Exceptional Parenting Podcast

Content warning: This podcast discusses sensitive topics related to mental health, such as severe major depression, self-harm, and suicide or suicidal ideation. We encourage you to care for your safety and well-being. If you or someone close to you may be in crisis, or simply needs support, we encourage you to reach out to a health or mental health professional. If you believe that you or a loved one may be in immediate danger, call 911.When your child is experiencing symptoms of severe major depression, having suicidal ideations, or engaging in self-harming behaviors, it may feel as if your entire world is being upended. Much of your time and energy will be directed toward helping them heal; but your own well-being is also an important component of the healing journey. Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, has a candid discussion with author, special needs advocate, certified mind-body coach, and mother of three, Deborah Blackwell, about how to help yourself and other family members feel safer and more grounded when a child is facing a mental health crisis. As someone who has been there, Deborah offers deep insights about the perspectives that are – and are not – most helpful when a child is struggling and how to build on rare moments of clarity, grace, or even beauty, among otherwise horrible circumstances. About Our Guest:Deborah Blackwell is a writer, special needs advocate and certified mind-body life coach devoted to helping others conquer adversity and discover the hidden wisdom found in everyday life. Inspired by her own courageous journey through trauma, her forthcoming book is an insightful story of one woman's determination to welcome truth, expand knowledge, and embrace joy. She also writes for The Harvard Gazette, and contributes to Torchlight's digital platform. Deborah is married to her kindred spirit and raised three sons, one on the autism spectrum. She is a longtime practicing yogi, passionate about global health, well-being, and happiness. Learn more about her at https://deborahblackwell.com.*Torchlight does not provide medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you read on Torchlight. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911.

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) is a U.S. law that requires covered employers to provide employees with protected, unpaid leave for certain medical and family reasons. Yet, many Americans are unsure of the ways in which FMLA could make a significant difference in their ability to meet parenting or caregiving responsibilities as a working person. Join Torchlight host Stefanie Boucher for a conversation with Teri Weber, a partner and Senior Vice President at Spring Consulting group and subject matter expert on employee benefits and absence management programs, including FMLA. In this episode, you'll learn about:•FMLA basics, including who is eligible to use FMLA and what criteria must be met;•How to talk to your employer about using FMLA to meet medical or family needs;•What to do if you're getting resistance from your employer; and,•More!About Our Guest:Teri Weber is a partner and Senior Vice President with Spring Consulting Group. She has over 15 years of experience in health and welfare plan strategy, design, and implementation. In addition, she is a subject matter expert on absence management programs, including disability, family medical leave, and leave of absence tracking. Her areas of expertise have allowed her to work with diverse employers and vendors to streamline processes and programs to meet the needs of both employers and employees. Teri holds a BS from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts.

Are you caring for a seriously ill loved one? If so, perhaps there are moments when you feel overwhelmed or even powerless as you try to get (and give) your loved one the best possible care. In this episode, join Torchlight hosts Lenore Tracey and Stefanie Boucher for a conversation with Erin Mulqueen Galyean, author of Badass Advocate: Becoming the Champion Your Seriously Ill Loved One Deserves. Whether your child or loved one is hospitalized or at home, listen to learn how to:- Build a support team for you and the patient and ask for help when you need it;- Overcome fear of authority figures and ask doctors effective questions;- Balance self-care with patient care; and,- More!About Our Guest:Erin Mulqueen Galyean is an author and speaker who trains sales professionals in effective communication with healthcare providers. She lost her father to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1997 and her sister to a rare lung disease in 2018. Fueled by these heartbreaking experiences, Erin helps others become powerful advocates for the seriously ill loved ones in their lives.

When Kate Washington sailed into her 40s, she had no expectation of the disaster that was about to strike. She had a Ph.D. in Victorian literature, a successful career as a freelance writer, and was raising two young daughters in sunny California alongside her husband, Brad. In her own words, it was a nice life. Then, Brad was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer that led to a string of health crises and turned the trajectory of her family's existence upside down. Kate, already carrying a heavy mental load within the household, was suddenly thrust into the role of an unpaid family caregiver for her husband.In this episode of Torchlight's Exceptional Parenting Podcast, join host Stefanie Boucher for a candid discussion with Kate about her experiences as a “sandwiched” caregiver trying to take care of it all – children, spouse, home, career – while coming to grips an increasingly urgent level of caregiver burnout. We'll also discuss Kate's recent book, Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America, which chronicles her family's journey and highlights the distressingly inadequate systems that support American families when serious illness strikes. Tune in as she shares how the experience both enlightened and changed her, how she helped her children cope with the difficult reality of having a parent in need of care, and the best ways to help a friend or family member who is in a caregiving role or living through a crisis.About Our Guest:Kate Washington is a writer in Northern California. Her book Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America (Beacon Press, March 2021) shines a stark light on the experience of family caregivers. Largely left on their own to navigate the medical, insurance, work, and social support systems involved when a loved one becomes ill, caregivers are ill prepared and unsupported as they struggle to manage family and work responsibilities. With 53 million family caregivers in (Caregiving in the U.S. 2020, National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP), Already Toast is a must read for family caregivers, health care and social support workers, and policy makers. Visit Kate's website at https://www.kawashington.com/already-toast.html.

Most people know that sleep is essential to good health. But what you might not know is that most Americans (about 60 to 80 percent of us, including our children and teens) aren’t getting nearly enough of it - not by a long shot. And that’s a big deal. Studies show that insufficient sleep can lead to poorer health outcomes and quality of life, an increased risk of accidents, diminished productivity, and even an inhibited ability to learn and solve problems. Fortunately, whether you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or simply stay up too late at night, most sleep problems are treatable. In this episode, join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and Eldercare Illuminated host Lenore Tracey as they discuss the beauty and importance of sleep - and the little known secrets to getting a good night’s rest - with clinical sleep educator and behavioral sleep therapist, Rick Clerici. You’ll find out how to use your body’s natural sleep pattern to maximize rest, how to begin preparing your body for sleep from the moment you wake up in the morning, and what to try if parenting or caregiving responsibilities are making sleep difficult.About Our Guest:Rick Clerici is a Clinical Sleep Educator and Behavioral Sleep Therapist. As the co-founder of Clear Mind Systems, Rick develops corporate sleep wellness programs, lectures in corporate and university settings nationwide, and serves as Sleep Educator for four major employee assistance programs in Massachusetts. As a personal sleep coach, he and his practice have helped thousands of individuals in all age groups get a better night’s sleep. Learn more about Rick Clerici and his work by visiting http://www.clearmindsystems.net/.

Have you or your child been feeling anxious, sad, or stressed since the onset of the pandemic? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, recent studies show that around a third of Americans report symptoms of anxiety or depression. Social isolation, the looming threat of COVID-19, lost jobs, remote education, and political unrest have taken an emotional toll on almost everyone. And, to compound matters, there is the additional stressor of not knowing how long our current situation will last! But could these ongoing disruptions to our daily lives result in lasting trauma or are we simply stressed out? Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and adolescent counselor Sal Caraviello for a conversation about stress and its unwelcome cousins, trauma and micro-trauma. In this episode, you’ll learn how trauma and chronic stress are related, find out how our children and teens are coping with the events of 2020, and get tips for helping your child persevere.About Our Guest:Salvatore Caraviello, M.Ed, MAPM, has been working with adolescents for more than 30 years. As a former teacher, administrator, coach, counselor, and youth minister, Sal has unique insights into the concerns of modern youth and has worked tirelessly to help thousands of children and families find success, balance, and happiness in all areas of their lives. In 2015, Sal was named Winchester, Massachusetts’ Citizen of the Year. He was the first non-resident to ever be selected.

