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Can you predict your child's attachment style before they're even born? Join us as we unravel the fascinating world of pregnancy, attachment, and mental health with our special guests Drs. Shalaka and Allison. As Shalaka shares her research on predicting attachment through biological predictors and exposure to prenatal and postnatal stress, Allison offers her expertise as a doctor specializing in internal medicine, cardiology, nephrology, and obstetrical medicine.

Together, we debunk myths surrounding pregnancy and gender predictions while emphasizing the importance of evidence-based information when it comes to lifestyle during pregnancy. We also discuss the uncomfortable experience of having strangers touch your belly while pregnant and explore the need for more conversations about pregnancy and childbirth in our society. Our guests also touch on the crucial role community support plays for new parents and the cultural expectations often placed on mothers.

Don't miss out on this engaging discussion about the significance of reflection during pregnancy and the need to focus on both our children's individual needs and our own mental health and stability. Learn about the research surrounding attachment and the importance of recurrent interactions between children and their caregivers, and how Shalaka and Allison's Growing Facts Podcast is helping to create much-needed conversations around pregnancy and parenting.

About our guests:

Hosts of The Growing Facts Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/growing-facts-podcast/id1651492535

Shalaka earned her Ph.D. in child psychology at McGill University. Her thesis is on the influence of maternal prenatal stress, child genetics, and parenting on the development of attachment in children. 

She has completed her clinical residency in Victoria, B.C. She is a registered psychologist and sees children and families in her clinical practice in Montreal. 

During the course of this podcast, she shares her journey to successfully conceiving a child through IVF. She lives with her two cats, Tonks and Remus, and her husband.

Alyson is an internal medicine specialist in Victoriaville, Quebec. She went to medical school at McGill and then did her residency at the Université de Montréal. She has a particular interest in obstetrical medecine, which focuses on illnesses in the pregnant woman, and is involved in the GEMOQ (Groupe d’Étude en Médecine Obstétrical du Québec) as an administrator. 

She is currently living in Victoriaville with her partner, their huge dog ‘Buck’, and her newborn twins!

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

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Let's talk about both euphoric moments in parenting and rage moments.

I did something very "out of the box" with my kids this weekend and I wanted to share it with you so that you can give it a try too.

Also, I have been talking a lot about "mom rage" online these past 2 weeks but let's get into the science and create a game plan to help you out if this is something you are experiencing.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Our partners:
Get 50% off yearly membership for the Pok Pok app for kids:
playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON 

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

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In today’s episode we are joined for a second time by Susie Allison, M. Ed., a former teacher and creator of Busy Toddler.

• What did Susie post that instigated this conversation?
• Why did Susie make the reel?
• What is the real definition of “social skills”
• How exactly can a parent teach a child social skills?
• How can parents intentionally model emotion regulation skills?
• How and when can a parent teach conflict resolution to their child?
• Are all social skills mostly learned in school?

Follow Susie on Instagram.

Our partners:
Get 50% off a yearly membership for the Pok Pok app for kids:
playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON

Resources:
Development of social skills in children: neural and behavioral evidence for the elaboration of cognitive models

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode we are joined by Tarah Schwartz, Canadian journalist and author of Can’t Help Falling - A Long Road to Motherhood.

• Why did Tarah write this book?
• Should you mention anything when you know someone had a pregnancy loss?
• When should you go back to work after a pregnancy loss?
• Are there any local support groups that were helpful?
• What can you do to support the non-pregnant parent after a pregnancy loss?
• How does adoption actually work?
• Was it hard writing the book or part of Tarah’s healing?
• Has a community grown from the book?
• Who’s the book for?

You can join Tarah through her website: https://tarahschwartz.ca/

Thank you to our supporter the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro. The Neuro is the first health sciences institution in the world to commit to Open Science, an approach to research that ensures scientific knowledge is shared widely and transparently.

Please leave a rating for our podcast on iTunes!

