Being A Parent Is Hard!

Follow Being A Parent Is Hard!
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Being A Parent is Hard! As clinical psychologists working with children, teens, and parents, we are here to make a difficult job just a little easier. Come behind the closed door of the psychotherapy office, as we offer insight, hands-on tools and unique strategies to help you better understand and help your children. Focusing on the challenges of normal development and the more serious concerns that parents bring to us everyday, we will be talking about issues such as emotional communication, discipline, limit setting, ADHD, social media, academic pressure, anxiety, bullying, parental disagreements, substance abuse and more. We will touch on it all. Please join us! Contact us at: beingapersonishardpodcast@gmail.com

Beth Feldman Ph.D. & Jen Ratas Ph.D.


    • Jun 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 32 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Being A Parent Is Hard! with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Being A Parent Is Hard!

    Managing the Emotional Struggles of Being a New Mother (AKA Where Did the Real Me Go and How Do I Get Her Back?)"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 24:58


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! In this episode, we have a particularly honest talk about the emotional stressors experienced by new mothers. We focus on the issues underlying unspoken questions such as, "Where did the old me go and how do I get myself back?" Or, "Am I a horrible person for sometimes hating my kid?" We share personal stories, including our own experiences of exhaustion, guilt, rage, and more guilt, as mothers of babies and young kids. And we offer our clinical guidance about how to manage these conflicting, upsetting, and very human feelings. We hope you can join us us!Contact Us At:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Understanding Teenage Substance Use and Substance Abuse

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 28:06


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! This episode focuses on teenage drug and alcohol use and how and when it can slip into substance abuse. We talk about how parents can help their teens navigate a social landscape that often includes drugs and alcohol, and manage academic and social pressures that sometimes result in them abusing substances.  Tune in for professional guidance and hands-ons strategies offered to help parents with this very dicey topic.   We hope you can join us!Contact us at: beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Managing the Stress of Social Struggles

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 26:42


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Does your pre-teen or teen struggle socially? Are they sad or anxious because of difficulties they are having fitting in with peers? In this episode, we focus on understanding the different types of social struggles that our kids experience, including the difficulties that pre-teens and teens with ADHD, learning disabilities, and anxiety disorders may have. We offer hands-on guidance as to how best to help your kids when they are having trouble fitting in with their peers and managing social situations. We hope you can join us!Contact us at: beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Dating, Curfews and Other Dicey Topics

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 25:54


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! This episode focuses on helping parents survive the storm of adolescence by focusing on limit-setting around curfews, dating and other tricky topics. We share stories from our lives and our offices and offer hands-on guidance around limit-setting that focuses on your values rather than your anxiety. We discuss questions such as when to allow your teen to go into the city with friends, how to set an appropriate curfew and manage the inevitable curfew violations, and how to respond to your teen's alcohol and drug use when they are out with friends. Please join us!Contact us at: beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Understanding Disordered Eating in Children and Adolescents

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 30:59


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard!  Pediatrician Dr. Maggie Chalson joins us in this episode to discuss disordered eating in children and teenagers.  Problems such as a distorted body image, feelings of self-hate related to one's appearance, restricting food intake, overeating, and full-blown eating disorders all plague today's children and adolescents.  Social media and many parents' preoccupation with their own weight and appearance all serve to stress and pressure our kids.  Dr. Chalson shares stories from her pediatric practice and offers valuable insights and strategies to identify, understand and address disordered eating. Please join us! We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.Contact us at:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    When Parents Disagree

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 22:53


    Welcome to Being A Parent is Hard. Step into our office as we discuss the thorny issue of how best to manage parenting disagreements. We will be talking about why it is inevitable that parents will disagree about child-rearing issues. We will explore how you and your partner can serve the best interest of your children and protect your relationshiip when tackling these disagreements. From disagreeing on methods of disciplilne to differing views about gradually giving your teenager more freedom and responsibility, parenting disagreements require thoughtfulness, patience, and good communication. Please join us. Contact us at:beingapersonishardpodcast@gmail.com  

    OCD in Kids: What it Is and What it Isn't

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 30:39


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Join us as we talk about the signs and symptoms of OCD in both kids and parents. Did you ever wonder why your child has to do things in a particular order, repeatedly asks the same question, or relentlessly insists that you phrase something a certain way? We share clinical stories about the nature and treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and help parents distinguish between a headstrong kid and one who is rigid, anxious, and in need of therapy. We will also discuss hands on strategies for helping our children and teenagers manage the stressful and sometimes, infuriating symptoms of OCD. We hope you can join us! We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.Contact us at:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    When is it Time to Talk about Medication?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 26:59


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! When kids are struggling with painful symptoms of anxiety, depression or ADHD, parents often ask whether they should be considering medication for their child. In this episode, we offer insight and guidance about when a consultation for medication is indicated. We share clinical stories, concrete information, and hands-on advice about the pros and cons of different kinds of medication and when they should be considered. We hope you can join us! We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.Contact us at: beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Exercise and Kids: A Family Affair