Are you struggling to decide whether your child should attend school in-person or remotely this fall? Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and Eldercare Illuminated podcast host Lenore Tracey for an in-depth discussion about the considerations parents are facing for the 2020-21 school year. In this episode, we’ll provide:•An overview of the most common learning and attendance models taking shape right now•Practical suggestions about how to make the “best” decision for your family•How to let go of stress or guilt, no matter which path you take•Tips for how to make in-person learning safer for your childAbout Our Guests:Stefanie Boucher is Torchlight’s Senior Content Developer and host of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast. A writer and editor, she has spent nearly two decades producing multi-media content for children, parents, students and teachers while raising children in the midst of a fast-pace culture that won't stop moving. In her current role, she offers families practical strategies for modern parenting, including how to balance health and well-being with the allure and necessity of modern technology and life.Lenore Tracey is the Eldercare Practice Leader at Torchlight. For more than a decade, Lenore has been consulting and writing about caregiving issues, care for the caregiver, and family dynamics. She has contributed her expertise to long-term care content and website development for several government projects making eldercare information accessible to caregivers and individuals planning for their own futures. Lenore brings to her work deep personal experience as both a long-distance and local caregiver for elderly loved ones with Alzheimer's and other complex medical issues. She is a graduate of Tufts University.Outside Resources:School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/back-to-school-decision-checklist.pdfCenter on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports: https://www.pbis.org/utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Q & A:https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions#39

Are you struggling to decide whether your child should attend school in-person or remotely this fall? Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and Eldercare Illuminated podcast host Lenore Tracey for an in-depth discussion about the considerations parents are facing for the 2020-21 school year. In this episode, we’ll provide:•An overview of the most common learning and attendance models taking shape right now•Practical suggestions about how to make the “best” decision for your family•How to let go of stress or guilt, no matter which path you take•Tips for how to make in-person learning safer for your childAbout Our Guests:Stefanie Boucher is Torchlight’s Senior Content Developer and host of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast. A writer and editor, she has spent nearly two decades producing multi-media content for children, parents, students and teachers while raising children in the midst of a fast-pace culture that won't stop moving. In her current role, she offers families practical strategies for modern parenting, including how to balance health and well-being with the allure and necessity of modern technology and life.Lenore Tracey is the Eldercare Practice Leader at Torchlight. For more than a decade, Lenore has been consulting and writing about caregiving issues, care for the caregiver, and family dynamics. She has contributed her expertise to long-term care content and website development for several government projects making eldercare information accessible to caregivers and individuals planning for their own futures. Lenore brings to her work deep personal experience as both a long-distance and local caregiver for elderly loved ones with Alzheimer's and other complex medical issues. She is a graduate of Tufts University.Outside Resources:School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/back-to-school-decision-checklist.pdfCenter on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports: https://www.pbis.org/utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Q & A:https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions#39

As if the coronavirus pandemic were not bad enough, it has spawned another epidemic. Testing and treatment scams, product delivery scams, tax identity theft, and a multitude of new and creative ways to get people to divulge private information or click on sites that load malware, ransomware, and other dangerous software onto their devices are on the rise. As our guest, Steve Weisman says, “Things aren’t as bad as you think, they are far worse.” But don’t despair. Steve joins Torchlight’s Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, and Eldercare Illuminated host, Lenore Tracey, and for a discussion of what to beware of and how to avoid the clever ways these thieves seek to undermine our digital security. Steve alerts us to attacks and identity theft based on use of websites and apps targeted at students, younger children, seniors, and employees; he offers some surprising insights about how criminals are exploiting the tools and applications we use every day.Steve has helpful strategies to share for all of us — adults and kids of all ages. Check out his website, Scamicide.com, for regular updates on new scams and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.About Our Guest:Steve Weisman, JD is an attorney admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, college professor at Bentley University, and nationally recognized expert on scams, identity theft and cybersecurity. He appears regularly in the media to share his knowledge and ideas for staying one step ahead of the bad guys.You can find Steve’s books on retirement planning and digital security on Amazon. Learn more about identity theft attacks based on use of Facebook, iPad, iPhone, Android, cloud apps, iPod, and other new technologies — and shows you how to protect yourself, or how to fix the damage if you've already been attacked!

As if the coronavirus pandemic were not bad enough, it has spawned another epidemic. Testing and treatment scams, product delivery scams, tax identity theft, and a multitude of new and creative ways to get people to divulge private information or click on sites that load malware, ransomware, and other dangerous software onto their devices are on the rise. As our guest, Steve Weisman says, “Things aren’t as bad as you think, they are far worse.” But don’t despair. Steve joins Torchlight’s Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, and Eldercare Illuminated host, Lenore Tracey, and for a discussion of what to beware of and how to avoid the clever ways these thieves seek to undermine our digital security. Steve alerts us to attacks and identity theft based on use of websites and apps targeted at students, younger children, seniors, and employees; he offers some surprising insights about how criminals are exploiting the tools and applications we use every day.Steve has helpful strategies to share for all of us — adults and kids of all ages. Check out his website, Scamicide.com, for regular updates on new scams and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.About Our Guest:Steve Weisman, JD is an attorney admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, college professor at Bentley University, and nationally recognized expert on scams, identity theft and cybersecurity. He appears regularly in the media to share his knowledge and ideas for staying one step ahead of the bad guys.You can find Steve’s books on retirement planning and digital security on Amazon. Learn more about identity theft attacks based on use of Facebook, iPad, iPhone, Android, cloud apps, iPod, and other new technologies — and shows you how to protect yourself, or how to fix the damage if you've already been attacked!

You probably know the drill. It begins the moment you ask your child to do something. "Please pick up your shoes." "Start your homework." "Feed the dog." But instead of being met with the eager cooperation that parents everywhere dream of, you’re met with the same familiar response. "Hang on." "I’ll do it later." "In a minute." Of course, in kid-speak a “minute” rarely turns out to be just a minute. And occasionally, it seems (to parents, at least) like code for "I don’t want to do that at all." And so your child or teen may wait until the last possible minute to complete the requested task (often with much nagging or pleading involved), leaving one or both of you frustrated or upset. Procrastination has struck again! How can you help foster a more positive (and productive) outcome for you and your child? Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher for a timely discussion with public speaker, coach, and executive functioning expert Leslie Josel about the most common reasons why children, and many adults, put off doing the inevitable (note: it’s not always what you might think) and how we, as parents, can use some simple techniques to help them build the skills they need to get things done.About Our Guest:Leslie Josel is a respected resource on ADHD and Executive Functioning in students. She launched Order Out of Chaos® in 2004 after her son was diagnosed with ADHD, executive dysfunction and other learning differences, and is the creator of the award-winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management. In addition to authoring What’s the Deal with Teens and Time Management: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teen Succeed (2015), her work and writing are regularly featured in ADDitude Magazine and Family Circle. Leslie is also a public speaker; she conducts workshops in the U.S. and internationally.

You probably know the drill. It begins the moment you ask your child to do something. "Please pick up your shoes." "Start your homework." "Feed the dog." But instead of being met with the eager cooperation that parents everywhere dream of, you’re met with the same familiar response. "Hang on." "I’ll do it later." "In a minute." Of course, in kid-speak a “minute” rarely turns out to be just a minute. And occasionally, it seems (to parents, at least) like code for "I don’t want to do that at all." And so your child or teen may wait until the last possible minute to complete the requested task (often with much nagging or pleading involved), leaving one or both of you frustrated or upset. Procrastination has struck again! How can you help foster a more positive (and productive) outcome for you and your child? Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher for a timely discussion with public speaker, coach, and executive functioning expert Leslie Josel about the most common reasons why children, and many adults, put off doing the inevitable (note: it’s not always what you might think) and how we, as parents, can use some simple techniques to help them build the skills they need to get things done.About Our Guest:Leslie Josel is a respected resource on ADHD and Executive Functioning in students. She launched Order Out of Chaos® in 2004 after her son was diagnosed with ADHD, executive dysfunction and other learning differences, and is the creator of the award-winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management. In addition to authoring What’s the Deal with Teens and Time Management: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teen Succeed (2015), her work and writing are regularly featured in ADDitude Magazine and Family Circle. Leslie is also a public speaker; she conducts workshops in the U.S. and internationally.

