Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting with Annie Fox, M.Ed.

As kids grow their bodies change. So do their thoughts, feelings and desires. When young adolescents (10-14 year olds) start experiencing crushes, it can be exciting, awkward and very confusing. Tweens need education designed for them so they can make healthy choices when they are ready to become sexually active. Enter AMAZE, an innovative and yes, friendly, animated online video sex education resource for young adolescents. AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex education, or as they put it: "More info. Less weird." AMAZE is a partnership of three non-profit organizations: Answer, Advocates for Youth. and Youth Tech Health. Nicole Cushman, Executive Director of Answer, says, "The research shows that teens actually want to hear more from their parents about their values and expectations when it comes to sex, dating, and relationships." Encouraging, right? Annie talks to Nicole about how parents can comfortably talk to teens about sex. About Nicole Cushman (@SexHonestly) and AMAZE (@AmazeOrg) Nicole Cushman, MPH, Executive Director of Answer, an award-winning, national organization, providing invaluable sexuality education resources to millions of young people and adults every year. And one of the partners of Amaze.org. Nicole is passionate about empowering young people through honest, relevant and effective sexuality education. She has nearly 15 years of experience as an educator and trainer in sexual and reproductive health and has worked to strengthen sexuality education policies and programs across the U.S. Nicole oversees Answer’s sexuality education programs, finances and fundraising. She also manages Answer’s relationship with Rutgers University and represents Answer in the media. Learn more about http://Answer.rutgers.edu and http://AMAZE.org. Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

When computer games are a problem for parents, it's usually because a child/teen has become obsessed and no longer shows interest in "family time." Even when family time isn't impacted, parents may have other questions like: • "Is my child addicted to computer games?" • "Are violent games encouraging my child to be violent and/or desensitizing him to violence?" • "Is all this screen time hurting my child's social development?" Dr. Rachel Kowert, psychologist, online gamer, and author of "A Parent's Guide to Video Games: The essential guide to understanding how video games impact your child's physical, social, and psychological well-being", makes a strong case for the positive impact of computer games and why parents may not need to worry about their kids' love of gaming. About Dr. Rachel Kowert (@DrRachelKowert) Dr. Kowert's research is primarily focused on the social impact of online games. This includes addressing the anecdotal claim that online game players are socially different/deficient as compared to offline or non-players, examining the impact of online video game play on offline friendship networks, and evaluating the tangible social benefits of online game play. Learn more at http://RKowert.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

At times, every child feels worried, confused, or scared. In those moments, kids need safe adults to talk to. When your child comes to you, out of the blue, with a burning question, or when your family is faced with a sensitive situation that requires your bringing kids into the loop, how do you do it effectively? Psychologist Dr. Robyn Silverman, author of "Good Girls Don't Get Fat" and "Bully: An Action Plan for Teachers, Parents and Communities to Combat the Bullying Crisis" reminds parents that conversations are "not soliloquies." Listening (without distractions) to what your child has to say is at least as important as what you have to say. Annie and Robyn discuss how to talk to kids about anything. About Robyn Silverman (@DrRobyn) Dr. Robyn Silverman, AKA Dr. Robyn, is a leading Child and Adolescent Development Specialist with a focus on character education and body/self esteem development during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. As a strong believer that children are assets to be developed, not deficits to be managed, her work reflects a positive approach that shows that with the right tools, all young people have the ability to thrive and succeed. Her popular podcast "How to Talk To Kids About Anything" is a compassionate resource for parents. As a body image expert, Dr. Robyn’s groundbreaking research at Tufts University demonstrates that those girls who deviate from the Western ideal of thinness can find a way to thrive. Learn more at: http://DrRobynSilverman.com About Annie Fox, M.Ed. Annie is a parenting expert with 30+ years experience. She's been an online adviser to tweens, teens and parents since 1997. Her award-winning books include: "Teaching Kids to Be Good People", "The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship", and the groundbreaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series. More information about Annie at: http://AnnieFox.com About Family Confidential Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a biweekly podcast about 21st century parenting joys and challenges. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential provides practical parenting advice through down-to-earth interviews with parenting experts, educators, therapists, and entrepreneurs. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the tween years and beyond. http://FamilyConfidential.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

