Raising Me

Parenting with pets – it’s something that so many families think about at some point – maybe you’re especially thinking about adding one to your home for the holidays. But when is it the right time to bring one into the mix – how do you prepare your kids and yourself for everything that comes with a pet? Amber Zawrotny and Darci Bloemendaal from the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland share what you should know - from getting the best behavior from your pet, to choosing the right fit for your family and even insights on handling pet loss.            

 Whether you have a furry friend - or your thinking about one – this week’s episode of Raising Me is for you.

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As social media trends continue to shape beauty routines, many parents are left wondering how much of the viral skincare advice flooding TikTok and Instagram is beneficial for their teens and tweens. With products promising “perfect” skin, it’s easy for young people to get carried away in the excitement—but experts urge caution. Often, less is more. So this week, Adrienne speaks with Holly Morris, a board-certified physician assistant with more than 15 years of experience in dermatology and medical aesthetics. Morris shares her expert advice on the viral trends and how tweens and teens can best take care of their skin. She also shares the products she recommends for kids struggling with acne, and what parents can use to help take care of their own skin, including dark spots and fine lines. As social media continues to influence beauty standards, Morris encourages parents to help their teens develop a realistic understanding of skincare. For parents looking to develop good skincare routines for their teens, Morris’s advice is clear: keep it simple, stay consistent, and always consult a professional if needed.

Additional information:

How to build the best teen skin care routine, according to dermatologists

Which skin care products should young girls use? Dermatologists recommend this simple routine

Why is a consistent skincare routine so important

Breaking Down Viral Skincare Trends

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As voters across the country head to the polls today, they’re reminded of how challenging it can be to find common ground. But the search for common ground isn’t just limited to politics—it's also a critical part of co-parenting. Whether you're married, separated, or somewhere in between, raising children with another person requires collaboration, compromise, and clear communication.

Shannan King, Regional Family Support Coordinator for the GEAR Family Network; which specializes in helping families navigate some of the most difficult times in their lives. King emphasizes that the concept goes beyond divorced or separated parents. "Co-parenting isn’t just something you figure out during a divorce," she says. "You're co-parenting with your spouse, grandparents, friends who may be helping you, and extended family—anyone who is involved in raising your child."

Successful co-parenting means establishing rules and boundaries that everyone agrees on, but consistency can be tricky, especially in households with different parenting styles. King stresses the importance of communication, which is often the most difficult hurdle to overcome, particularly when dealing with a high-conflict ex-partner.

Ultimately, King’s advice boils down to one simple takeaway: put the children first. Whether you're setting rules, communicating across households, or navigating new relationships, the goal is to provide the best environment possible for your kids—a lesson that resonates strongly on a day like today, when the nation itself is seeking common ground for the greater good.

For more information on the GEAR Family Network and the support they offer, visit https://gearparentnetwork.org/.

Additional Information:

TED Talks: How to co-parent as allies, not adversaries

TED Talks: The beautiful hard work of co-parenting

Co-parenting and Joint Custody tips for divorced parents

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In this episode, we explore the challenges teenagers are facing today—academically, socially, and emotionally. From school stress to identity struggles, teens are dealing with complex issues, and it can feel overwhelming for parents to know how to support them.

What are teens really struggling with today? What are they saying—and what aren’t they saying? We sit down with longtime high school counselor Melissa Fowler, who shares insights from her 25 years of experience, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what parents might be missing and how they can help.

Melissa, a mom of four, is passionate about guiding students through both their academic and personal journeys. You may recognize her from our previous episode, *“Never Unplugged: What’s Happening In High Schools,”* where two remarkable students shared their experiences.

In this episode, we dig deeper into the teen experience to understand what may be going on—even when they say “I’m fine,” “it’s nothing,” or “it’s not that deep.”

About the Guest: Melissa Fowler

Melissa Fowler is a proud mom of four uniquely awesome children spanning ages from 20 to 8. For the past 25 years, Melissa has passionately served as a public high school counselor, dedicated to guiding and supporting students through their academic and personal journeys. At Greely High School in Maine, Melissa proudly wears various hats, serving as the College Planning Coordinator, Active Minds/KyleCares Club Advisor, National Honor Society Co-Chair, Save Promise Club Co-Advisor, and as the President of the Southern Maine Counseling Association. Beyond her professional endeavors, Melissa's most cherished achievement is her role as a mom. Guided by her personal philosophy, Melissa strives to approach her work with students in a manner that mirrors the care and dedication she envisions for her own children.

Additional Resources:

Providing Supports to Students, Young Children and Families

Resources for Students and Educators

The Jed Foundation

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In the fast-paced lives of parents, play is often overlooked, but experts say it’s a crucial part of childhood development that goes beyond fun and games. Whether it’s building forts, pretending to be superheroes, or simply rolling on the floor with kids, play plays a significant role in helping children grow, both emotionally and cognitively.

Certified parenting coach Ayanna Allen discusses the benefits of play for children and parents alike, emphasizing its value in strengthening family bonds. Allen shares how play impacts children's brains, emotions, and social skills, and offer practical advice on how parents can incorporate playtime into their busy schedules. She highlights the importance of engaging in activities like tea parties and Lego building sessions, which she says are more valuable than they might appear.

For parents curious about whether they should be playing more with their children or questioning the significance of these seemingly simple activities, Allen offers her insights.

About Ayanna:

Ayanna Allen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development with a focus on Early Childhood Development, is a certified Parenting Coach, and began her journey as a mother 14 years ago. Ayanna equips parents with skills and tools that; activate intentional parenting, improves self-awareness, increases patience, and sets a foundation for long standing and impactful connections with their children. Her coaching business is titled ‘Go Hard Parenting’ because parenting is hard, and she believes parents must “go harder”!