Your child wasn’t supposed to be home until summer. Not long ago, s/he was away at college, enjoying the freedoms and privileges that come with young adult life. Then came a pandemic. Campuses across the country shut down, moved classes online, and sent the students home – to their parents! Our young people have lost a lot, and they lost it quickly. Many of them are grieving. You may be grieving, too. And you may also have many questions about how to successfully live with your young adult child when neither of you was planning to do so. Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and Stacey Harris, J.D., Assistant Director of Disability and Access Services at Boston University, for a candid discussion about improving family dynamics and relationships with young adult children during the coronavirus pandemic. In this episode, you’ll get helpful tips on how to talk to your child about what s/he’s lost, make compromises, structure your living space so that it works well for everyone, and help your child find perspective during these challenging times. Have a child in high school? You’ll also learn what some colleges and universities may do differently for next year’s applicants and incoming freshmen.About Our Guest:Stacey Harris, J.D., is the Associate Director for Disability and Access Services at Boston University, where she has been working directly with students and their families since 2008. As a certified mediator, she co-runs a student mediation program for students across the university, teaches classes, and provides ongoing technical assistance to offices around the university on disability compliance and technical standards.

Your child wasn’t supposed to be home until summer. Not long ago, s/he was away at college, enjoying the freedoms and privileges that come with young adult life. Then came a pandemic. Campuses across the country shut down, moved classes online, and sent the students home – to their parents! Our young people have lost a lot, and they lost it quickly. Many of them are grieving. You may be grieving, too. And you may also have many questions about how to successfully live with your young adult child when neither of you was planning to do so. Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and Stacey Harris, J.D., Assistant Director of Disability and Access Services at Boston University, for a candid discussion about improving family dynamics and relationships with young adult children during the coronavirus pandemic. In this episode, you’ll get helpful tips on how to talk to your child about what s/he’s lost, make compromises, structure your living space so that it works well for everyone, and help your child find perspective during these challenging times. Have a child in high school? You’ll also learn what some colleges and universities may do differently for next year’s applicants and incoming freshmen.About Our Guest:Stacey Harris, J.D., is the Associate Director for Disability and Access Services at Boston University, where she has been working directly with students and their families since 2008. As a certified mediator, she co-runs a student mediation program for students across the university, teaches classes, and provides ongoing technical assistance to offices around the university on disability compliance and technical standards.

In the wake of school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, parents everywhere are left wondering how to help their children navigate the new reality of distance learning. The good news? It’s the 21st century, and technology can help! The bad news? Remote K-12 learning is entirely new for most families, and trying new things can feel daunting even in the best of times (let alone during a crisis). You may be wondering, for example: Is the school doing enough? Should I be doing more to ensure that my child continues learning? Will using technology and/or electronic devices to learn and work help my child or create more distractions? And how do I manage this while I’m working?Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher for a lively discussion with digital parenting expert Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov about how to use technology to enhance your child’s distance learning experience. In this episode, you’ll find out:- How to find “good fit” online learning resources and apps for your child- How to keep your child from getting distracted by technology during learning hours- How to manage your child’s screen time when you’re busy working- How to balance “educational” screen time with “leisure” screen time - When to be flexible during these highly unusual timesAbout Our Guest:Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov is a mom to two tech-savvy little boys, a lawyer, law professor, and eSafety consultant whose core work involves researching solutions for parenting in the digital age. She is a member of the Working Group of Experts on Digital Citizenship Education, an independent expert on Digital Parenting and Children and Internet for the Children’s Rights Division of Council of Europe, and an advisor on European Cooperation and International Projects for e-Enfance, a French online child protection association providing support to parents and children in the digital age. Dr. Milovidov has authored several guides and workbooks for parents, moderates a Facebook community for parents (called The Digital Parenting Community) and is the founder of DigitalParentingCoach.com, a website and community with resources for parents.

In the wake of school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, parents everywhere are left wondering how to help their children navigate the new reality of distance learning. The good news? It’s the 21st century, and technology can help! The bad news? Remote K-12 learning is entirely new for most families, and trying new things can feel daunting even in the best of times (let alone during a crisis). You may be wondering, for example: Is the school doing enough? Should I be doing more to ensure that my child continues learning? Will using technology and/or electronic devices to learn and work help my child or create more distractions? And how do I manage this while I’m working?Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher for a lively discussion with digital parenting expert Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov about how to use technology to enhance your child’s distance learning experience. In this episode, you’ll find out:- How to find “good fit” online learning resources and apps for your child- How to keep your child from getting distracted by technology during learning hours- How to manage your child’s screen time when you’re busy working- How to balance “educational” screen time with “leisure” screen time - When to be flexible during these highly unusual timesAbout Our Guest:Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov is a mom to two tech-savvy little boys, a lawyer, law professor, and eSafety consultant whose core work involves researching solutions for parenting in the digital age. She is a member of the Working Group of Experts on Digital Citizenship Education, an independent expert on Digital Parenting and Children and Internet for the Children’s Rights Division of Council of Europe, and an advisor on European Cooperation and International Projects for e-Enfance, a French online child protection association providing support to parents and children in the digital age. Dr. Milovidov has authored several guides and workbooks for parents, moderates a Facebook community for parents (called The Digital Parenting Community) and is the founder of DigitalParentingCoach.com, a website and community with resources for parents.

With schools now closed for more than two-thirds of children across the nation because of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of American families are facing a brand-new reality: daily life without traditional school, organized sports and activities, and a nearly empty family schedule. And while these monumental shifts are not without plenty of challenges for families, there is one thing that may improve for children in the coming weeks: they may finally have time to play outside again!Back by popular demand (and one of our most popular episodes to date), host Stefanie Boucher, speaks with pediatric occupational therapist, international speaker, Timbernook founder, and author Angela Hanscom about how unrestrained physical movement and outdoor play are vital for your child’s cognitive and physical development - and why a lack of it may be (at least partly) to blame for today’s epidemic levels of attention deficits, as well as sensory and emotional disorders. Find out how much outdoor play kids really need, and get helpful tips for ensuring they get enough.About Our Guest:Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of TimberNook – an award-winning nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy, and an undergraduate degree in kinesiology (the study of movement) with a concentration in health fitness. Angela’s book, Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016) discusses the effects of restricted movement and lack of outdoor playtime on overall sensory and motor development in children. Angela keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians all over the world. She and her work have been featured in Glamour magazine, The Washington Post, NPR, and Johnson & Johnson TEDx.Don't miss these great resources from Angela Hanscom!Hanscom, Angela. Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016). Hanscom, Angela. "The Real Reason Children Fidget - And What to Do About It." YouTube video, 25 Sep, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXLaoDucF0k.TimberNook (outdoor/nature experiences for children), https://www.timbernook.com

