. From playground conflicts to teen behaviour that crosses a line, they unpack why so many parents jump to defensiveness and what it costs our kids when we do.

Through honest stories including Caroline’s own “my kid would never…” moment, they walk through how to stay grounded, gather the full story, and respond in a way that actually helps your child grow.

You will hear practical ways to
Respond without escalating conflict between parents
Talk to your child without shutting them down
Separate defending your child from excusing behaviour
Reinforce values like accountability, empathy, and self awareness
Support kids who struggle with impulse control or social cues

This episode is for parents who want to raise kids others trust, respect, and want to be around and who are willing to look inward to get there.

Homework Activities for Parents
The Full Story First Conversation
Ask “Anything I should know about today?”
Let them talk without interrupting
No correcting, no lecturing
Goal is to get their version before reacting

Values Check In
Ask: “What kind of person do you want to be at school?”
         “What matters more here being right or keeping the relationship?
Goal: build internal decision making

Pre Event Reset
Quick check in before school or social situations
“What did we talk about yesterday?”
“What would a good day look like?”
Goal: to interrupt repeat behaviour

Pattern Break for Impulsive Kids
Add structure or supervision in problem situations
Reduce unstructured time temporarily
Goal: to prevent behaviour before it starts

Separate Behaviour from Identity
Say “I am on your side. We still need to fix this.”
Goal: to maintain trust while addressing behaviour

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Non-suicidal self-injury is showing up earlier and more often than many expect, and most adults feel unprepared when it does. In this episode, Andrew and Dr. Caroline talk openly about why kids hurt themselves without wanting to die, what it actually gives them, and why the usual reactions can make things worse.

Caroline breaks down what’s happening in the brain when emotions feel too big to handle, why pain can feel like relief, and how social media is quietly amplifying the problem. You’ll hear what signs to watch for, how to respond without pushing your child away, and what to say when you don’t know what to say.

This conversation also tackles common assumptions, including the idea that kids are “just looking for attention,” and replaces it with a clearer understanding of what’s really going on beneath the surface.

If you want practical ways to keep communication open, support emotional regulation, and create a home where kids feel safe sharing hard things, this episode gives you a starting point that actually works in real life.

Homework Ideas
Practice neutral responses
Next time your child shares something uncomfortable, pause before reacting.
Say: “Thanks for telling me. I’m glad you came to me.”
Goal: build safety, not fear.

Build daily low-stakes connection
Spend 10 minutes a day talking about anything they choose. No correcting or teaching.  This creates the foundation so they come to you when it matters.

Expand emotional vocabulary together
Instead of “fine” or “bad,” ask: “Was it frustrating? Disappointing? Stressful?”
Name emotions out loud in everyday moments.

Co-watch and audit social media
Sit beside them and scroll together.  Ask what they notice, what feels good, what feels heavy.  Adjust what they’re exposed to.

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Roblox isn’t just a game—it’s one of the most active online spaces kids are spending time in right now.

In this episode, Andrew and Caroline get real about what’s happening behind the screen. With over 150 million daily users—many under 13—this platform has become a digital playground where kids are interacting, spending money, and forming connections… sometimes with people they don’t actually know.

They break down how features like chat and in-game currency (Robux) are being used to build trust, how conversations move off-platform, and how quickly things can shift from harmless to risky.

You’ll also hear the uncomfortable truth many parents wrestle with—choosing convenience today while ignoring what it might cost later.

If your child is gaming online, this episode will change how you think about supervision, boundaries, and your role in it.

Homework for Parents

Bring devices into shared spaces
 No bedrooms. No closed doors.

Turn off chat features
 If it’s not needed, it’s off.

No headphones during gameplay
 You should hear what’s happening.

Check spending together
 Walk through how in-game purchases connect to real money.

Ask one simple question daily
 “Who did you play with today?”

Watch for behaviour changes

• Closing screens quickly
• Getting gifts they can’t explain
• Being secretive
• Urgency to get back online

Create your own account
 Spend 20 minutes inside the game. See what they see.

Send us Fan Mail

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK

Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! 

Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! 

Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and 
FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526