Join our community: Instagram: @curious_neuron Website: www.curiousneuron.com Podcast website: www.curiousneuron.com/curiousneuronpodcast

Our partners:
Get 50% off a yearly membership for the Pok Pok app for kids:
playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON 

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

In today's solo episode, I chat about a 3 day weekend I had my family and extended family.

By the time it was over,  I had some body discomfort and I couldn't figure out why. The weekend had gone fairly well but I did hold back from saying a few things to my mom. Whenever I do express frustration or anger,  it almost ALWAYS becomes about her.

The weekend I attended was a special occasion and I didn't want to get into an argument with her so I kept my feelings to myself...only to feel physically ill by the end of the weekend for the amount of bottled-up emotions I had.

Can you relate? Listen to this episode to learn more! 

Want to join my Wondergrade Emotionally Aware Parent Challenge? Click the link below for your FREE 28-page PDF and a weekly Zoom call.

Try the app for free below!

Need help to support your child? Get our new Curious and Compassionate Parenting Bundle!
https://curiousneuronacademy.mykajabi.com/

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode we are joined by Karl Mercuri a Social-Emotional Learning Consultant and Coach based in Montreal, Canada

3:56 - Who is Karl Mercuri?

6:06 - The increase of complaints from school about child behavior changes since the pandemic, isn’t about behavior… it’s about missing social skills.

8:53 - Do all schools implement social emotional learning programs?

11:00 - What exactly is SEL: Social emotional learning?

12:43 - What are the 5 competencies of SEL and how are they taught?

16:40 - How can we implement discipline in schools keeping in mind SEL?

19:19 - What are community circles?

22:16 - What is a signature practices and how do you know if your school has them? How could a teacher or parent start SEL practices in their school?

27:00 - What are some first steps educators can take with very young children without a full framework implemented in the classroom?

35:50 - How can SEL help us in our adult relationships?

38:48 - What language can teachers use to model SEL in the classroom?

41:00 - Once a teacher knows how the students in the class are doing? How can they structure their activities?

43:51 - What does Karl dream about when it comes to SEL in a classroom?

Join Karl on Twitter or by e-mail: [email protected]

Read the blog post by Karl: https://www.curiousneuron.com/blog/2023/2/6/the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-a-school-that-nurtures-your-childs-social-emotional-well-being

Watch the YouTube Live video with Karl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APTILnWzEg8

CASEL: The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning https://casel.org/

Permission to Feel - Marc Brackett, explains RULER: https://www.marcbrackett.com/about/book-permission-to-feel/

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode, we are joined by Bethan O’Riordan, psychotherapist and mom of 3.

5:57 - What does Bethan do?

7:50 - What is the number one thing I need to know before becoming a parent?

9:31 - How do you deal with a partner who isn’t interested in doing the work themselves?

11:57 - How can we make the shift from negative self-talk to having more self-compassion?

17:01 - Is it possible to go forward in our emotional growth journey without learning more about our past?

19:46 - What’s the key to raising a securely attached child?

23:00 - Should parents be stressed about leaving their children alone to play throughout the day?

31:04 - How can a parent start taking steps toward doing the work?

36:10 - Why is Bethan’s #1 advice to hold your tongue in hard moments?

39:51 - What is compassion-focused therapy?

“The greatest therapist a child can ever have is their own parent” - Bethan O’Riordan

Visit Bethan’s website

Join Bethan’s group open to all parents here.

Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey Into The Science Of Attachment - Bethany Saltman

Browse the Curious Neuron Academy here.

Thank you to our supporter the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro. The Neuro is the first health sciences institution in the world to commit to Open Science, an approach to research that ensures scientific knowledge is shared widely and transparently.

Please leave a rating for our podcast on iTunes!

Join our community: Instagram: @curious_neuron Website: www.curiousneuron.com Podcast website: www.curiousneuron.com/curiousneuronpodcast

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

Today, I want you to change your guilt around yelling to compassion for yourself for being dysregulated.

Sometimes, we power through our days, weeks, months, and years without addressing our needs. Our brain and nervous system have needs too. If we don't address them, we can't nurture them.