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 28:08


    Welcome to our latest episode of Being A Parent is Hard! This episode focuses importance of exercise for children and teens. Our special guest Rocky Ribacoff, a personal trainer, group fitness coordinator, and nutrition coach, offers us invaluable information about the different types of exercise for kids of different ages. And she offers us some hands-on advice about how best to help our kids enjoy and integrate exercise and good nutrition into their busy lives. Please join us! We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Overcast

    When They Come Home: Surviving the College Break

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 26:36


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Pease join us for our latest episode, "When They Come Home: Surviving the College Break". Our college students come home on break after living independently-without the rules, structure, hands-on nurturance and guidance that were in place for the first eighteen or so years of their ives. Re-entering the family system as more autonomous humans, coupled with the inevitable pull of old parent/child and family dynamics, can make this a challenging time. From renegotiating the concept of a curfew to understanding new aspects of your kid's identity, we will tackle it all. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Overcast.Contact us at:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    The Challenge of Being a Good Role Model

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 27:56


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! In this episode we share stories from our homes and our offices about the challenge of being a good role model for our kids. Authenticity, boundaries, and the ability for transparent communication are all essential qualities in being a good role model. But we are also human and have many conflicting and intense feelings. Join us as we navigate the choppy waters of being a good role model, especially in these trying times.Contact us at:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Helping Teens Manage Strong Emotions: Tips from Dialectical Behavior Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 32:32


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Does your teen struggle with managing their intense emotions? Do they tend to react with rage or manage their feelings with drugs, alcohol, food or even sexual behavior? Please join us and our special guest Dr. Aaron Drucker to learn about the tools and techniques of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. He offers insights and hands-on strategies to help you and your teenager communicate more effectively and better manage conflicts and the intense emotions that often accompany them. Please join us! We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Overcast.Contact us at: beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    You Can't Make Me! Understanding and Managing Oppositional Behavior

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 30:23


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Join us as we talk about why children and teenagers become oppositional and how to best manage their frustrating, sometime enraging behavior. We will share personal and clinical stories and offer both insights and hands-on advice. We can be found on Apple Podcast, Overcast, and Spotify.

    So, Your Kid is Applying to College: Survival Strategies for Parents and Teens

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 32:06


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! In this episode we talk about strategies to help parents help their kids get through the college application process. From deciding where they should apply to helping teens take ownership of this long and stressful process-this episode addresses it all. Learn how to turn this difficult time into a learning experience for your teen in which they hone their motivation, organization, communication, and planning skills- all strengths that they will need in college. Join us as we share stories and insights about the emotional pressures for both parents and teens during the application process and offer tips for getting through this challenging time together. We hope you can join us!Contact us at: beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Feeling Overwhelmed-Join Our Very Large Club!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 30:42


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Are you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted much of the time? Maybe you are even feeling that your wants and needs never make it to the to-do list. And you can't remember where you put the list anyway! Life is super busy for parents and there are no easy answers. But it does help to talk about it and muddle through together. Join us as we share stories and strategies for managing the stress of being a parent while also trying to be a person.Contact us at:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Surviving Sibling Rivalry

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 29:17


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! In this episode we tackle the complicated issue of sibling rivalry. What are forces that intensify competition and envy among siblings and what are the conditions that encourage closeness and attachment? Join us as we talk about understanding and managing the powerful influence of sibling rivalry in our lives and in the lives of our children.Contact us at:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    OMG- It's September Already:Managing Back-to-School Stress

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 31:27


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Are your kids nervous about the new school year? Are they having trouble sleeping or are they extra cranky? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by your new scheduling, childcare, and chauffeuring responsibilities? Step into our office as we offer stories, insights, and strategies to help you and your children manage back-to-school stress. Please join us! We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.Contact us at:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Juggling Priorities: Raising Busy Families in 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 26:48


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Step into our office as we tackle the challenge of juggling priorities as we raise busy families. We run ourselves ragged trying to meet each child's needs, our family's needs, our partner's needs, and maybe even our own needs. We talk about the pros and cons of over-scheduling, and focus on strategies for managing this issue most effectively. Please join us for a discussion of how we juggle our priorities, a challenge that is synonymous with raising a family in 2024. We can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Overcast.Contact us at:beingaparentishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Social Media Struggles: Helping Kids Navigate the Risks and Rewards

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 39:06


    Welcome to "Being a Parent is Hard!" Are you concerned about your child's exposure to social media? Do you worry about the social pressures and potential safety risks that social media can pose? Please join us and our special guest, Dr. Jamie Lanzilotta, as we take a close look at the pros and cons of social media and how we can best help our kids navigate the challenges that social media presents. We hope you will tune in. We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.

