For better or worse, how we parent is naturally influenced by our own childhood experiences. Some things we want to recreate because they made us feel good as children, and some things we feel strongly about doing differently. How we approach parenting is deeply rooted in our early experiences. Thinking about your own childhood can help you become more aware of the meaning behind your reaction toward your own child. Making sense of our own past, processing and creating a narrative of our experiences is critical in how we relate to our kids. 

In today's episode Sepideh Hakimzadeh, MA/LMFT from Whole Mother Therapy joins Karen to talk about the importance of breaking generational cycles when raising children. From how siblings are treated to trauma, Sepideh and Karen discuss the many ways our own childhood affects our parenting, why it is hard to undo, and tips to do just that. 

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

For some families, the decision to have another child or when to stop having children is very clear, but for others it can be a harder, more complicated choice.  

Census data shows one child families are the fastest growing family unit in the United States. Only child families are expected to double in the U.S. by 2050.  Maybe you thought you were a one and done family, but now you're not so sure. 

In this episode Karen is joined by Kim-Lan Dovan and Lexsea Mann, both Parent & Me educators,  to talk about how they each made the decision for their own families,  things to consider when  deciding to grow your family,  myths about only children, and different perspectives to consider to help guide you.   

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

From beaches, to mountains, museums, historical sites, hikes, playgrounds, gardens, libraries, cool neighborhoods to explore, and more, there is a lot to do in Los Angeles with kids.  You don't have to go far or spend a lot of money to have an adventure!  Exposing your children to culture and nature has numerous positive effects and getting out of the house can improve everyone's spirits, help you connect, have fun, and make memories. This  episode focuses solely on kid-friendly activities in Los Angeles to help you take advantage of everything the area has to offer. 

Mars Tekosky, the creator of @little.los.angeles on Instagram, shares some of her favorite playgrounds and adventures for kids and families around Los Angeles. She is a poet, a social worker and a mother of three young children. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, where she still lives and continues to find new places to explore. 

Links:
Alltrails.com
@little.los.angeles

Places mentioned:
Hermon Park
William S Heart Regional Park
Huntington Central Park
Angeles National Forest
Vasquez Rocks
Lacy Park
LACMA
La Brea Tar Pits
Descanso Gardens
The Huntington
Norton Simon Museum
Marina del Rey Waterbus
Hahamonga Watershed Park
Ascot Hills Park
Old Zoo in Griffith Park
Ballona Discovery Park
Sepulveda Basin
Eaton Canyon
City of San Pedro
City of Altadena
Orange County
City of Montrose
Monrovia Street Fair
California Botanical Garden
City of Claremont

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

In this episode, Karen is joined by Mallyce Miller, a single mom by choice in our community. Becoming a single mother by choice is an increasingly popular path to motherhood thanks to more awareness, resources, and community to share experiences. Mallyce speaks about her journey to motherhood from knowing when the time was right, the process of choosing an egg donor and getting pregnant, reactions from family and friends, the power of community, barriers many women face, the challenges (and joys!) of raising a child without a partner and more! 

Having the courage to fulfill a lifelong dream to become a mother on her own is just one thing that makes Mallyce so special. Listen to hear her story!

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Who knew that the hardest part of being an adult is figuring out what to cook for dinner every single night for the rest of your life?  And in making meals for families, it gets a whole lot more complicated between the time pressures, financial considerations, and feeding challenges of young kids. In this episode Karen is joined by registered dietitian and recipe developer Elise Compston to talk about some of her best tips, tricks, and ideas for getting dinner on the table every night, plus breakfast and lunch suggestions, too.  Elise also helps take off some of the meal pressure and shares important perspective of feeding a family. 

You can find Elise here:
https://www.compstonkitchen.com/
https://www.instagram.com/compstonkitchen/

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Growing your family can feel like a daunting task, but for LGBTQ couples there are logistical issues, legal hurdles, and financial obstacles that heterosexual couples rarely consider or ever need to deal with. In this episode Karen is joined by David Reed who, along with his husband Chris, used an egg donor and surrogate to have their beautiful baby Olive Grace. David shares the entire process, including picking an egg donor and surrogate,  the legal and financial considerations, making the road trip home with their just days old baby,  and so much more!

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

In honor of Earth Day, Karen talks with Jacob Reed  about raising environmentalists and simple things to do to help save the planet.  It can be a scary and overwhelming proposition to think about climate change and the crises we will leave to our children to solve, but inaction is irresponsible and making small simple changes can help us feel more active and be part of the solution. 

While many of us as individuals thoughtfully work hard to reduce our carbon footprint, Jacob centers the discussion on the primary role and immense impact of big business on damaging our ecosystems and how to use your vote, your voice, and your purchasing power to affect change. 

Jacob also discussions:

• composing options to consider
• alternatives brands and easy swaps to buy instead 
• how he talks about the environment with his kids and fun activities to get them involved (did you know there is a 3-D Lab at the Los Angeles Central Library)
• lots of other helpful tips

Show Links

Jacob's Awesome Newsletter

Climate Town Links

• Climate Town: Plastic Recycling is an Actual Scam
• Climate Town: Fast Fashion is Hot Garbage

Composting Links

• Full Circle Scrap Happy 
• Lomi 
• Mill
• Vitamix

Easy Swaps to Make (buy this not that!)

3-D Printing
The Octavia Lab at the Los Angeles Public Library Central Branch
How to Make Brio parts

Open letter to Uline and how you can use it to encourage places to stop supporting them

Catalogue Choice

Dropps (company Karen mentioned for detergent)

SustainLA (refill store)

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

During adolescence children’s bodies change, they grow figuratively and literally, they navigate social and emotional shifts and how they relate to the world. It can be an awkward time and it is understood not to be a blissful phase of life.

 Something very similar happens when we become mothers and there is a word for it, matrescence. Just like adolescence, it is a transitionary period. 

Karen recently spoke with Evelyn Gama, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in perinatal mental health about this all-encompassing time of change in a mother’s life. Evelyn talks about what is happening for women both physically and emotionally, the emotional weight of new motherhood, intergenerational aspects, societal pressures, and protective measures to ease the transition.

Connect with Evelyn here:
Website: themotherhoodcenter.com
Website: www.evelyngamacounseling.com
Website: psichapters.com

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

The process of fostering a child to adopt is an emotionally challenging time full of uncertainty. It is deeply personal and usually not linear. 

On this episode Karen is joined by Alana Gentry. Alana is a songwriter and star of the Alana Banana Show, host of the Inspired Grown-up Podcast, and a truly special human  to  share her journey through the foster to adopt process.  Alana and her husband Erik tried to have a baby for years. As many of you know, the process is emotionally and physically draining.

Alana discusses how they decided foster to adopt was right for me, the up and downs of the journey, what she learned, how to hold conflicting feelings at the same time, and where they are today. 
 
Alana Gentry is a songwriter, actor, and host of The Alana Banana Show.  You can connect with her here:
Instagram: thealanabananashow
Website: thealanabananashow.com

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Ditching diapers is a milestone that many parents anxiously look forward to their little one reaching one day. It can seem like a daunting task and many parents don’t know where to start. If you google potty training help, you will find nothing short of 55 million links to help you sort it out, which seems like the most unhelpful internet search ever.  From setting your child up for success, to pull nights and night training, regression, and so much more, this episode is a must listen for anyone who hasn't potty trained yet. 

You can connect with Gia here:
Instagram: giagambaroblount
Website: giagambaroblount.com

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https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/