In the minds of kids as well as adults "failure" is something to be avoided at all costs. But Jessica Lahey, educator and author of "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Kids Can Succeed" says we may be missing something important in our mistake-averse approach to life. "I don't want kids to fail. I want kids to have this adapt-positive response to making mistakes. Unfortunately, when I talk to parents these days a B- is 'failure' to them." Annie talks with Jessica about how our current hyper fixation on success hurts kids and what we can do to help them succeed while acknowledging the value of making mistakes along the way. About Jessica Lahey (@JessLahey) Jessica Lahey is an educator, writer, and speaker. She is an English and writing teacher, correspondent for the Atlantic, commentator for Vermont Public Radio, and writes the "Parent-Teacher Conference" column for the New York Times. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed". Learn more at http://JessicaLahey.com About Annie Fox, M.Ed. Annie is a parenting expert with 30+ years experience. She's been an online adviser to tweens, teens and parents since 1997. Her award-winning books include: "Teaching Kids to Be Good People", "The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship", and the groundbreaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series. More information about Annie at: http://AnnieFox.com About Family Confidential Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a biweekly podcast about 21st century parenting joys and challenges. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential provides practical parenting advice through down-to-earth interviews with parenting experts, educators, therapists, and entrepreneurs. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the tween years and beyond. http://FamilyConfidential.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Many caring moms and dads today have turned away from the authoritarian parent model they may have grown up with. The new approach is often influenced by the belief that a parent should be a child's friend. In that role, it's hard to say "no." When kids only hear "Yes, of course you can, sweetheart." how can they learn how to deal with life's inevitable frustrations, obstacles, and set-backs and become responsible and resilient? And how can parents live under the stress of having to be the "perfect" parent all the time? "Perfect parents don't raise perfect children," says Karen Deerwester, parent coach and author of The Entitlement-free Child. "They raise children feel not good enough." Annie talks with Karen about we got here and how parents can give kids a "voice and a choice" without giving them the power to call all the shots. About Karen Deerwester (@FamilyTimeInc) Karen Deerwester is a highly respected parenting coach and educator. She is the founder of Family Time Coaching & Consulting and has been inspiring and supporting parents and professionals in all aspects of "living with children" for 30+ years. Karen's books include The Entitlement-Free Child: Raising Responsible and Confident Kids in a "Me, Mine, Now!" Culture, The Playskool Guide to Potty Training and The Potty Training Answer Book, winner of the 2008 NAPPA Gold Award for parenting resources. Learn more about Karen and her work at http://FamilyTimeInc.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Losing her father can impede a girl's emotional and relational development – that's tough to overcome. At this moment, tens of millions of fatherless daughters of all ages are struggling to step out of the stigma of being fatherless and start moving toward self-survival and success. "Fatherlessness is a journey," says Deena Babul, RN, and co-founder of the Fatherless Daughter Project. "It's not something you're supposed to get over. The pain of losing one's father tends to go underground, and it really doesn't resurface until the fear of abandonment (gets triggered)." Annie, a fatherless daughter herself, talks with Deena about how the loss of a father can affect a girl (physically, emotionally, spiritually) and how to journey through it. About Deena Babul (@FDPrjct‏) Denna D. Babul, RN, life coach, motivational speaker, author, medical expert, and co-founder (with Karin Luise) of the Fatherless Daughter Project. After becoming a fatherless daughter at the age of 13, Denna felt called to be the voice for fatherless daughters. She has created a community and support system for fellow fatherless women of all ages as their voice, coach, and mentor. She helps fatherless daughters reconcile their pasts in order to find their life's purpose. Along with Karin Luise, PhD, Denna is the award-winning author of The Fatherless Daughter Project: Understanding Our Losses and Reclaiming Our Lives. Learn more about Denna and the Fatherless Daughter Project at http://fatherlessdaughterproject.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Three months after Heather Von St. James gave birth to her first child, she was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer caused by asbestos. She was told she had fifteen months to live. Fast-forward eleven years and Heather is very much alive and has dedicated her life to helping parents who are cancer patients. "My job, as an advocate, is not to tell patients the 'right way' to do things." Heather says. "Those parents know their kids far better than I do. (The question is) how much do you think (your child) can handle? I know what works for my daughter. (That's all.) It's more important for me to support them in their decision and maybe suggest things that might work better." Annie talks to Heather about helpful ways for parents to respond to children's questions, concerns and worries about a parent's health challenges and how help your child get the community support he or she needs at this time. About Heather Von St. James (@HeatherVSJ) Heather Von St. James is an 11-year cancer survivor, cancer research advocate, and blogger. She is a contributor to Huffington Post and offers a message of courage, inspiration and hope. Heather also serves as a mesothelioma research funding advocate and conference speaker for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. As a survivor of this often fatal asbestos disease, she considers herself to be a "poster child for hope after mesothelioma." Learn more at http://Mesothelioma.com Camp Kesem Heather strongly recommends that kids whose parents are undergoing cancer treatment spend time around other kids who are going through the same thing. Camp Kesem, a nation-wide community driven by passionate college student leaders, supports children during and beyond their parent's cancer. Camp Kesem is free of charge for every child who attends and is open to children who have lost a parent to cancer, have a parent who is undergoing cancer treatment, or whose parent is a cancer survivor. With 100+ college chapters from coast to coast, you can find a camp near you. Learn more at http://CampKesem.org While Camp Kesem is only open to children of cancer patients, there are other camps that provide wonderful support for children who are, themselves, cancer patients or who have a sibling who is a cancer patient. Find those camp options at http://www.ped-onc.org/cfissues/camps.html. Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Parenting tweens and teens is challenging. They're testing boundaries, just as they should at this age. And whether we like it or not, they're frequently pushing back and trying to establish their own independent identity (interests/values/opinions) apart from Mom and Dad. That level of conflict is reality in most intact, stable, both-parents-married-to-each-other families. When a separation or divorce occurs and either parent is beginning to date, that's likely to create extra challenges for teens and their parents. "Divorce or separation is a huge change," says Karen Bonnell, family coach and author of "The Co-Parents' Handbook: Raising Well-adjusted, Resilient, and Resourceful Kids in a Two-Home Family from Little Ones to Young Adults"."This is a huge change and there's often grief involved. So kids are recalibrating, trying to make sense out of something their parents have done that they have no control over." Annie talks with Karen about how to parent your teen once you start dating again after divorce. About Karen Bonnell (@karenbonnellcmc) Karen Bonnell has over 30 years of experience working with couples and families facing transition, loss, growth, and change. Her work as a Collaborative Divorce Coach spurred her determination to write "The Co-Parents' Handbook". In this straight-forward, practical guide, parents learn the best ways to support their children, strengthen their co-parenting, and discover the necessary tools to skillfully create a two-home family. Karen's other books include "The Parenting Plan Handbook". Learn more at http://CoachMediateConsult.com. Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Has parenting really changed all that much since we're now raising our children in the Digital Age? Not according to G. Cory Warren, Corporate Communications Director at LifeLock. LifeLock partnered with the National Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A) to develop a free online tool for parents called The Smart Talk. According to Cory, "The role of parents today is not any different than the role of parents who came before. It's to be involved, to have conversations, and to show an interest in what your kids are interested in so you can help guide them along that path." If your child's interest includes sending and receiving content via digital devices, then parents might need updated guidance tools. Annie talks with Cory about The Smart Talk tool and how it works to get parents and kids together for a conversation about being responsible about the new technology. About G. Cory Warren (@LifeLock) G. Cory Warren is the Director of Digital communications and Content Development for LifeLock, an identity theft protection company based in Tempe, Arizona. Learn more at LifeLock.com and TheSmartTalk.org http://FamilyConfidential.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