What needs does your nervous system have? What causes you to feel "off"? What makes you feel warm and connected inside?

As a challenge this week, I would like you to start using the terms regualted or dysreguated. Listen to this episode to learn how to do this.

If you want to yell less, recognize what triggers you and learn how to cope with your emotions so that you can model this for your children, join the FREE Wondergrade Emotionally Aware Parent challenge by filling in the form below.

You will get a 28-page workbook and the zoom link to join our weekly support group (Monday nights at 8pm ET) where you can chat about events that triggered you and get some advice from me and my business partner Kristi (a nurse).

See you there!

https://forms.gle/JA4imniLK2fLxh12A

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

Hello friend! In today's solo episode, I discuss what it means to be an emotionally aware parent.

We are having the Emotionally Aware Parent Challenge over at Wondergrade (I am the co-founder of this company). You can sign up with the link below:
https://forms.gle/cmASL48RhMsWKW1L6

Many parents tell me they easily snap at their kids or often feel their emotions go from 0-100. Working on our emotional awareness helps us recognize aspects of our environment that lead to strong emotions (both positive or negative/uncomforable).

I walk you through 2 questions you can ask yourself this week and 4 skills you can work on to become an emotionally aware parent.

Here are the resources I mention in today's episode:

Podcast episode about our inner voice:
https://www.curiousneuron.com/archive/2021/6/21/ep-31-how-parents-can-manage-their-negative-inner-voice-with-ethan-kross

Podcast episode about mindfulness and self-compassion:
https://www.curiousneuron.com/archive/ep-79-how-can-parents-work-on-self-compassion-and-mindfulness-with-dr-simn-guendelman

Podcast episode: Why Am I yelling at my kids?
https://www.curiousneuron.com/archive/ep-104-ask-yourself-why-am-i-yelling-at-my-kids

Research Publication: The Structure of Emotional Experience and Its Relation to Trait Emotional Awareness: A Theoretical Review:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ryan-Smith-13/publication/321325117_The_Structure_of_Emotional_Experience_and_Its_Relation_to_Trait_Emotional_Awareness_A_Theoretical_Review/links/6234a98ad545b7729402656c/The-Structure-of-Emotional-Experience-and-Its-Relation-to-Trait-Emotional-Awareness-A-Theoretical-Review.pdf

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode, we are joined by Kishanda Vyboh, MSc and seasoned breastfeeding support parent. We discuss ALL things beautiful and challenging about breastfeeding. We speak about the pressure parents are put under to feed their babies whether it should be by breast milk or formula. This is a judgment-free zone!

5:16 - What is a breastfeeding support parent?

7:27 - Is there other programs like Nourri-Source out there?

8:30 - What is the best way to feed your child and why breastfeeding education is necessary

12:30 - Do you have to follow all the rules that the pre-natal classes give you?

14:56 - Why did Kishanda make her own FREE pre-natal workshop and who can access it?

17:30 - Why are there mood changes during the breast-feeding weaning period

21:42 - Why does the World Health Organization suggest breastfeeding exclusively until 6 months, and then continuing until 2 years? Why is Canada not meeting these milestones?

25:49 - Should I breastfeed my baby every time they cry?

28:03 - If I continue breastfeeding past 2 years, will I ruin my child?

30:04 - What should I do if I don’t want my tongue-tied child to have surgery?

33:40 - What are some common misconceptions Kishanda has seen throughout her years volunteering?

37:30 - What topics are covered in Kishanda’s free course?

Resources:

Join Kishanda on Instagram: @kishanda_jesse

Nourri-source: https://nourri-source.org/en/

Access the free workshop here: https://linktr.ee/kishandajesse?fbclid=PAAaa0hfIrCKX4gNsta4JHbSHpubhuVxUAXr4GMvJcZQaZCXjWUIycRvzvkWk

La leche league: https://www.lllc.ca/

Study from Canadian Journal of Nursing Research

Find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in Quebec

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.