Florida's bill has been nicknamed the 'don't say gay' bill.  Here's more information on the bill:

https://www.hrc.org/news/florida-senate-passes-dont-say-gay-or-trans-bill-legislation-heads-to-desantis-desk-for-signature-or-veto

https://m.flsenate.gov/session/bill/2022/1557/billtext/er/pdf

How many times can we say 'gay' in this podcast episode?

Teaching kids in grades K-3 language to describe LGBT language will not change straight kids gay; just like teaching kids heteronormative language will make gay kids straight.

People have a right to be who they are.  And they have the right to be introduced to language that will help them describe how they feel.

Here is a link to research based, scienctifically processed and peer reviewed information on how gender affirming schools save lives: 

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/lgbtq-gender-affirming-spaces/

Newcomb, Michael E.; LaSala, Michael C.; Bouris, Alida; Mustanski, Brian; Prado, Guillermo; Schrager, Sheree M.; Huebner, David M.; LGBT Health, Vol 6(4), Jun, 2019 pp. 139-145. Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; [Journal Article]

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/gender-affirming-care-for-youth/

Craig, Shelley L.; Eaton, Andrew D.; Kirkland, Alexa; Egag, Egag; Pascoe, Rachael; King, Kourteney; Krishnan, Sreedevi; International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, Vol 16(1), Dec, 2021 ArtID: 1961572. Publisher: Taylor & Francis; [Journal Article]

The bottom line is, the adults uncomfortable with kids being taught anything but heteronormative language and seek to put limitations on kids, aren't the ones who suffer...the kids are the one who suffer.  

Learn more about LGBT language here:

https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/diversity-schools

Jax Anderson and Renae Swanson are two mental health professionals helping parents decode the tween and teen years.  

Jax and Renae have worked with tweens and teens for a combination of 35+ years and their experience and creative parenting solutions have proven valuable for parents around the world.  

They aren't afraid to talk about the 'tough stuff', the topics and issues that many mental health professionals steer clear from speaking publicly about when it comes to raising tweens and teens.  

Join Jax and Renae as they begin the journey of talking about the topic of raising tweens and teens in the world today.  

Contact us with questions, requests or constructive feedback:

Jax

IG: @jax.parentingteens

TiKToK: @psyko_therapy

Email: [email protected]

Renae

IG: @renae.d.swanson

Email: [email protected]

We are excited to be back for season 3, at long last!

We've been wearing or fighting over wearing masks for the last two years.  Now that it appears we no longer require the mask as much, people are wondering how to return to life in public while remaining unmasked.  

In this episode we will discuss how to model the great unmasking for our kids.  Admiittedly, we explore other topics in regard to the mask because, well, it's been a while since our last recording.  

Jax Anderson and Renae Swanson are two mental health professionals helping parents decode the tween and teen years.  

Jax and Renae have worked with tweens and teens for a combination of 35+ years and their experience and creative parenting solutions have proven valuable for parents around the world.  

They aren't afraid to talk about the 'tough stuff', the topics and issues that many mental health professionals steer clear from speaking publicly about when it comes to raising tweens and teens.  

Join Jax and Renae as they begin the journey of talking about the topic of raising tweens and teens in the world today.  

Contact us with questions, requests or constructive feedback:

Jax

IG: @jax.parentingteens

TiKToK: @psyko_therapy

Email: [email protected]

Renae

IG: @renae.d.swanson

Email: [email protected]

Many people have claimed that the increase in stress, anxiety and depression in kids is due to being forced to wear a mask at school.  That it gets in the way of their learning and affects their academic performance.  

This is just NOT TRUE.

What we've observed of the many people/parents making these false claims are they simply lack an understanding of and education in mental health, OR people/parents who simply don't want their kids to wear a mask.  

The mask appears to have become a symbol of a political stance or a loss of liberties in this country and THAT discord is what is affecting kids, not wearing the mask.  