With schools now closed for more than two-thirds of children across the nation because of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of American families are facing a brand-new reality: daily life without traditional school, organized sports and activities, and a nearly empty family schedule. And while these monumental shifts are not without plenty of challenges for families, there is one thing that may improve for children in the coming weeks: they may finally have time to play outside again!Back by popular demand (and one of our most popular episodes to date), host Stefanie Boucher, speaks with pediatric occupational therapist, international speaker, Timbernook founder, and author Angela Hanscom about how unrestrained physical movement and outdoor play are vital for your child’s cognitive and physical development - and why a lack of it may be (at least partly) to blame for today’s epidemic levels of attention deficits, as well as sensory and emotional disorders. Find out how much outdoor play kids really need, and get helpful tips for ensuring they get enough.About Our Guest:Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of TimberNook – an award-winning nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy, and an undergraduate degree in kinesiology (the study of movement) with a concentration in health fitness. Angela’s book, Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016) discusses the effects of restricted movement and lack of outdoor playtime on overall sensory and motor development in children. Angela keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians all over the world. She and her work have been featured in Glamour magazine, The Washington Post, NPR, and Johnson & Johnson TEDx.Don't miss these great resources from Angela Hanscom!Hanscom, Angela. Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016). Hanscom, Angela. "The Real Reason Children Fidget - And What to Do About It." YouTube video, 25 Sep, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXLaoDucF0k.TimberNook (outdoor/nature experiences for children), https://www.timbernook.com

Do you struggle to get your child to try new foods? Does your child prefer just a few foods, while avoiding most others? Are you frequently worried that s/he isn’t receiving the nourishment needed to grow and thrive? If family mealtimes have become frustrating or miserable for all involved, join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher for a heartening discussion with Dr. Katja Rowell, M.D. Dubbed “the feeding doctor,” Rowell believes that HOW children are fed is the missing piece in addressing disordered eating and feeding. In this episode, Dr. Rowell has suggestions for dealing with a range of selective eating behaviors, including more typical “picky” eating, extreme picky eating, and disordered eating related to sensory challenges, disabilities, fear, or health conditions.About Our Guest: Katja Rowell, M.D. is a graduate of the University of Michigan medical school and served as a family physician in urban, rural, and university student health settings. During her time in practice, she was struck by the prevalence of disordered eating and feeding, and related health problems. Rowell believes in establishing a healthy feeding relationship, and teaches about its importance to health care providers, family therapists and childcare staff, and consults with corporate clients, nutrition education and public health providers. She has appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Betty Crocker Blog, Parents Magazine, Kare 11 TV, Brain Child Magazine, The Utne Reader, Twin Cities Live and Mommy MD Guides, among others. Her writing has appeared in LiveWell Digest, Huffingtonpost Parenting blogs, New Moon Girls Magazine, and Adoptive Families Magazine.

Do you struggle to get your child to try new foods? Does your child prefer just a few foods, while avoiding most others? Are you frequently worried that s/he isn’t receiving the nourishment needed to grow and thrive? If family mealtimes have become frustrating or miserable for all involved, join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher for a heartening discussion with Dr. Katja Rowell, M.D. Dubbed “the feeding doctor,” Rowell believes that HOW children are fed is the missing piece in addressing disordered eating and feeding. In this episode, Dr. Rowell has suggestions for dealing with a range of selective eating behaviors, including more typical “picky” eating, extreme picky eating, and disordered eating related to sensory challenges, disabilities, fear, or health conditions.About Our Guest: Katja Rowell, M.D. is a graduate of the University of Michigan medical school and served as a family physician in urban, rural, and university student health settings. During her time in practice, she was struck by the prevalence of disordered eating and feeding, and related health problems. Rowell believes in establishing a healthy feeding relationship, and teaches about its importance to health care providers, family therapists and childcare staff, and consults with corporate clients, nutrition education and public health providers. She has appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Betty Crocker Blog, Parents Magazine, Kare 11 TV, Brain Child Magazine, The Utne Reader, Twin Cities Live and Mommy MD Guides, among others. Her writing has appeared in LiveWell Digest, Huffingtonpost Parenting blogs, New Moon Girls Magazine, and Adoptive Families Magazine.

Having worries about your child’s future is a natural part of parenthood. But for parents raising a child with an intellectual or developmental disability, life can present a larger-than-average number of unanswered questions:Will my child be able to learn the skills needed to live independently? Will s/he be able to find (and keep) a job? Will s/ he find enjoyable ways of offering her gifts to the larger community?Will s/he be okay someday when I’m no longer here? In this episode of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with Waverly Ann Harris, CEO of Friends Life Community, about the things parents can do at all ages and stages to support their child’s independence and community engagement. You’ll learn:-Which barriers families commonly face and how to navigate them-How working with a job coach may be beneficial for your child-How to resolve conflicts with independence-seeking kids -How and where to look for support for you and your childAbout Our Guest:Waverly Ann Harris, M.S. Ed. is the CEO at Friends Life Community, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for teenagers and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Nashville, Tennessee, through three main program areas: service learning and employment, life skills, and advocacy through the arts.Waverly Ann has diverse nonprofit experience, both nationally and internationally, in human services. With a master’s degree from Lipscomb University in Applied Behavior Analysis, Waverly Ann has consulted with families and companies to design systems that promote inclusion, decrease dependency, increase innovation, and change culture around disability services.

Having worries about your child’s future is a natural part of parenthood. But for parents raising a child with an intellectual or developmental disability, life can present a larger-than-average number of unanswered questions:Will my child be able to learn the skills needed to live independently? Will s/he be able to find (and keep) a job? Will s/ he find enjoyable ways of offering her gifts to the larger community?Will s/he be okay someday when I’m no longer here? In this episode of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with Waverly Ann Harris, CEO of Friends Life Community, about the things parents can do at all ages and stages to support their child’s independence and community engagement. You’ll learn:-Which barriers families commonly face and how to navigate them-How working with a job coach may be beneficial for your child-How to resolve conflicts with independence-seeking kids -How and where to look for support for you and your childAbout Our Guest:Waverly Ann Harris, M.S. Ed. is the CEO at Friends Life Community, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for teenagers and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Nashville, Tennessee, through three main program areas: service learning and employment, life skills, and advocacy through the arts.Waverly Ann has diverse nonprofit experience, both nationally and internationally, in human services. With a master’s degree from Lipscomb University in Applied Behavior Analysis, Waverly Ann has consulted with families and companies to design systems that promote inclusion, decrease dependency, increase innovation, and change culture around disability services.

Most parents enroll their children in youth sports because they’re widely thought of as fun. But did you know that nearly three-quarters of kids drop out of organized athletics by the age of 13? Or that youth sports participation, as a whole, is at a generational low? In this episode, you'll hear best-selling author, international speaker, long-time coach, and youth sports expert John O’Sullivan explain how and why the “fun” has disappeared from our youth sports culture - and what actionable steps parents can take now to fix it and give sports back to our kids. Tune in to learn:- What to say to your child after a game- Why early specialization or seasons that are too long could do your child more harm than good- How to work effectively with sports organizations and coaches to foster a positive mindset and promote healthy, whole-child developmentAbout Our Guest:John O’Sullivan is the founder and CEO of the Changing the Game Project, which he started in 2012 in order to help parents, coaches and youth sports organizations put the “play” back into playing sports. John is a former collegiate and professional soccer player, and coached for 20 years on the youth, high school and college level, most recently as the Central Oregon Training Center Director for the Portland Timbers of MLS. John is the author of two #1 bestselling books, and his blog gets nearly 5 million visits a year. John has been a keynote presenter throughout the US, Canada and Europe, including TEDx, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Hockey Canada, USA Football, IMG Academy, and more, and his goal is to start discussions about changing the environment in youth sports so we can keep more kids active, happy and healthy.You can learn more about John, his speaking, and the Changing the Game Project at https://changingthegameproject.com.