When we're worried, we are not feeling empowered (or safe or happy). That's part of the reason parents often tell our kids "Don't worry." Easier said than done. "Worrying is on one end of a continuum with fear on the other and anxiety in between," says Psychologist Dr. Dan Peters. "Fear," he says, "is a response we all need biologically to survive. It's a response to a real threat in the environment. Anxiety is an irrational fear. The thing we're anxious about (and stress and obsess over). That thing is possible, but it's highly unlikely. Worry, with a small 'w' is a feeling of nervousness where we're thinking something bad is going to happen. But when it starts moving toward anxiety, the small 'w' becomes a big 'W' and becomes a lot more problematic." And gets in the way of our kids enjoying life and reaching their potential. Annie talks with Dr. Dan about children who worry and how parents can help them master those worries. About Dan Peters (@DrDanPeters) Daniel B. Peters, Ph.D. is a psychologist, author, and Co-founder of Parent Footprint, an interactive parenting education community offering Parent Footprint Awareness Training with the mission to make the world a more compassionate and loving place—one parent and one child at a time. He is host of the "Parent Footprint Podcast with Dr. Dan" and a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and Psychology Today. Dr. Dan is the author of "Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child's Fears" and its companion children's book "From Worrier to Warrior", and co-author (with Dr. Susan Daniels) of "Raising Creative Kids" as well as many articles on topics related to parenting, family, giftedness, twice-exceptionality, dyslexia, and anxiety. Learn more at http://DrDanPeters.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

In high achieving schools, the expectations of parents and teachers can be intense. Getting top grades puts kids under unhealthy levels of stress. And is it even necessary? According to school counselor and therapist, Phyllis Fagel, "It's not clear what grades even mean any more. In today's Digital Age, with this many variables [contributing to our kids' chances for success in the workplace] I think people are just trying to control whatever they can. And grades is one of them." Many colleges are beginning to broaden their perspective to include more than just a student's GPA when considering applicants. That's an important step in the right direction. Anxious parents may also be recognizing that grades, per se, don't define a child, but they're not sure what does. Annie talks with Phyllis about the myth of the Straight A student and how character development fits into success in the workplace and in life. About Phyllis Fagell (@Pfagell) Phyllis L. Fagell is the school counselor at the Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. and a licensed clinical professional counselor at Chrysalis Group Inc. in Bethesda. She is a regular contributor to the Washington Post where she writes about education, social emotional learning, counseling, and parenting. Read Phyllis' Washington Post columns under Phyllis L. Fagell. Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Our culture pressures mothers to conform to an ideal of "good mom." When our children are little we are often too busy with caregiving to think about who we are. As kids reach the point in their development where they aren't as dependent, we may find ourselves with more time for ourselves. According to Life Coach Caroline Greene, this new chapter of parenting can be accompanied by a "deflation and a loss of identity and feelings of loneliness, isolation, and confusion." For Caroline, ten years out of law school, she was still in the kitchen. She loved the life she and her husband built for their family, but she "wasn't happy or fulfilled." On top of that, because she knew she was so fortunate, she felt guilty. Annie talks with Caroline about honestly asking ourselves, not only "What kind of person do I want to be raising?" but also (and equally important) "What kind of person do I want to be?" **Special offer for Family Confidential podcast listeners: To get a free copy of Caroline Greene's book "MATTER: How to Find Meaningful Work That's Right For You And Your Family" simply email Caroline@CarolineGreeneCoaching.com and put the word "Matter" in the subject line. About Caroline Greene (@CarolineKGreene) A self-proclaimed "recovering lawyer, chronic overachiever, and passionate truth-teller" Caroline Greene is crazy about helping women build lives that truly matter to them. A former prosector and big-firm litigator, and a stay-at-home mom turned life coach, Caroline knows first hand what it feels like to "get stuck into someone else's definition of success and what it feels like to lose your identity when you decide that definition might not be what you want anymore." Author of "Next: How to Start a Successful Business That's Right For You and Your Family", Caroline coaches women to help them find work they love and a balance that is right for them and their loved ones. Learn more at http://CarolineGreenCoaching.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

