Raising Me

Teen dating has always been complicated, but in today’s world of instant communication, social media, and constant availability, the pressures—and risks— can be greater than ever. As we look ahead to Valentine’s Day this week, host Adrienne Stein speaks with Caroline Bochtler-Labrie, a longtime high school health teacher and Maine’s 2023 High School Health Teacher of the Year. With years of experience guiding teens through relationships, breakups, and social pressures, she shares insights for parents trying to navigate this ever-changing landscape. The conversation covers everything from setting boundaries and recognizing red flags to the influence of social media on modern relationships. Bochtler-Labrie highlights the dangers of jealousy disguised as care, the pressure of "Instagram-perfect" relationships, and how parents can help their teens develop healthy expectations.

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Play is more than just fun and games—it’s a critical part of childhood development, helping kids learn, process emotions, and build social skills at every age. But beyond its developmental benefits, play is also a powerful way for parents to connect with their children. Brooke Hackett, a licensed clinical social worker and play therapist, emphasizes that play isn’t just for young kids. From toddlers to teens—and even adults—engaging in different types of play fosters emotional well-being and strengthens relationships. One key takeaway? Parents don’t always have to turn every moment into a lesson. Simply being present with kids—delighting in them rather than feeling the need to teach—can be a relief. Play serves as a bridge between parents and children, meeting kids where they are. Whether it’s dress-up, building with blocks and Legos, baking together, playing board games, or wandering the mall, the act of playing fosters connection at any age. Despite busy schedules, experts encourage parents to embrace play as a meaningful way to bond with their kids while supporting their growth and happiness.

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Parents, if you’re wondering if child needs braces, a palate expander, or aligners, you can find answers in this week’s episode. We dive into the ins and outs of orthodontic care for children. Adrienne speaks with Dr. Meg Dombrowski, known as Dr. Meg, who provides insights on when parents should start considering orthodontic treatment, the various options available, and how to manage costs and ease a child’s fears. Many parents may be surprised to learn that orthodontic evaluations can begin at a younger age than expected. The episode also discusses modern treatment approaches, including the shift from traditional one-time braces to a two-phase treatment process.

Beyond aesthetics, orthodontic care can play a significant role in a child’s overall confidence and oral health. The podcast episode offers guidance for parents whether they are actively researching treatment options or just beginning to consider their child’s orthodontic needs.

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This week, Adrienne speaks with Misty Richard, an LCSW with over 20 years of experience in the social service field. She is also the Pediatric Inpatient Supervisor at Northern Lights Acadia Hospital. They discuss "Eldest Daughter Syndrome" - while not a medical diagnosis, anyone who may be considered an Eldest Daughter will certainly feel seen by this episode.

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As winter tightens its grip on New England, many parents might be feeling the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. The long, dark days—marked by sunset before 5 p.m.—can take a toll on mood and energy levels. But it’s not just adults who are impacted. Kids and teens can experience SAD too, often in ways that are easy to overlook.

Longtime family therapist and Director of MaineHealth’s Center for Trauma, Resilience and Innovation Rebecca Hoffmann discusses what SAD looks like in younger people, how to spot the signs, and how parents can help. Symptoms may include changes in mood, increased fatigue, and a lack of motivation during the colder months.

According to Hoffmann, simple interventions can make a big difference. Sunlight and Vitamin D are key players in battling SAD, as are regular exercise and a balanced diet. Light therapy, which uses specialized lamps to mimic natural sunlight, can also be an effective tool. But SAD isn’t just a winter problem, Hoffmann notes. It can extend into other seasons, making it essential for families to be aware of its potential year-round impact.

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Poor posture is more than just a physical issue—it can significantly impact mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being. That’s the focus of this week’s Raising Me episode, which explores how posture affects kids and offers practical solutions to combat the problem.

Dr. Allyson Coffin explains slouching, often exacerbated by things like excessive device use or even heavy backpacks, can lead to long-term health problems like migraines, eye strain, and nervous system dysfunction. She also explains the connection between posture, confidence and mental health.

The longtime chiropractor offers simple, actionable strategies for improving posture, from practicing “power poses” to activities like swimming and moving devices up to eye-level. Parents can help their children develop stronger posture and self-esteem.

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In this highlight episode, the Raising Me team reflects on the lessons shared by guests this fall and winter. From heartfelt moments to practical advice, we’re diving into the insights that left a lasting impact.

We start with skincare advice for tweens and teens and what we learned from Holly Morris, MSHS, PA-C, who offered expert advice on how to help young ones build confidence and establish healthy habits. One of the most talked about guests this season was Chip Leighton, who went from a corporate employee at a grocery chain to social media star with his dry delivery of the outlandish text messages parents get from their teens. Leighton talks about how humor can be a powerful tool in parenting, diffusing tense situations and bringing families closer together. Our discussion also highlights the courage it takes to embrace a second act in life.

Finally, we touch on the undeniable impact pets have on family life, from teaching responsibility to teaching unconditional love and the one takeaway from the experts that changed the way we interact with our pets.

Join us for a thoughtful look back at the lessons that inspired us—and may inspire you too!

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With the short days and cold temperatures, many parents are juggling demands of the season while managing a lot of stress. In this revisited episode, we dive into the challenges families can face during the winter months, from holiday obligations to financial stress, to battling the winter blues.

Our guest, Theresa Petrosky LCPC, shares expert advice on recognizing signs of seasonal stress, along with practical tips for managing emotional well-being and the expectations that often come with this time of year. Raising Me is sponsored in part by MaineHealth.

About the guest:

Theresa Petrosky, LCPC, specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults with their families. She uses evidence-based models to promote behavior changes in children and their families.

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Have you ever thought about how your place in the family impacts who you are? As the holiday season brings families together, it's perhaps a good time to reflect on how birth order plays out in your own dynamics—and how it influences your kids.

Whether you’re the oldest, youngest, middle child, or an only child; birth order theory suggests that it can shape aspects of your personality. But experts say it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle.

Rebecca Hoffmann, Director of MaineHealth Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation, offers insights into the factors that contribute to personality development. Hoffmann delved into common family dynamics, such as sibling rivalries and the unique pressures faced by firstborns or the sometimes-overlooked middle child. She also offered practical advice on how parents can use this understanding to strengthen relationships within the family.

Raising Me is sponsored in part by MaineHealth.

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Parenting can be a serious job, but adding humor can make a difference in so many ways. This week’s guest is Chip Leighton, known online as the dad who shares texts from his teenagers. Leighton has built a following of more than a million people online who resonate with his deadpan humor and relatable anecdotes.

In this podcast episode, Leighton dives into how he became somewhat of an accidental social media star, starting with simply posting the “special” text exchanges he had with his teens. Over time, his platform grew as other parents began sharing their own exchanges, creating a collective laugh-out-loud experience.

Leighton’s humor isn’t just about laughs; it’s about connection and finding joy in the chaos of parenting. His story of reinvention—culminating in the release of his New York Times bestseller What Time Is Noon—offers an inspiring takeaway: the importance of keeping a sense of humor and staying open to new opportunities at any stage of life.

Follow Chip:

TikTok

Instagram

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