Listen in for more education and information about MASKS, KIDS & MENTAL HEALTH - the real truth and we will lay it out for you from a mental health professionals point of view.  Show you evidence, explain what is more likely creating stress and anxiety and depression in kids, provide you with strategies to help them and talk about how you can advocate in your school district.  

Jax Anderson and Renae Swanson are two mental health professionals helping parents decode the tween and teen years.  

Jax and Renae have worked with tweens and teens for a combination of 35+ years and their experience and creative parenting solutions have proven valuable for parents around the world.  

They aren't afraid to talk about the 'tough stuff', the topics and issues that many mental health professionals steer clear from speaking publicly about when it comes to raising tweens and teens.  

Join Jax and Renae as they begin the journey of talking about the topic of raising tweens and teens in the world today.  

Contact us with questions, requests or constructive feedback:

Jax

IG: @psykotherapist

TiKToK: @psyko_therapy

Email: [email protected]

Renae

IG: @renae.d.swanson

Email: [email protected]

Jax and Renae discuss the mental health, academic, relationship and social affects on teens during the past year. 

Teens are more resilient than adults give them credit for and instead of 'protecting' them from the trauma of this past year; it's imperative we listen to them, validate their feelings and support them in their own growth and development. 

In this episode Jax and Renae help you with what to say and what to do to help your teen grow through this past year.  

Join Jax and Renae in their facebook group for Moms of Tween/Teen Daughters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momsandteengirls/?ref=bookmarks

Jax Anderson can be found on IG: @thepsykotherapist & TiKToK: @psyko_therapy

Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com

In this episode Renae and Jax discuss the aftermath of setting and maintaining boundaries with family and friends.  How this affect you and your kids.  It's important to model for our kids how to set and maintain boundaries but also how to cope with the backlash. 

Jax Anderson and Renae Swanson are two mental health professionals helping parents decode the tween and teen years.  

Jax and Renae have worked with tweens and teens for a combination of 35+ years and their experience and creative parenting solutions have proven valuable for parents around the world.  

They aren't afraid to talk about the 'tough stuff', the topics and issues that many mental health professionals steer clear from speaking publicly about when it comes to raising tweens and teens.  

Join Jax and Renae as they begin the journey of talking about the topic of raising tweens and teens in the world today.  

Connect with Jax here: 

IG: @thepsykotherapist 

TiKToK: psyko_therapy

Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com

Jax Anderson and Renae Swanson are two mental health professionals helping parents decode the tween and teen years.  

Jax and Renae have worked with tweens and teens for a combination of 35+ years and their experience and creative parenting solutions have proven valuable for parents around the world.  

They aren't afraid to talk about the 'tough stuff', the topics and issues that many mental health professionals steer clear from speaking publicly about when it comes to raising tweens and teens.  

Join Jax and Renae as they begin the journey of talking about the topic of raising tweens and teens in the world today.  

Holiday Guidelines

We are following many of the guidelines on this website. Our hope is you are as well. Here is what we are following for our Holiday gatherings. These are important even if you have previously had COVID. They are finding that even though you have antibodies, you can still be exposed and spread the virus.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

1. For the 14 days before the get together please limit your contact with people besides those that you live with.
2. If you know that your housemates or roommates are not safe distancing, please find ways to stay out of contact with them. (E.g., cook and eat at different times at them.
3. Please only use substance with those that you are very close to like significant others. Substances make it hard to safe distance and maintain hygiene. Marijuana has been found to be a spreader when smoking in groups.
4. If you have any symptoms at all, stay home.
5. If you have been exposed to COVID, and are not finished with your 14 day quarantine stay home even if you were sick previously. Again, antibodies do not keep you from spreading. 

We would really love to have all of you with us for the holidays and I know that this text message may upset some of you because of the life style change. Please try to follow these guidelines. If you cannot, please be honest so that we are all able to stay safe. If you cannot come, we can use zoom and we can definitely drop food off for you.