We hear a lot from parent educators about the importance of teaching kids to be "resilient." The "How?" part of the equation isn't always clear to us or to our kids. Too often teens (and adults) let a setback sink them into despair. Life coach Chester Hall tells the teens he works with "Even when you feel at the very bottom, and [you think] nothing can get worse, it's really hard to mess this [life] up. Even if you make some huge mistakes, there is always time to bounce back." Annie talks with Chester about helping young people get back up after a setback and continue moving forward. About Chester Hall (@AG00dLife) Chester is the Owner and Lead Life Coach of Good Life Coaching. He has 14+ years experience in the education field, as a classroom teacher and serving as a Prevention & Intervention Specialist for Accomack County Public Schools (Virginia). Chester focuses his efforts on anti-bullying, character education, encouraging positive student-to-teacher relationships, mentoring at-risk youth, truancy prevention, and threat assessment. He also is a member of the International Coach Federation and a member of the Black Life Coaches Network. Learn more at http://GoodLife-Coaching.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Research shows that how kids feel about being at school impacts their ability to do well at school. It comes down to something pretty simple: Kids need to feel welcome at school and that someone (a teacher) feels invested in their education. During this election cycle there has been an increase in the vitriol and nastiness and the racism, sexism, xenophobia that we and our young people are regularly hearing. The Southern Poverty Law Center has studied Hate in the Race (including the level of vitriol characterizing the contest for the presidency. They've also surveyed 2,000 teachers asking them how the presidential campaign was affecting their students and their teaching. According to author and educator, Rosalind Wiseman, "There have always been a couple of kids (in a class) who feel they have the right to insult and offend other kids. But those kids are now clearly emboldened by what they see and hear in the news." Teachers are instructed not to weigh in for or against any political candidate. So what are they to do to help their students create a culture of dignity? Annie talks to Rosalind about the need for adults to provide standards of morality and ethics for the children in their lives. About Rosalind Wiseman (@CultureODignity) Rosalind Wiseman has had only one job since graduating from college—to help communities shift the way we think about children and teens' emotional and physical wellbeing. As a teacher, thought leader, author, and media spokesperson on bullying, ethical leadership, the use of social media, and media literacy, she is in constant dialogue and collaboration with educators, parents, children, and teens. Rosalind is the author of the flexible, dynamic curriculum Own It: Empowering adolescents to CONFRONT social cruelty, Bullying and Injustice. Owning Up Online is the companion website for teachers. Rosalind's other books include: Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World—the groundbreaking, best-selling book that was the basis for the movie Mean Girls. Her latest book, Masterminds & Wingmen: Helping Our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of Boy World was published in September 2013. In addition, she wrote a free companion e-book for high school boys, entitled The Guide: Managing Douchebags, Recruiting Wingmen, and Attracting Who You Want and a school edition entitled, The Guide: Managing Jerks, Recruiting Wingmen, and Attracting Who You Want. Learn more at http://CulturesofDignity.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Middle school social interactions are often a series of very quick, very short conversations, taking place amidst a chaotic backdrop. If you're a kid with learning and attention issues who may not be able to read social cues well or find the right words for a quick response, you might find yourself in a fast-moving world where other kids don't respond to you in positive ways. "It's heart-breaking," says learning specialist Mark Griffin, "to watch a kid who really wants to be part of a group and that group is simply not willing to take him in." Annie talks with Mark about ways parents and schools can help kids with learning and/or attention issues build social skills. About Mark Griffin Mark Griffin, Ph.D., has been a professional in the field of learning disabilities for over 40 years. He was the founding headmaster of Eagle Hill School, a boarding and day school for children with specific learning disabilities in Greenwich, Connecticut, from 1975–2009. Griffin is a member of the executive committee, board of directors and professional advisory board of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. He consults with foundations, parents and independent and public schools concerning various aspects of learning disabilities, school management and appropriate programming strategies for children with learning disabilities and attention issues. He also works closely with Understood.org, online resources for children with learning and attention issues. Learn more at Learn more at http://Understood.org/en/about/our-experts/mark-griffin Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Most educators want nothing more than a positive school environment where all students feel respected and accepted. And yet, there are daily challenges to creating and maintaining such an environment. Dr. Jennifer Freed takes that challenge directly to students. "We decided the best way to improve climate of schools and communities was to empower teenagers themselves to be the leaders of climate and community, and we developed a training that teaches them, for example, how to intervene in bullying situations with humor and curiosity instead of hate." Annie talks with Jennifer about training teens to be peace builders. About Jennifer Freed (@DrJenFreed) Jennifer Freed, PhD, has worked with teenagers for more than thirty years. She is the co-founder/director of the highly successful teen program called AHA! (established in 1999 as a response to the Columbine massacre). AHA! serves more than 5000 families annually in California as it creates positive attitudes, social harmony, and bridges the achievement gap. Dr. Freed's books include the educational series "Become Your Best Self" as well as "The AHA! Method" as part of her efforts to bring outstanding social and emotional learning curriculum to teens and their families. Learn more at http://JenniferFreed.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Everyone has heard the voice of his or her own "inner critic" taking pot shots at us during times of low self-confidence. For many girls and women that inner critic often mutters (or shouts) about how we look. A running internal monologue of body-shaming can become so ubiquitous we don't even know we're doing it. And yet, without awareness of this self-abuse, how can women truly gain the confidence we need to reach our full potential? How can we stop seeing other women as competitors in a universal beauty competition and start seeing them as friends, mentors, and sister in a support network? Annie talks with Naomi Katz, teacher and author of "Beautiful: Being an Empowered Young Woman", about Beautiful Project, her initiative to empower women to take action into our own hands, to understand that we are the builders of our culture and that we drive the changes that we wish to see, beginning with ourselves and echoing into our communities. About Naomi Katz (@ModelSelfEsteem) Naomi Katz is a writer and teacher and has been working with young women for over 15 years. She is the author of "Beautiful: Being an Empowered Young Woman", and founder of Beautiful Project, a curricular initiative dedicated to building self confidence among adolescent girls and young women. Her work is a call to attention, to recognize that we are the creators of our culture. She focuses on empowering ourselves to take action into our own hands, to understand that we are the builders of our culture and that we drive the changes that we wish to see, beginning with ourselves and echoing into our communities. learn more at http://BeautifulProject.net. Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