Most parents enroll their children in youth sports because they’re widely thought of as fun. But did you know that nearly three-quarters of kids drop out of organized athletics by the age of 13? Or that youth sports participation, as a whole, is at a generational low? In this episode, you'll hear best-selling author, international speaker, long-time coach, and youth sports expert John O’Sullivan explain how and why the “fun” has disappeared from our youth sports culture - and what actionable steps parents can take now to fix it and give sports back to our kids. Tune in to learn:- What to say to your child after a game- Why early specialization or seasons that are too long could do your child more harm than good- How to work effectively with sports organizations and coaches to foster a positive mindset and promote healthy, whole-child developmentAbout Our Guest:John O’Sullivan is the founder and CEO of the Changing the Game Project, which he started in 2012 in order to help parents, coaches and youth sports organizations put the “play” back into playing sports. John is a former collegiate and professional soccer player, and coached for 20 years on the youth, high school and college level, most recently as the Central Oregon Training Center Director for the Portland Timbers of MLS. John is the author of two #1 bestselling books, and his blog gets nearly 5 million visits a year. John has been a keynote presenter throughout the US, Canada and Europe, including TEDx, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Hockey Canada, USA Football, IMG Academy, and more, and his goal is to start discussions about changing the environment in youth sports so we can keep more kids active, happy and healthy.You can learn more about John, his speaking, and the Changing the Game Project at https://changingthegameproject.com.

Challenging behaviors are frequently among the most stressful concerns for parents raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this episode, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with occupational therapist and autism expert, Mary Beth Kadlec, about the underlying causes of behavior challenges and the ways in which parents and caregivers can foster increased emotional regulation. Tune in to find out why many parents miscalculate their child’s developmental level and how this can impact behavior; how to adjust your communication strategies to better match your child; how to work with your child’s school to improve behavior both at home and within the school environment; and, why adaptive physical education is critical for kids with ASD and how the school can foster more positive gym experiences for all kids.About Our Guest:Mary Beth Kadlec is an occupational therapist and the Program Director at the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CANDO) at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, which provides cutting edge services to children with autism and their families. She has 36 years of occupational therapy experience, and she has devoted her career to helping caregivers and providers develop more effective ways to support children at home, in school, and in the community.To learn more about Mary Beth or CANDO, visit the CANDO website: https://www.umassmed.edu/psychiatry/clinicalservices/child-adolescent-clinical-services/cando

Challenging behaviors are frequently among the most stressful concerns for parents raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this episode, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with occupational therapist and autism expert, Mary Beth Kadlec, about the underlying causes of behavior challenges and the ways in which parents and caregivers can foster increased emotional regulation. Tune in to find out why many parents miscalculate their child’s developmental level and how this can impact behavior; how to adjust your communication strategies to better match your child; how to work with your child’s school to improve behavior both at home and within the school environment; and, why adaptive physical education is critical for kids with ASD and how the school can foster more positive gym experiences for all kids.About Our Guest:Mary Beth Kadlec is an occupational therapist and the Program Director at the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CANDO) at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, which provides cutting edge services to children with autism and their families. She has 36 years of occupational therapy experience, and she has devoted her career to helping caregivers and providers develop more effective ways to support children at home, in school, and in the community.To learn more about Mary Beth or CANDO, visit the CANDO website: https://www.umassmed.edu/psychiatry/clinicalservices/child-adolescent-clinical-services/cando

Multigenerational households are making a comeback! According to researchers, 1 in 5 Americans now lives with three or more generations under the same roof - the highest level since 1950. But for all its potential perks - such as cost savings, familial bonding, and built-in child care - if you’re among those individuals “sandwiched” between both your children and parents who need care, you know that managing the responsibilities of mid-adulthood is no easy feat.In this episode, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with author, disability advocate, and writer Jamie Sumner about her new middle-grade novel Roll with It and the questions that frequently come up for the “Sandwich Generation” and their children. "Should my children be included in the care of their grandparent(s)? How can they help?" "How can I effectively support my child with a disability and my Mom’s or Dad’s growing needs?" And, "How do I manage my stress and live my best life?" Additionally, you’ll hear Jamie’s thoughts on teaching kids resilience and what to say to a child who doesn’t feel like s/he “fits in.”About Our Guest:Jamie Sumner is the author of several books, including the recently released middle-grade novel, Roll with It, and the non-fiction book, Unbound: Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations of Motherhood. Her second and third middle-grade novels will be coming out in 2020 and 2021. She is also the author of the forthcoming book, Keep On, Superhero, for parents of children with special needs. She has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and she is the reviews editor at Literary Mama.Jamie is also a mom to a son with cerebral palsy, and she writes and speaks about disability in literature. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. Learn more about Jamie, Roll with It, and her other books at https://jamie-sumner.com.

Multigenerational households are making a comeback! According to researchers, 1 in 5 Americans now lives with three or more generations under the same roof - the highest level since 1950. But for all its potential perks - such as cost savings, familial bonding, and built-in child care - if you’re among those individuals “sandwiched” between both your children and parents who need care, you know that managing the responsibilities of mid-adulthood is no easy feat.In this episode, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with author, disability advocate, and writer Jamie Sumner about her new middle-grade novel Roll with It and the questions that frequently come up for the “Sandwich Generation” and their children. "Should my children be included in the care of their grandparent(s)? How can they help?" "How can I effectively support my child with a disability and my Mom’s or Dad’s growing needs?" And, "How do I manage my stress and live my best life?" Additionally, you’ll hear Jamie’s thoughts on teaching kids resilience and what to say to a child who doesn’t feel like s/he “fits in.”About Our Guest:Jamie Sumner is the author of several books, including the recently released middle-grade novel, Roll with It, and the non-fiction book, Unbound: Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations of Motherhood. Her second and third middle-grade novels will be coming out in 2020 and 2021. She is also the author of the forthcoming book, Keep On, Superhero, for parents of children with special needs. She has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and she is the reviews editor at Literary Mama.Jamie is also a mom to a son with cerebral palsy, and she writes and speaks about disability in literature. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. Learn more about Jamie, Roll with It, and her other books at https://jamie-sumner.com.

Is your child begging for his or her first social media account? Has your son or daughter recently signed up for Instagram, SnapChat, TikTok or Facebook? If so, you may have a myriad of questions. What is the “right” age to allow my child to be on social media? How do I know if s/he is ready? Have I fully prepared him to be a good digital citizen? How do I keep her safe? And, of course, what should I do if I regret my decision?Tune in and listen as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, discusses how she is addressing these pressing questions within her family. In this episode she’ll discuss the pros and cons of children participating in social media, provide honest questions that parents can ask themselves to help determine readiness, and suggest simple strategies for coaching our children as they step into the world of social media.---Stefanie Boucher is Torchlight’s Senior Content Developer and host of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast. A writer, editor, and journalist, she has spent nearly two decades producing multi-media content for children, parents, students and teachers while simultaneously raising her own tech-savvy kids in the midst of a changing media landscape. In her current role at Torchlight, she offers families practical strategies for modern parenting, including how to balance health and well-being with the allure and necessity of modern technology and life.

Is your child begging for his or her first social media account? Has your son or daughter recently signed up for Instagram, SnapChat, TikTok or Facebook? If so, you may have a myriad of questions. What is the “right” age to allow my child to be on social media? How do I know if s/he is ready? Have I fully prepared him to be a good digital citizen? How do I keep her safe? And, of course, what should I do if I regret my decision?Tune in and listen as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, discusses how she is addressing these pressing questions within her family. In this episode she’ll discuss the pros and cons of children participating in social media, provide honest questions that parents can ask themselves to help determine readiness, and suggest simple strategies for coaching our children as they step into the world of social media.---Stefanie Boucher is Torchlight’s Senior Content Developer and host of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast. A writer, editor, and journalist, she has spent nearly two decades producing multi-media content for children, parents, students and teachers while simultaneously raising her own tech-savvy kids in the midst of a changing media landscape. In her current role at Torchlight, she offers families practical strategies for modern parenting, including how to balance health and well-being with the allure and necessity of modern technology and life.

