Practical Parenting

Entitlement shows up in many families — whether it’s resistance to chores, frustration when things don’t go their way, or racing through Christmas gifts and asking, “Is that it?” In this episode, we break down the roots of entitlement in kids and why today’s instant gratification culture makes it even harder for them to wait, cope, and problem solve.

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. If you're wondering how much tech is too much, what counts as responsible AI use, or how to protect your child’s cognitive development in a digital world, this episode offers actionable insights straight from the research.

The digital world can literally feel like its own world. In this episode, we discuss the importance of media and digital literacy, the benefits and risks of media, and how to protect their own safety, privacy, and sovereignty. This conversation empowers families to build safer, healthier digital habits together.

TW: discussion of suicide

In this episode, we outline how to co-create a suicide prevention safety plan with your adolescent—what it is, what goes in it, and how to keep it accessible. Talking about suicide doesn’t put the idea in kids’ heads. Open conversations are where it starts. 

Plan templates to use:

• Stanley-Brown Safety Plan
• SAMHSA
• Child Mind Institute

Peer-to-Peer Support

• 988 (call or text)
• The Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth
• Born This Way Foundation’s Be There Certificate

Legal for adults doesn’t mean safe for teens. In this episode, we detail adolescent risks, clarify medical uses, and walk parents through how to talk with teens about smoking, vaping, and edibles. Enjoy this practical, fact-forward guidance for having ongoing, open conversations at home.

This episode shares fluid targets, when electrolytes matter (and a DIY recipe), the surprising recovery power of chocolate milk, and why sleep and nutrition are integral to a hydration strategy—quick, evidence-based tips to keep your athlete safe and performing their best.

Sports and activities offer a slew of benefits for our kids, but can often come with burnout, battles, and blown budgets. We break down how to balance structured sports with free play and how to help your child discover what truly lights them up inside. And, once we are in the sports, reframing quitting, the sports scholarship myth, building resiliency, and more.

Articles mentioned: The Double Shift, by Katherine Goldstein 

Vaccine information this fall has been confusing, to say the least. But recommendations from professional medical societies are clear and have not changed. Get the information you need to make the best decision for your family here. 

Sleep is the secret weapon for learning, growth, and a strong immune system. We break down how much sleep kids really need, how to shift sleep schedules to get back on track (hello, 30–60-minute steps), and daytime habits that make nights easier ... to make your life easier. 

Back-to-school without the chaos. We answer all your burning back-to-school questions with practical tips for resetting sleep and morning routines, handling first-day jitters, making homework more manageable, and more. Quick wins, zero guilt, totally doable, a perfect recipe for that first week back!