The term "special education" is typically used to define "instruction/classes for children with special needs because of physical or learning problems." But what about the special needs of gifted kids? And who falls into that category? The classic definition states that gifted children are those with unusual ability or potential in any one or more of 4-5 areas. Those are: intellect, academics, creativity, performing arts, or leadership. How much ability? How much potential? According to Dr. Jim Webb, author of "A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children", relying solely on that definition is like asking "how dark does dark blue have to be before it is navy blue or darker?" Annie talks with Jim about gifted kids and how parents can best help them understand and use their gifts. About Jim Webb (@SENG_gifted) James T. Webb, Ph.D., ABPP-Cl, a licensed and board-certified psychologist, has been recognized as one of the 25 most influential psychologists nationally on gifted education. In 1981, Dr. Webb established SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted), a national nonprofit organization that provides information, training, conferences, and workshops to parents and educators of gifted children, and he remains as Chair of SENG's Professional Advisory Committee. Another outstanding resource for parents of gifted kids is Hoagies' Gifted Education Page (http://www.hoagiesgifted.org), a website full of articles, books, and links to help support parents, teachers, and gifted children alike. Dr. Webb, has appeared on such national media outlets as Good Morning America, CNN, and National Public Radio. He has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Gifted Children and was President of the American Association for Gifted Children. Currently, Dr. Webb is President of Great Potential Press, Inc. He is the lead co-author of several award-winning books including: "A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children" and "Grandparents' Guide to Gifted Children". Learn more at http://GreatPotentialPress.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Tweens and teens often procrastinate. And when they do, parents may resort to threats, bribes, and/or pep talks. Some parents may lose it and say something like this, "Your whole future is riding on your SAT scores. When the hell are you going to start studying?!" Guess what? Those choice words only add to the pressure your child is already feeling. And nobody works better under pressure. According to Dr. Hendrie "Hank" Weisinger, "Regardless of the task, pressure ruthlessly diminishes our judgment, decision-making, attention, dexterity, and performance in every professional and personal arena." Not what we are going for. Pressure situations are part of every child's life. That's not going to change. Annie talks with Hank about ways parents can help their kids perform under pressure. About Hendrie Weisinger (@PressureTweets) Dr. Hendrie Weisinger is an influential psychologist and two-time New York Times bestselling author. Performing under pressure, giving and taking criticism, managing emotions, responding effectively to the feelings and emotions of others, motivating oneself and others and resolving conflict are all "emotional intelligence skills" that are part of Dr. Weisinger's expertise that has been recognized and sought out by leading business schools, influential government agencies, Fortune 500 Companies, and dozens of professional organizations such as The Young Presidents' Organization. He is a popular blogger for PsychologyToday.com, Huffington Post, and other sites. Dr. Weisinger's books include "Emotional Intelligence at Work", "The Genius of Instinct" and the recent New York Times Bestseller "Performing Under Pressure". Learn more at http://HendrieWeisingerPhd.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