More information:

The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds

Importance of Play in Early Childhood

Benefits of Play for Adults

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With the election just weeks away, political division and rhetoric are ramping up—and kids may be feeling the impact. From differing opinions among family and friends to the heated conversations kids overhear and the surge of negative ads and social media posts, it’s nearly impossible for them to avoid the political noise.

To help parents navigate these challenging times, Rebecca Hoffmann, a longtime family therapist and the Director of MaineHealth’s Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation, shares strategies for guiding children through emotional conversations while building essential life skills.

Hoffmann shares why it is important to shift the conversations at home from a specific candidate to family values and how that leads to who you may be supporting in an election. She also talks about deciphering sources to navigate fact from fiction, plus the importance of setting boundaries when it comes to disagreements online or with family and friends.

As election season intensifies, these strategies offer parents a guide to supporting their children through the political noise.

About our guest:

Rebecca Hoffmann is the Director of the MaineHealth Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. By training, Rebecca is a family therapist and has worked clinically for 25 years with children, families and communities.

Rebecca’s primary work is in the fields of trauma, violence, resilience, and wellbeing. She has overseen large federally funded behavioral health research and service grants that focus on providing care and treatment for children and families that have been exposed to trauma. These programs focus on prevention of childhood exposure to violence, implementation of evidence-based trauma treatment, and fostering professional resiliency. In addition, Rebecca has overseen programs in disaster mental health, and in helping communities heal after trauma. Rebecca has extensive training and practice in the fields of childhood trauma, wellbeing and resilience, community coalition building, and collective healing. She has published numerous articles, book chapters, and other resources in this field.

Additional Information:

Helping Young Children Navigate Political Anxiety

Seven Tips for Talking with Kids about Politics

How Politics can Impact Your Kids and How to Help

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In a world where financial literacy is essential, many parents are left wondering how to teach their children what they need to succeed when it comes to money. This week’s Raising Me podcast episode dives into the topics of saving and investing. Jon Paradise from Town and Country Federal Credit Union is our episode expert and he'll help us to navigate these challenges. Whether parents are trying to teach their kids how to save for a new gadget or start planning for bigger, long-term goals, Paradise offers actionable steps for families at any stage of the financial journey. The episode emphasizes many of the best lessons can come from everyday moments.

About the expert:

Jon Paradise, who is the regular spokesperson for the Financial Matters segment on CBS13/FOX23, shares his passion for teaching people about money management. As a father of three, he also draws from personal experiences in guiding his kids, allowing them to make mistakes in a safe environment to help them grow.

Additional resources:

The Right Time to Teach Kids about Money

6 Ways to Get Kids Excited About Investing

7 Steps to Teach Kids How to Invest

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Finding the right medical provider for your child can be confusing, especially with so many options — from pediatricians and specialists to therapists and more. Whether you're dealing with a health concern, developmental questions, or just figuring out where to start, in this episode of Raising Me, Dr. Allyson Coffin is here to guide you through the process.

Dr. Coffin discussed how to choose the right provider for your child, when and how to seek their help, and her advice for making the best decisions. She emphasized the importance of understanding the different types of care available and knowing when to turn to a specialist. Dr. Coffin has previously joined us to discuss topics such as preventing "tech neck" and self-regulation strategies for both kids and parents. You can find these discussions in our episode list.

About the Expert:

Dr. Coffin, a chiropractor with more than a decade of experience practicing in both New York and Maine, now runs her practice, Align with Wellness. As a mother of two, she’s experienced the same challenges when it comes to navigating the healthcare system for her own children.

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In today’s fast-paced world, many families struggle with overscheduling their children, juggling lessons, practices, games, and after-school clubs. The pressure to provide every opportunity can be exhausting, not only for kids but also for us as parents. The reality is we as parents often do it to ourselves as we try to create every opportunity for our kids in a more competitive world.

Our guest in this week’s Raising Me podcast episode is Rebecca Hoffmann. She’s a longtime family therapist and director of MaineHealth’s Center for Trauma Resilience and Innovation. Listen as Hoffmann emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of overscheduling and its impact on family life. Finding balance is crucial to ensure children have time to rest and grow, both mentally and physically.

Hoffmann, a mother herself, as well as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine, shares insights on how families can navigate these challenges and build a more balanced lifestyle.

Overscheduled Child May Lead to a Bored Teen: https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/overscheduled-child-may-lead-to-bored-teen

How Overscheduling Prevents Skill Development: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parent-tips-20/202301/how-overscheduling-prevents-skill-development

This is Why Overscheduling Your Kids’ Activities may be Ruining Your Relationship: https://www.parents.com/is-overscheduling-ruining-your-relationship-8710271

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In this episode of Raising Me, political reporter and podcast host Ben Margiott discusses how he became passionate about covering politics and offers guidance on simplifying complex political topics for kids. Parenting can be confusing and frustrating, especially when dealing with topics no one prepared us for - like explaining politics to children. Adrienne and Ben talk about how politics impacts our everyday lives, from roads to schools and even the food we eat. Plus, Ben emphasizes the importance of teaching kids to verify information online.

About the guest:

Ben Margiott became a reporter in Reno, NV in 2016, covering diverse stories from Nevada politics to extreme weather events. He has reported live on major events, including O.J. Simpson’s parole and interviews with prominent political figures like Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Margiott also tells impactful local stories and launched *Ballot Battleground: Nevada*, a podcast focusing on critical issues for Nevada voters. He’s passionate about journalism and enjoys spending weekends with his family.

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