Have you ever “lost it” with your kids? If so, you’re definitely not alone - parenting is stressful! In this episode, Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speakes with Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., a licenced independent clinical social worker, author, speaker, and mother who began writing her most recent book, How to Stop Losing Your S*** with Your Kids after facing her own share of emotionally grueling parenting moments. Tune in for Carla’s empathetic, practical advice on how to manage your triggers, stop the meltdowns, and become a calmer, happier parent with calmer, happier kids.About Our Guest:Carla Naumburg, PhD, LICSW is a parent coach, writer, and speaker. She is the author of three parenting books, including the recently released title How to Stop Losing Your S*** With Your Kids (Workman, 2019). Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and Mindful Magazine, among other places. Carla is a sought-after public speaker, and she coaches overwhelmed parents on how to make parenting more fun. Learn more about Carla and her work by visiting her webpage (https://www.carlanaumburg.com).

Have you ever “lost it” with your kids? If so, you’re definitely not alone - parenting is stressful! In this episode, Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speakes with Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., a licenced independent clinical social worker, author, speaker, and mother who began writing her most recent book, How to Stop Losing Your S*** with Your Kids after facing her own share of emotionally grueling parenting moments. Tune in for Carla’s empathetic, practical advice on how to manage your triggers, stop the meltdowns, and become a calmer, happier parent with calmer, happier kids.About Our Guest:Carla Naumburg, PhD, LICSW is a parent coach, writer, and speaker. She is the author of three parenting books, including the recently released title How to Stop Losing Your S*** With Your Kids (Workman, 2019). Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and Mindful Magazine, among other places. Carla is a sought-after public speaker, and she coaches overwhelmed parents on how to make parenting more fun. Learn more about Carla and her work by visiting her webpage (https://www.carlanaumburg.com).

Your child’s doctor can be an incredible resource when you have questions or concerns about your child’s health. But did you know that a pediatrician can provide care for your child that spans beyond his or her physical well-being? In this episode of Torchlight’s Exceptional Parenting Podcast, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with an experienced pediatrician about the ways in which a strong doctor-patient or doctor-family relationship can improve outcomes for children from birth through age 22. Listen to learn:- How to choose the right pediatrician for your child or family- Simple techniques for better doctor-parent communication- What to do if you disagree with your child’s doctor, and much moreAbout Our Guest:A strong believer in the importance of communication, Dr. Diana McManus is an experienced pediatrician who enjoys getting to know her patients and helping them through challenging times. A graduate of Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, she completed her residency and chief residency at Children’s Hospital of Oakland in Oakland, California. She has currently been in practice for more than 16 years.

Your child’s doctor can be an incredible resource when you have questions or concerns about your child’s health. But did you know that a pediatrician can provide care for your child that spans beyond his or her physical well-being? In this episode of Torchlight’s Exceptional Parenting Podcast, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with an experienced pediatrician about the ways in which a strong doctor-patient or doctor-family relationship can improve outcomes for children from birth through age 22. Listen to learn:- How to choose the right pediatrician for your child or family- Simple techniques for better doctor-parent communication- What to do if you disagree with your child’s doctor, and much moreAbout Our Guest:A strong believer in the importance of communication, Dr. Diana McManus is an experienced pediatrician who enjoys getting to know her patients and helping them through challenging times. A graduate of Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, she completed her residency and chief residency at Children’s Hospital of Oakland in Oakland, California. She has currently been in practice for more than 16 years.

Bullying is a huge problem for our nation’s young people. Recent studies indicate that at least 1 in every 5 children are bullied in school by the age of 18 – and over half of teens admit to being bullied online. Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks to a bullying intervention specialist, as well as a middle and high school adjustment counselor, about what constitutes bullying and what parents and teachers can do to protect children so they can thrive. In this episode, you'll learn about the long-term effects bullying can have on both targets and aggressors, and how to shift this damaging paradigm; which populations are more likely to become targets of bullying, and how adults can help protect these individuals; and, strategies parents and kids can use to stop bullying in its tracks if and when it occurs.About Our Guests:Connie Mahoney is the former Director of Prevention & Intervention Services for Springfield (MA) Public Schools, where she led the development of the bullying prevention policy and intervention plan from 2010 through 2015. She has worked as both an instructor and public speaker on bullying, and also developed curriculum for the Committee for Children’s Think Tank, a research-based program widely used in schools throughout the country. She is currently serving as Assistant Principal at a high school in Massachusetts.Bethany Menard is a school adjustment counselor who has experience working with children and teens in a variety of age groups. Currently she works at the middle school level, where she helps students, parents, teachers, and administrators resolve issues around bullying, assault, and mental health and seeks to reduce the frequency and severity of bullying on campus.

Bullying is a huge problem for our nation’s young people. Recent studies indicate that at least 1 in every 5 children are bullied in school by the age of 18 – and over half of teens admit to being bullied online. Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks to a bullying intervention specialist, as well as a middle and high school adjustment counselor, about what constitutes bullying and what parents and teachers can do to protect children so they can thrive. In this episode, you'll learn about the long-term effects bullying can have on both targets and aggressors, and how to shift this damaging paradigm; which populations are more likely to become targets of bullying, and how adults can help protect these individuals; and, strategies parents and kids can use to stop bullying in its tracks if and when it occurs.About Our Guests:Connie Mahoney is the former Director of Prevention & Intervention Services for Springfield (MA) Public Schools, where she led the development of the bullying prevention policy and intervention plan from 2010 through 2015. She has worked as both an instructor and public speaker on bullying, and also developed curriculum for the Committee for Children’s Think Tank, a research-based program widely used in schools throughout the country. She is currently serving as Assistant Principal at a high school in Massachusetts.Bethany Menard is a school adjustment counselor who has experience working with children and teens in a variety of age groups. Currently she works at the middle school level, where she helps students, parents, teachers, and administrators resolve issues around bullying, assault, and mental health and seeks to reduce the frequency and severity of bullying on campus.

Could your adolescent daughter be at risk of losing much of the hard-won self-confidence she developed in childhood? According to experts, probably so. In fact, most girls emerge from adolescence with poorer self-image and less self-confidence than boys – despite having similar levels of self-esteem as their male peers around age 10. Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, and Chief Program Officer at Girls Empowerment Network, Caroline Crawford, for a lively discussion about the factors that can damage girls’ well-being during adolescence and the things parents can do to now to empower their daughters and set them up for a lifetime of success.About Our Guest:For more than a decade, Caroline Crawford has mentored youth, and volunteered or worked with organizations that make a difference in the lives of young girls and boys. As the Director of Programs at Girls Empowerment Network, Caroline oversees teams in Austin and Houston. She empowers young females and helps them grow their self-confidence and self-worth as they navigate the pressures of girlhood. She appreciates that Girls Empowerment Network’s programs create a safe space for girls to be wholeheartedly vulnerable and authentic while exploring who they are and who they want to be. Caroline holds a Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas. Find out more about Caroline or the Girls Empowerment Network by exploring the following resources. Learn More: https://www.girlsempowermentnetwork.org/Get involved: https://www.girlsempowermentnetwork.org/get-involved/supporters/