We label people we don't understand. We label people we fear. We label people we have written off as not being worthy of our time or friendship. Labeling people makes them easier to hate. Labeling people can trick us into believing that our hate is justified. The Diversity Center of Northeastern Ohio is a human relations organization dedicated to eliminating bias, bigotry, and racism. Today's podcast is about The Center and its new film, #RethinkLabels, which brings more awareness to the way we use labels to describe other people. Please watch the powerful, 4 minute #RethinkLabels film produced by Goldfarb Weber Creative Media for The Diversity Center. https://youtu.be/0WJlDvNzNN0 Share it with your children. Discuss it. Listen to what your kids have to say about labels. Have a look at a two-day lesson plan for reducing bias and stereotypes in the classroom. Together we can help build communities where all people are connected, respected, and valued. About The Diversity Center (@Diversity_NEO) The Diversity Center's story beings in 1927, when leaders from different faiths met in Cleveland in response to organized campaigns of hatred spreading across America. Today, through ongoing programs for young people and adults, it carries out its mission to build communities where all people are connected, respected, and valued. Annie speaks with Tony Weber, CEO of Goldfarb Weber Creative Media, about the making of #ReThinkLabels and the role we all have in making our communities more equitable places for everyone. Learn more at http://www.diversitycenterneo.org Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Are 21st Century Dads really all that different from 20th century dads? According to parent coach Aaron Schiller, "Today's dads around the world are changing more diapers than ever before." A welcome change, for sure, but in what other ways are dads stepping into a more prominent role in the lives of their sons and daughters? Annie talks with Aaron about helping dads transition into a hands-on relationship with their children, especially if they themselves had a mostly "hands-off" kind of father growing up. About Aaron Schiller (@CoachSchiller) Aaron Schiller coaches and counsels kids and parents who are struggling, like so many of us do–with divorce, school, behavior, a crisis, a big change, or even just feeling disconnected from each other, and he's developed an in-home, whole family model that reaches kids and adults where they live. Aaron has more than fifteen years of experience working with young people as a former Special Education Teacher, Group Home Counselor and Youth Sports Coach. He is also the founder of the Mindful Father Experience, a training designed to support dads in their journey to be more involved, patient, accepting, and loving parents. Learn more about Aaron and his work at http://CoachSchiller.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Parents often have the best intentions. We want the best (and the most) for our kids. But when parents consistently over-function in their role by stepping in and doing the work for the kids, they may end up raising young adults who under-function. "We see in the workplace that these young people aren't as resilient, as adaptable, not as able to be independent or to communicate effectively because they haven't had the opportunity to learn those skills, " says psychologist Joanie Connell, author of Flying Without a Helicopter: How To Prepare Young People for Work and Life. Annie talks with Joanie about parenting with a lighter touch so your kids can learn to do the heavy work life requires of them. About Joanie Connell (@ConnellLessons) Joanie Connell, PhD., is an organizational consultant and leadership coach who specializes in maximizing leadership potential, and the founder and CEO of Flexible Work Solutions, Inc. Dr. Connell works with companies to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Her clients are from Fortune 100 companies, not-for-profit and government agencies, and high tech, biotech, healthcare, finance, legal and other industries. As a professor, she has taught business and psychology students at all academic levels. Learn more at http://FlyingWithout.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Parents are very tuned in to other parents. When we see something in public looks like "bad" parenting, our impulse to judge may be to strong to resist. But a snapshot of a situation doesn't often tell the whole story. You don't know what came before, and you don't know what's going to happen after. Rushing to judgment doesn't help child or parent. It takes a village to raise a child, but what's a concerned villager to do? "Instead of me assuming that (the parent under pressure) needs parenting help, and that I know what you need, it's better to say to come in with curiosity," says parent coach, Mercedes Samudio. "You might say to that parent, 'Hi. How are you doing? What do you need?' That gives the parent a chance to tell you what (if anything) he or she might need in the moment. And if you can help. Great!" Annie talks with Mercedes about ways to help other parents in need rather than rushing to judgement and parent shaming. About Mercedes Samudio (@ParentSkillz) Mercedes Samudio, MSW, works with families to help them develop healthy communication skills, coping skills to manage behaviors, manage severe emotional issues, develop, create dynamic parent-child relationships, and navigate social media & technology. She has worked with adoptive families, foster families teen parents, parents navigating the child protective services system, and children living with mental illness. Mercedes focuses on parent coaching and guiding families to reducing unwanted behaviors, developing effective parenting strategies, creating healthy communication habits, and designing social media/tech plans for their household. Learn more at http://TheParentingSkill.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Bullying is a learned behavior, and we want the perpetrators to _unlearn_ it as quickly as possible. But what and how can targeted kids teach the aggressor? Obviously, if a child is being harassed, he or she needs to tell somebody. But who should kids turn to for help? According to anti-bully activist Tammy Motola, "More than three million kids are bullied at school each year, but only _four percent_ of teachers intervene while that's taking place." Why so few? Is it because "kids will be kids" and according to many adults, bullying is a "rite of passage"? Annie talks with Tammy about the current state of bullying in schools and what we can do to help our kids. About Tammy Motola (@tmotola) Tammy Motola is passionate about healthcare and has a background in nursing and behavioral health. Her desire to help others is evident in her advocacy work across the country and other parts of the world where she speaks frequently about bullying and the effects. She is the founder of Rezilir Health, a healthcare group that is creating resilient health communities by focusing on everything from nutrition to the environment which impacts our health and overall wellbeing. She is the proud mother of four grown children. Learn more at http://TammyMotola.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

We hear a lot about "girl power," but in many ways our culture disempowers girls. How so? According to Dr. Laura Choate, author of Swimming Upstream: Parenting Girls for Resilience in a Toxic Culture, our culture (through stylized clothes, toys, dance classes, TV, movies, pop stars, etc.) teaches girls that they have to "define their worth and value in their appearance. And not just being thin and beautiful, but also being as hot and sexy as possible." Annie talks with Dr. Choate about how parents can make deliberate choices to help their daughters grow into strong resilience young women in spite of the messages of the broader culture. About Laura Choate (@drlaurachoate) Dr. Laura Choate holds the Jo Ellen Levy Yates Endowed Professorship in the College of Human Sciences and Education at Louisiana State University. She has 15 years of experience as a counselor educator at LSU and 16 years as a licensed professional counselor. Her books include Adolescent Girls in Distress: A Guide to Mental Health Treatment and Prevention and Swimming Upstream: Parenting Girls for Resilience in a Toxic Culture. Learn more at DrLauraChoate.wordpress.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