Find Jax and Renae on social media by engaging with them in their facebook group for Moms of Tween/Teen Daughters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenraisinggirls

Jax Anderson can be found on:

IG: @thepsykotherapist

TiKToK: @psyko_therapy and 

Renae Swanson can be found on:

IG: @renae.d.swanson

and at www.integritycounselingllc.net

Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com

"Disclaimer: This podcast is informational and NOT a substitute, replacement or in conjunction with individual, family, couples’ and group psychotherapy. If you or someone you know is in need or seeking mental health services please contact your local mental health service provider. For more resources pertaining to mental health please visit https://www.nami.org/"

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? 

• Shock, denial, or disbelief. 
• Confusion, difficulty concentrating. 
• Anger, irritability, mood swings. 
• Anxiety and fear. 
• Guilt, shame, self-blame. 
• Withdrawing from others. 
• Feeling sad or hopeless. 
• Feeling disconnected or numb. 

If you are, your kids are.  Our behaviors are different now so "Do as I do, not as I say" is our new mantra!  Growth focused! 

Resources: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Find Jax and Renae on social media by engaging with them in their facebook group for Moms of Tween/Teen Daughters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenraisinggirls

Jax Anderson can be found on IG: @thepsykotherapist TiKToK: @psyko_therapy and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaxandersonlpc/

Renae Swanson can be found on IG: @renae.d.swanson and at www.integritycounselingllc.net

Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com

"Disclaimer: This podcast is informational and NOT a substitute, replacement or in conjunction with individual, family, couples’ and group psychotherapy. If you or someone you know is in need or seeking mental health services please contact your local mental health service provider. For more resources pertaining to mental health please visit https://www.nami.org/"

Jax and Renae discuss how the reality of what our kids are seeing when they watch us and other adults behave our way through 2020.  

Self awareness can help us model healthier skills for our children as well as help ourselves navigate this significant trauma we are all experiencing together.  

Find Jax and Renae on social media by engaging with them in their facebook group for Moms of Tween/Teen Daughters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenraisinggirls

Jax Anderson can be found on IG: @thepsykotherapist TiKToK: @psyko_therapy and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaxandersonlpc/

Renae Swanson can be found on IG: @renae.d.swanson and at www.integritycounselingllc.net

Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com

"Disclaimer: This podcast is informational and NOT a substitute, replacement or in conjunction with individual, family, couples’ and group psychotherapy. If you or someone you know is in need or seeking mental health services please contact your local mental health service provider. For more resources pertaining to mental health please visit https://www.nami.org/"

In this episode Jax & Renae talk about the little pet peeves they've noticed while parenting through a pandemic. 

Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed by your own pet peeves?  Listen to Jax & Renae validate your feelings and pick up some parenting strategies they have been using to cope! 

Find Jax and Renae on social media by engaging with them in their facebook group for Moms of Tween/Teen Daughters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenraisinggirls

Jax Anderson can be found on IG: @thepsykotherapist TiKToK: @psyko_therapy and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaxandersonlpc/

Renae Swanson can be found on IG: @renae.d.swanson and at www.integritycounselingllc.net

Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com

"Disclaimer: This podcast is informational and NOT a substitute, replacement or in conjunction with individual, family, couples’ and group psychotherapy. If you or someone you know is in need or seeking mental health services please contact your local mental health service provider. For more resources pertaining to mental health please visit https://www.nami.org/"

Jax and Renae discuss the significant mental and emotional impact 2020 has had on kids and their parents.  They remind listeners of the fragile brain development youth are experiencing and how parents can add to their stress and also share strategies on how parents can help lighten their kid's stress.    

Find Jax and Renae on social media by engaging with them in their facebook group for Moms of Tween/Teen Daughters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenraisinggirls

Jax Anderson can be found on IG: @thepsykotherapist TiKToK: @psyko_therapy and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaxandersonlpc/

Renae Swanson can be found on IG: @renae.d.swanson and at www.integritycounselingllc.net

Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com

"Disclaimer: This podcast is informational and NOT a substitute, replacement or in conjunction with individual, family, couples’ and group psychotherapy. If you or someone you know is in need or seeking mental health services please contact your local mental health service provider. For more resources pertaining to mental health please visit https://www.nami.org/"