Could your adolescent daughter be at risk of losing much of the hard-won self-confidence she developed in childhood? According to experts, probably so. In fact, most girls emerge from adolescence with poorer self-image and less self-confidence than boys – despite having similar levels of self-esteem as their male peers around age 10. Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, and Chief Program Officer at Girls Empowerment Network, Caroline Crawford, for a lively discussion about the factors that can damage girls’ well-being during adolescence and the things parents can do to now to empower their daughters and set them up for a lifetime of success.About Our Guest:For more than a decade, Caroline Crawford has mentored youth, and volunteered or worked with organizations that make a difference in the lives of young girls and boys. As the Director of Programs at Girls Empowerment Network, Caroline oversees teams in Austin and Houston. She empowers young females and helps them grow their self-confidence and self-worth as they navigate the pressures of girlhood. She appreciates that Girls Empowerment Network’s programs create a safe space for girls to be wholeheartedly vulnerable and authentic while exploring who they are and who they want to be. Caroline holds a Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas. Find out more about Caroline or the Girls Empowerment Network by exploring the following resources. Learn More: https://www.girlsempowermentnetwork.org/Get involved: https://www.girlsempowermentnetwork.org/get-involved/supporters/

Conflict is a part of life. No matter how much we try to avoid it, disagreements – of some sort or another – regularly pop up between family members, friends, students and teachers, roommates, and co-workers. Fortunately, conflicts don’t always have to be experienced as negative (and, in fact, it’s far preferable when they aren’t). In this episode, Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher joins certified mediator, Stacey Harris, J.D., for an in-depth discussion about what parents can do to help their children build the conflict resolution skills they need to successfully navigate their lives. Tune in to learn:-Basic principles of conflict resolution-How to teach and practice effective listening skills-Simple, effective conflict resolution techniques to use with your children, teens, or loved onesAbout Our Guest: Stacey Harris, J.D., is the Associate Director of Disability & Access Services at Boston University, where she co-runs a student mediation program for students across the university. Stacey has spent more than 20 years working on civil rights and disability compliance issues in higher education and government settings, and now focuses heavily on university policy, technical standards, and compliance. Most importantly, she works directly with students, not only on accommodations but on their own self-advocacy skills.

Conflict is a part of life. No matter how much we try to avoid it, disagreements – of some sort or another – regularly pop up between family members, friends, students and teachers, roommates, and co-workers. Fortunately, conflicts don’t always have to be experienced as negative (and, in fact, it’s far preferable when they aren’t). In this episode, Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher joins certified mediator, Stacey Harris, J.D., for an in-depth discussion about what parents can do to help their children build the conflict resolution skills they need to successfully navigate their lives. Tune in to learn:-Basic principles of conflict resolution-How to teach and practice effective listening skills-Simple, effective conflict resolution techniques to use with your children, teens, or loved onesAbout Our Guest: Stacey Harris, J.D., is the Associate Director of Disability & Access Services at Boston University, where she co-runs a student mediation program for students across the university. Stacey has spent more than 20 years working on civil rights and disability compliance issues in higher education and government settings, and now focuses heavily on university policy, technical standards, and compliance. Most importantly, she works directly with students, not only on accommodations but on their own self-advocacy skills.

Have you ever wondered if homeschooling may be right for your child? Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks to a veteran homeschooler, Natasha Curtis, about the pros and cons of being a modern homeschooling parent. Listen as Natasha shares the details of her homeschooling journey, including why and how she began to homeschool her two children, how she juggles professional and homeschooling responsibilities, and how both she and her children feel about their experiences several years after making this transition. You’ll also hear her response to some common myths about children who are homeschooled, including the (mostly false) notion that they are doomed to fall behind socially, will have trouble getting into college, or will be unable to keep up once they get there. About Our Guest:Natasha Curtis is small-business owner and the mother of two amazing (and very different) kids. She made the decision to homeschool her children nearly six years ago in order to better address their health and learning needs, and hasn’t looked back since. In addition to taking a lead role in the education of her teenage son, she also owns and operates Zeppelin Comics in Northern California with her husband of 23 years.

Have you ever wondered if homeschooling may be right for your child? Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks to a veteran homeschooler, Natasha Curtis, about the pros and cons of being a modern homeschooling parent. Listen as Natasha shares the details of her homeschooling journey, including why and how she began to homeschool her two children, how she juggles professional and homeschooling responsibilities, and how both she and her children feel about their experiences several years after making this transition. You’ll also hear her response to some common myths about children who are homeschooled, including the (mostly false) notion that they are doomed to fall behind socially, will have trouble getting into college, or will be unable to keep up once they get there. About Our Guest:Natasha Curtis is small-business owner and the mother of two amazing (and very different) kids. She made the decision to homeschool her children nearly six years ago in order to better address their health and learning needs, and hasn’t looked back since. In addition to taking a lead role in the education of her teenage son, she also owns and operates Zeppelin Comics in Northern California with her husband of 23 years.

Do your kids spend as much time playing outside as you did when you were young? According to experts, probably not. It’s rare these days for kids to spend entire afternoons rolling down hills, climbing trees, or enjoying lengthy recesses at school where they swing too high and push merry-go-rounds too fast. Instead, these once-classic childhood activities have been replaced by adult-supervised ones, such as organized sports, accelerated academics, and of course, screen time. We’ve done this, of course, because we largely believe that kids are safer this way. But could our attempts to keep kids out of harm’s way be hindering their development? Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks with pediatric occupational therapist, international speaker, Timbernook founder, and author Angela Hanscom about how unrestrained physical movement and outdoor play are vital for your child’s cognitive and physical development - and why a lack of it may be (at least partly) to blame for today’s epidemic levels of attention deficits, as well as sensory and emotional disorders. About Our Guest:Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of TimberNook – an award-winning nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy, and an undergraduate degree in kinesiology (the study of movement) with a concentration in health fitness. Angela’s book, Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016) discusses the effects of restricted movement and lack of outdoor playtime on overall sensory and motor development in children. Angela keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians all over the world. She and her work have been featured in Glamour magazine, The Washington Post, NPR, and Johnson & Johnson TEDx.Don't miss these great resources from Angela Hanscom!Hanscom, Angela. Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016). Hanscom, Angela. "The Real Reason Children Fidget - And What to Do About It." YouTube video, 25 Sep, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXLaoDucF0k.TimberNook (outdoor/nature experiences for children), https://www.timbernook.com

Do your kids spend as much time playing outside as you did when you were young? According to experts, probably not. It’s rare these days for kids to spend entire afternoons rolling down hills, climbing trees, or enjoying lengthy recesses at school where they swing too high and push merry-go-rounds too fast. Instead, these once-classic childhood activities have been replaced by adult-supervised ones, such as organized sports, accelerated academics, and of course, screen time. We’ve done this, of course, because we largely believe that kids are safer this way. But could our attempts to keep kids out of harm’s way be hindering their development? Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks with pediatric occupational therapist, international speaker, Timbernook founder, and author Angela Hanscom about how unrestrained physical movement and outdoor play are vital for your child’s cognitive and physical development - and why a lack of it may be (at least partly) to blame for today’s epidemic levels of attention deficits, as well as sensory and emotional disorders. About Our Guest:Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of TimberNook – an award-winning nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy, and an undergraduate degree in kinesiology (the study of movement) with a concentration in health fitness. Angela’s book, Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016) discusses the effects of restricted movement and lack of outdoor playtime on overall sensory and motor development in children. Angela keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians all over the world. She and her work have been featured in Glamour magazine, The Washington Post, NPR, and Johnson & Johnson TEDx.Don't miss these great resources from Angela Hanscom!Hanscom, Angela. Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016). Hanscom, Angela. "The Real Reason Children Fidget - And What to Do About It." YouTube video, 25 Sep, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXLaoDucF0k.TimberNook (outdoor/nature experiences for children), https://www.timbernook.com

We all want our kids to become strong, independent adults. But in order for that to happen, we need to teach our teens how to get what they need, when they need it, and do so under a variety of circumstances. Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, as she chats with school psychologist, Natalie Borrell, and long-time educator, Alison Grant, about strategies for developing grit, resilience, and the ability to self-advocate in the school setting and the world at large.Tune in to learn:- Which steps to take right now to help your child gain independence- How to help your child find and obtain the resources they need for success- How to foster self-advocacy skills in the school setting when your child has an IEP or 504 PlanAbout Our Guests:Natalie Borrell is an experienced school psychologist and the founder of Life Success for Teens, an academic life coaching organization for high school students. Dubbed by colleagues as the “teen whisperer,” Natalie has a great deal of experience working with students with ADHD, executive functioning weaknesses, and other learning differences. In both roles, much of her work revolves around evaluating students to help determine their strengths and weaknesses, and then providing appropriate interventions.Alison Grant is a long-time educator in the secondary school setting and the Director of Training and Curriculum at Life Success for Teens. A Family Consumer Science teacher at Willoughby South High School, she was named the Adele Knight Teacher of the Year in 2011. In 2017, Alison earned her academic life coaching certificate as a means of helping students realize success both inside and outside of the classroom. Her favorite part of teaching and coaching is watching a student have one of those moments when everything clicks and his or her hard work pays off.To learn more about Natalie or Alison, visit Life Success for Teens (https://lifesuccessforteens.com).

We all want our kids to become strong, independent adults. But in order for that to happen, we need to teach our teens how to get what they need, when they need it, and do so under a variety of circumstances. Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, as she chats with school psychologist, Natalie Borrell, and long-time educator, Alison Grant, about strategies for developing grit, resilience, and the ability to self-advocate in the school setting and the world at large.Tune in to learn:- Which steps to take right now to help your child gain independence- How to help your child find and obtain the resources they need for success- How to foster self-advocacy skills in the school setting when your child has an IEP or 504 PlanAbout Our Guests:Natalie Borrell is an experienced school psychologist and the founder of Life Success for Teens, an academic life coaching organization for high school students. Dubbed by colleagues as the “teen whisperer,” Natalie has a great deal of experience working with students with ADHD, executive functioning weaknesses, and other learning differences. In both roles, much of her work revolves around evaluating students to help determine their strengths and weaknesses, and then providing appropriate interventions.Alison Grant is a long-time educator in the secondary school setting and the Director of Training and Curriculum at Life Success for Teens. A Family Consumer Science teacher at Willoughby South High School, she was named the Adele Knight Teacher of the Year in 2011. In 2017, Alison earned her academic life coaching certificate as a means of helping students realize success both inside and outside of the classroom. Her favorite part of teaching and coaching is watching a student have one of those moments when everything clicks and his or her hard work pays off.To learn more about Natalie or Alison, visit Life Success for Teens (https://lifesuccessforteens.com).

Are you worried about your child’s transition from Early Intervention to school-based services? Are you concerned that your son or daughter might not be “ready” to attend school or that you might not be able to find the right environment for him or her? If you’re the parent of a child with a disability, your child’s third birthday is a big deal, and there is a lot of logistical and emotional work that takes place as you help your child enter into this new faze of life. In this episode, Exception Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, chats with author, journalist, advocate, and mother Jamie Sumner about how to simplify the transition. Get inside tips and advice from someone who has been there, understands the very real challenges that parents and kids face, and knows what works and what doesn’t when it comes to advocating for your child.About Our Guest:Jamie Sumner is the author of several books, including Unbound: Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations of Motherhood and the forthcoming book Keep On, Superhero for parents of children with special needs. She’s written for the New York Times and the Washington Post, as well as other publications, and is the reviews editor at Literary Mama. Jamie is also a mom to a son with cerebral palsy, and she writes and speaks about disability in literature. She loves stories that celebrate grit and beauty in all kids.

Are you worried about your child’s transition from Early Intervention to school-based services? Are you concerned that your son or daughter might not be “ready” to attend school or that you might not be able to find the right environment for him or her? If you’re the parent of a child with a disability, your child’s third birthday is a big deal, and there is a lot of logistical and emotional work that takes place as you help your child enter into this new faze of life. In this episode, Exception Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, chats with author, journalist, advocate, and mother Jamie Sumner about how to simplify the transition. Get inside tips and advice from someone who has been there, understands the very real challenges that parents and kids face, and knows what works and what doesn’t when it comes to advocating for your child.About Our Guest:Jamie Sumner is the author of several books, including Unbound: Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations of Motherhood and the forthcoming book Keep On, Superhero for parents of children with special needs. She’s written for the New York Times and the Washington Post, as well as other publications, and is the reviews editor at Literary Mama. Jamie is also a mom to a son with cerebral palsy, and she writes and speaks about disability in literature. She loves stories that celebrate grit and beauty in all kids.

When Jarrett Krosoczka went to live with his grandparents at the age of three, he wasn’t sure why he was there or why his mother couldn’t be there with him. It wasn’t until the age of nine that he learned the truth: his mother was addicted to heroin and had spent much of Jarrett’s life incarcerated. In this episode of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast, host Stefanie Boucher talks to Jarrett about the emotions and challenges children can experience when growing up in a family facing addiction or other difficult circumstances. Tune in now to find out:- How and when to discuss sensitive situations with the children you care for;- What kids facing loss need from their caregivers; and,- The #1 thing children must have in order to develop their creativity.About Our Guest:New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and a deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores. With more than 30 published books to his credit, Krosoczka is a two-time winner of the Children’s Choice Book Awards and has been a finalist for the prestigious Will Eisner Comic Industry Award. He has delivered two TED Talks, which have collectively accrued more than two million views online. Krosoczka has been featured on NPR and can be heard weekly on The Book Report with JJK on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live, a show focusing on books, authors, and reading. His Punk Farm, Lunch Lady, and Platypus Police Squad series are all currently in development for film. Learn more about Jarrett and his work at studioJJK.com.

When Jarrett Krosoczka went to live with his grandparents at the age of three, he wasn’t sure why he was there or why his mother couldn’t be there with him. It wasn’t until the age of nine that he learned the truth: his mother was addicted to heroin and had spent much of Jarrett’s life incarcerated. In this episode of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast, host Stefanie Boucher talks to Jarrett about the emotions and challenges children can experience when growing up in a family facing addiction or other difficult circumstances. Tune in now to find out:- How and when to discuss sensitive situations with the children you care for;- What kids facing loss need from their caregivers; and,- The #1 thing children must have in order to develop their creativity.About Our Guest:New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and a deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores. With more than 30 published books to his credit, Krosoczka is a two-time winner of the Children’s Choice Book Awards and has been a finalist for the prestigious Will Eisner Comic Industry Award. He has delivered two TED Talks, which have collectively accrued more than two million views online. Krosoczka has been featured on NPR and can be heard weekly on The Book Report with JJK on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live, a show focusing on books, authors, and reading. His Punk Farm, Lunch Lady, and Platypus Police Squad series are all currently in development for film. Learn more about Jarrett and his work at studioJJK.com.

In 1985, 18 percent of teens said they felt stressed “all the time,” according to a UCLA study. By 2017, that number had soared to 41 percent. Our nation’s youth are undergoing a mental health crisis. But why? Are smartphones or social media to blame? Or are our schedules just too busy? And what about these chaotic and unpredictable times we are living in? Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, continues this conversation with long-time educator and youth counselor, Sal Caraviello, to discuss the biggest causes of teen stress and, more importantly, what parents can do to get things back on track for our kids. This is Part 2 of a two-part series.About Our Guest:Salvatore Caraviello has been working with children and adolescents for more than 30 years. As a former teacher, administrator, coach, counselor, and youth minister, he has developed unique insight into the concerns of modern youth and has worked tirelessly to help countless children and families find success, balance, and happiness in all areas of their lives. In 2015, Sal was named WInchester Citizen of the Year, in Winchester, Massachusetts. He was the first non-resident to ever be selected.