When kids have issues with other kids outside of the school day, it can bleed over into the next day at school. And the day after that. So much so that school hallways and lunchrooms can begin to feel like battlegrounds. How can schools help? "It's definitely not a technology gap," says school administrator Matt Renwick. "Kids are very intuitive and can figure things out on their own." The problem, he says, isn't a matter of giving them the tech tools, it is teaching them how to use technology responsibly. Annie talks to Matt about reducing the social media conflicts by helping kids use those teachable moments to process how to work through conflicts in responsible ways. He also encourages his teachers to provide classroom lessons on the responsible use of social media. About Matt Renwick (@ReadByExample) Matt Renwick is in his seventeenth year in public education. He has been a classroom teacher and a dean of students at the junior high level. Matt is currently an elementary school principal. At his blog, Reading By Example, he writes about the role of the student leader in general and often where leadership and the use of social media intersect. Learn more at http://MattRenwick.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

We know that kids learn by making mistakes, but we're not always comfortable with that reality. As author and educator Tyler Durman puts it, "The way we react to our kids' mistakes really tells them (whether) they are safe to come to us with their imperfections or not. And also our own vulnerability and our willingness to say we're sorry when we've blown it... to invite them into our (personal) journey and the things we (as adults) are working on." Annie talks with Tyler about how life is a journey that includes failure and how we, as parents, can ease off from pressuring our kids to be "perfect" and, instead, help them use mistakes to make progress. About Tyler Durman (@tylerdurman) During the last 24 years, Tyler Durman, speaker, author and former teacher, has had 1000's of one-on-one conversations where students have confided things they've never told anyone. This has given him a unique window into their lives. Author of "Counter Intuitive: What 4 Million Teenagers Wish We Knew," Tyler is sought after by schools and conferences who want to help students make better choices by caring for each other and becoming positive leaders. Learn more at http://BiteSizedWisdom.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

For teens and adults alike, works of fiction are a powerful tool for exploring emotions and behavior. As Los Angeles-based psychotherapist and YA (Young Adult) author Matt Casper puts it, stories can "increase empathy and also imagination, allowing the reader to explore the mind of another." With that perspective, young readers can understand themselves better as well as increase their understanding others. Annie talks with Matt about the therapeutic value of exploring fictional characters, especially characters who are flawed (like all of us!) About Matt Casper (@mattcaspermft) Matt Casper, M.A., MFT, is a psychotherapist and author of more than 20 Emotes books aimed at assisting children with identifying, understanding and expressing emotion. The characters of the "Emotes" each represent a different emotion. In addition to the Emotes books, Matt has also designed and created a wide range of therapeutic resources including board games, interactive toys, and a structured classroom curriculum. Through these stories, games, and educational exercises, the Emotes characters model for children (as well as adults) healthy and fun ways of increasing emotional mindfulness and healthy emotional management. Matt is currently posting twice-weekly installments to his episodic novel for teens, The Ongoing Memoir of Coltrane P. Jones. Learn more at http://Emotes.com and http://RockAFeatherFire.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

It's not easy being a child, tween, or teen with ADHD. It's not easy being the parent of one either. Whether your child has recently received this diagnosis or has lived with it for a while, how you deal with it can have a profound impact on your child's social success in life. Katherine Ellison, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and co-author (with Dr. Stephen P. Hinshaw) of "ADHD: What Everyone Needs to Know", indicates that "A really important part of being a parent of a child with ADHD is to help them understand their effect on you and their effect on kids their age so they can find different ways of relating to people." Annie talks with Katherine about the myths of ADHD and how parents and teachers need to educate ourselves so we can all do a better job providing these children with their best learning and living environments. About Katherine Ellison (@KathEllison) Katherine Ellison is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, public speaker, editor, and writing consultant. Her two main areas of expertise are neuroscience and energy reform. For more than 20 years, Ellison was an award-winning foreign correspondent for Knight-Ridder Newspapers, reporting from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and serving as bureau chief in Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro. She is the co-author of ADHD: What Everyone Needs to Know. Her other books include: "The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes You Smarter" and "Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention". Learn more at http://KatherineEllison.com and Buzz The Year of Paying Attention on Facebook. Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

For most adults, working with teens probably doesn't top their bucket list. Working with delinquent and out-of-control teens is even more challenging. Yet Dr. Patrick M. Duffy, clinical psychologist and author of "Parenting Your Delinquent, Defiant, or Out-Of-Control Teen" really enjoys this population of young people. "There's something about their spirit," he says. "And it's rewarding when you can see someone make progress, whether it's when they get a job, do better at school, get along better with their family." Annie talks with Patrick about the unique challenges and rewards of parenting out-of-control teens and how to keep those kids moving in the right direction. About Patrick Duffy (@PDuffyPsych) Patrick M. Duffy, Jr., PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist, has specialized in working with children and families with significant behavioral challenges since 1993. After working in a community mental health center, psychiatric hospitals, and a children's home, he began working with Multisystemic Therapy, an evidence-based practice. Through his years of experience, he has served as a therapist, a consultant, speaker, and a trainer of therapists across seventeen states and in seven countries outside of the United States. Dr. Duffy is an annual presenter at multiple conferences that attract an international audience of professionals and has also been a presenter at multiple conferences across the country and in Canada. He is the author of "Parenting Your Delinquent, Defiant, or Out-of-Control Teen: How To Help Your Teen Stay in School and Out of Trouble Using an Innovative Systematic Approach." Learn more at http://DrPatrickMDuffy.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