    Meltdowns at the Mall: Helping Kids Manage Anger

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 31:24


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Does your teenager always seem angry with you? Is your child prone to throwing fits when they don't get their way? Please join us for our latest podcast,"Meltdowns at the Mall: Helping Kids Manage Anger". Anger is a normal and healthy emotion, but one that needs to be expressed in a productive-or at least not destructive way. We offer psychological insights and hands-on advice to help both parents and kids learn to better manage and communicate their anger. We hope you will tune in. We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.Contact us at: beingaparentishard@gmail.com

    Understanding and Managing Bedtime Battles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 26:41


    Does your child or teen have difficulty settling down at night and going to sleep? Are both of you exhausted from the endless ploys to stay up later and battles around bedtime? Tune in to understand why settling down and going to sleep is so difficult for some children and teens. We cover hands-on strategies to help your kids and you avoid these battles and get the sleep you need. Please join us! We are on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.

    Understanding ADHD in Children and Teens

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 31:02


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Join us as we talk about how ADHD affects a child's ability to function in the classroom, fit in with their peers, and develop sound self-esteem. We offer strategies to manage the challenges of living with ADHD for parents and kids, as well as ways to unleash the superpowers that children and teens with ADHD often have. Please tune in for a deeper understanding of ADHD and some actionable advice.Contact us at: beingaparentishard@gmail.com

    Why Do Kids Lie?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 29:31


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Step into our office as we talk about the very complicated issue of lying in childhood and adolescence. We will cover what lying may mean and how best to respond at different stages of development. Please join us for a deep dive into helping our kids learn to be honest with us.

    Learning to Let Go as Our Kids Get Older: Strategies for Parents

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 25:10


    Welcome to "Being a Parent is Hard!" In this. episode, we focus on the challenge of letting go as our children get older. From putting them on the kindergarten bus to helping them successfully launch in college, we cover it all. Join us as we talk about the emotional and practical challenges we face as our job as parents changes dramatically. Join us for some heartfelt talk and actionable advice.

    Understanding Teenage Moodiness & Depression

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 29:29


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Step into our office as we talk about the many faces of teenage moodiness and depression. Whether you are seeing sadness, irritability, decreased motivation, disordered eating or substance use, we focus on what is normal in adolescence and what feelings and behaviors are cause for concern. We also offer parents tips to better help their teens understand and manage their sad and angry moods. Please join us!

    Food, Weight, and Crazy Messages

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 30:02


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! In this episode we tackle the thorny issues of food and weight, and we look at the crazy messages that we have all received about both. Toxic messages about food and weight permeate our homes and our culture and undermine both physical and emotional health. Tune in as we identify and debunk these messages. We will reframe our understanding of food and weight with a focus on health, enjoyment and working together as a family. Please join us!

    Sometimes We Are The Anxious Ones

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 32:35


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard! Step into our office as we discuss what happens when we're the ones struggling with anxiety, insecurity and even anger in our role as parents. Has your teenager's attitude ever made you see red? Have you ever felt mortified at your five year old's meltdown at the mall? Are you anxious about your college student and dating, drinking, and drugs? We will share stories and suggestions about managing these very human and very overwhelming feelngs. Please join us!

    Helping Kids Manage Anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 31:10


    Being a parent is hard! Step into our office as we explore how to help our children and teenagers when they are struggling with anxiety. We discuss common sources of stress and anxiety and the different, sometimes surpising ways our kids may be expressing their struggles. Perhaps most importantly, we share hands-on strategies and tools for kids to use when they are feeling stressed or anxious. Please join us!

    The Do's and Don'ts of Discipline

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 21:29


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard. Step into our office as we talk about the all-important topic of discipline. We understand discipline as a means of keeping our children safe, sculpting their moral development. and helping our homes run in a safer, saner, and more manageable way. Done well, discipline helps our kids feel more secure and become independent, empathic and successful humans. Please join us!

    Pressure-Cooker Kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2024 18:22


    Being a Parent is Hard! Step into our office as we discuss the intense academic and social pressure to perform and to conform that our kids face today. We will talk about the toxic effects of these pressures as they play out in school, on social media, and even on the athletic field. We will also explore ways we can help our kids cope with and navigate the pressure that is all around them. Please join us! Contact us at:beingapersonishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Battling Bullying

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2024 28:34


    Welcome to Being a Parent is Hard: Battling Bullying. Step into our office as we tackle the very painful issue of bullying. We will be sharing stories from our own practices, including ways in which we help kids learn to respond when they are being bullied or excluded by peers, and strategies for parents to use when their child is being bullied. Please join us!

    Welcome To our Office

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2023 33:58


    Parenting is a challenging journey filled with obstacles and dilemmas. Like many parents, do you struggle to understand and meet your child's ever-changing emotional needs and shifting moods? Have you ever wondered what kind of advice a therapist would offer for the issues that you and your family are struggling with? Our first episode introduces the wide variety of concerns that parents and children bring into the psychotherapy office and our ideas about how parents can approach the very difficult of job parenting to best help their kids. Please join us! Contact us at: beingapersonishardpodcast@gmail.com

    Claim Being A Parent Is Hard!

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel