Simple Families

Since we brought our first au pair last summer I have received nearly constant questions about the experience. So today, I am sharing my thoughts on all types of childcare arrangements (including daycare, family care, nannies, nanny share, etc.) and how we came to our decision to use an au pair.

In this episode, I’ll also speak more about my experience with the au pair program. What questions do you have?

The post SFP 150: Tips on Choosing Childcare + My Experience with the Au Pair Program appeared first on Simple Families.

Last week, we had a primer on the importance of outdoor play with Linda Åkeson McGurk. This week, I am re-airing an important follow up piece on the scientific perspective on this topic.

In today’s episode, I speak with Carla Hannaford, world-renowned biologist and outdoor advocate, about her studies on the connection between movement and brain development. If you are brand new to learning about brain development, tune into Episode 92 for a simple, quick overview before diving into this one.

The Mental Unload is launching next week! This program will lighten the load of parenthood, reserve your spot here.

The post SFP 149: The Science Behind Outdoor Play + Movement [with Carla Hannaford Ph.D.] appeared first on Simple Families.

Today I have one of the top Simple Families episodes! I am re-sharing my chat with Linda Åkeson McGurk about the importance of getting kids outside in all sorts of weather–even in the heart of winter.

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Linda, a Swedish mother, joins us to talk about raising our kids to be more connected with nature. Linda’s book is one of my favorites–and her blog, Rain or Shine Mamma, is a worth-while resource as well. I hope you enjoy this episode!

The post SFP 148: Getting Kids Outside in ALL Types of Weather [with Linda from Rain or Shine Mamma] appeared first on Simple Families.

The journey into motherhood isn’t easy for any woman. But after giving birth here in the U.S., there is societal pressure to return to a “normal life” almost overnight. In other cultures, this transition comes more gently. Women are given more time, more support, and more grace.

In today’s episode I am chatting with my friend Lora Amigo. Lora is a Mexican woman raising her children in Chicago–far away from her support network. She shares her story of learning how to mother here in America and the pressure she felt in the process. We are talking about postpartum depression, helicopter parenting, and finding joy in returning to work.

The post SFP 147: Mothering Without A Village [with Lora Amigo] appeared first on Simple Families.

As a parent raising children in the United States, I realize that I have a lot to learn from other cultures around the world. In today’s episode, I am exploring an international perspective with Indian mother Devishobha Chandramouli. Devishobha is raising her children in India, but is also involved and informed with Western parenting practices. In fact, she has even created an online conference to bring these perspectives together.

Devishobha shares more about her experience merging the Eastern and Western worlds of parenting. She tells us about the expectations for kids to learn self-control, busyness, the influence of ancient mindfulness practices, co-sleeping, the postpartum experience, and much more. Despite her calm and gentle voice, Devishobha shares that even she is inclined to lose her cool with her kids sometime, because parenting in any part of the world comes with challenge.

The post SFP 146: International Perspectives in Parenting [with Devishobha Chandramouli of Kidskintha] appeared first on Simple Families.

Why is it that some kids turn into zombies in front of a screen? Then they get angry and act crazy when we turn it off? That’s what we are talking about in today’s episode. I’m going to be skimming the surface on some brain research and share how I use this to manage and understand the screen “zombies” in my own house.

(Names in this episode were changed to protect privacy)

The post SFP 145: Q&A – Why Do Some Kids Turn into Angry Zombies with Screen Time? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Amy Lang about sex. She’s sharing her best tips on how to talk to kids about sex, the human body, teaching consent, and the sexualization of childhood. This is a conversation that needs to be on the radar of all parents with young children.

The post SFP 144: Talking to Young Kids about Sex [with Amy Lang of Birds+Bees+Kids] appeared first on Simple Families.

The way that you parent will look very differently from that of your close friends and family members. Today I am answering a listener’s question. We are discussing how to manage these relationships when you have very different expectations for your own children.

The post SFP 143: Q&A – How do you handle when your parenting choices clash with others? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode I am chatting with professional organizer Rachel Rosenthal. If you are anything like me, you might struggle with complex organizational systems. Rachel is bringing her best tips to keep it simple and approachable–and maybe make 2019 your most organized year yet.

The post SFP 142: Organization for Everyone [with Rachel Rosenthal] appeared first on Simple Families.

If you’ve ever wanted to drink less alcohol, then you might want to tune into this episode. I’ve had a lot of questions about my 2019 resolution to give up alcohol–even though I wouldn’t classify myself as a heavy drinker. Today on the podcast I am sharing more about my “why” and some of the recent personal revelations I have had in the process.

The post SFP 141: Q&A – Can you tell us more about your 2019 resolution? appeared first on Simple Families.