A parent's #1 job is to keep his or her children safe, yet 80% of all child abuse cases involve some form of neglect. We do our best to care for and protect our children in the obvious ways, but what about protecting them from child abuse? Before today's guest, child advocate and trained child forensic interviewer, Ginger Kadlec, became immersed in this work, she admits that she was, like many of us, "...one of those people who knew child abuse existed, but I didn't really have a firm grasp on just how vast a problem it is." Annie talks with Ginger about educating parents and other caring adults to help protect the children in their lives. About Ginger Kadlec (@GingerKadlec) After nearly 20 years pursuing a career as an executive in the technology sector, Ginger Kadlec was presented an opportunity to become the executive director of Chaucie's Place, a child advocacy center focused on the prevention of child sexual abuse and youth suicide. The experience was, as Ginger puts it, "a gift that forever changed my life." She is the founder of BeAKidsHero.com, a parents' resource and training site dedicated to protecting children and stopping child abuse. Learn more at http://BeAKidsHero.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

According to Dr. Devorah Heitner, parents should assess their kids' digital and communication needs before handing over access to any digital media. Wait! Not as soon as they start bugging you for a smart phone? As Devorah puts it, "Because we supervise so much of our kids' face-to-face time with peers, they don't have a lot of practice dealing directly with other kids when there's a conflict." That's why she advocates parents' giving kids lots of practice in working through different scenarios so they can be more thoughtful and respectful when issues come up online. Annie talks to Deborah about empowering parents on mentoring kids in the digital age. About Devorah Heitner (@DevorahHeitner) Devorah Heitner, PhD is the founder and director of Raising Digital Natives, a resource for parents and schools seeking advice on how to help children thrive in a world of digital connectedness. An experienced speaker, workshop leader, and consultant, Dr. Heitner serves as a professional development resource for schools wishing to cultivate a culture of responsible digital citizenship. Learn more at http://RaisingDigitalNatives.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

When Galit Breen posted an article about the lessons of love she'd learned from the first twelve years of marriage, she was stunned by the response. The comments weren't about what she'd written. They were, she says, "... all about how fat I looked in my wedding dress." As much as Galit knew she shouldn't let poison darts from strangers bring her down, the truth is cruelty hurts. Her article about that mind-blowing experience (It Happened to Me) went viral and was featured on the Today Show. Annie talks to Galit about challenging the culture of cruelty and teaching our kids to be kind online. About Galit Breen (@GalitBreen) Galit Breen is a Minnesota based writer whose work has appeared in Huffington Post, Washington Post, and TIME. She is also the author of Kindness Wins, a simple, no-nonsense guide to teaching our kids how to be kind online. Learn more at http://TheseLittleWaves.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

People on social media give themselves license to be incredibly rude to others. And this is the playground our kids hang out in every day. While we can't control what comes out of someone else's mouth (or keyboard), we definitely can learn to monitor what comes out of our own. When we respond to insults with insults, conflicts escalate. To teach people to respond more maturely to criticism, Dr. Jeff Rubin has delineated five different response levels, from most immature to the most respected. "There is something intuitive about this (process)," he says. "Because people would prefer to be treated that way themselves." Annie talks to Dr. Jeff about teaching kids, even teens, to move from insults to respect. About Dr. Jeff Rubin Jeffrey Rubin grew up in Brooklyn, received his PhD from the University of Minnesota and has taught conflict resolution there as well as at a psychiatric clinic, a correctional facility, and a number of public schools. He has published articles on anger and conflict resolution. His books include the "Cool Steve Trilogy", a series of novels, as well as the free ebook "Dealing with Insults, Teasing and Criticism: A Guide Illustrated with America's Favorite Comics". Learn more at http://FromInsultsToRespect.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Children may lie for many reasons. Today's guest, Thierry Koehrlen, says his career as a "big liar" began when he was a child with low self-esteem. "We didn't have much money so when kids bragged I bragged more about going to this place and having these toys. It's just fantasy and then you have to cover your lies. And you're trapped in hell." Annie talks with Thierry about his new book On the Road to Honesty, a unique and dynamic approach that helps kids think through their choices. SPECIAL Free ebook version of On the Road to Honesty (offer good through November 24, 2015) for our Family Confidential audience only. Grab it at http://OnTheRoadToHonesty.com/free_ebook! About Thierry Koehrlen (@OnTheRoadToHonesty) Thierry Koehrlen is a seasoned, serial entrepreneur who has learned a great deal from his successes and even more from a couple of his well-placed failures. With bachelor's degrees in business and philosophy, he is the inventor and co-author of the upcoming On the Road to Honesty, an innovative guide to help explain and teach to children and parents the concepts of truth, lies, dishonesty, honesty, and trust and their impact on our lives. Learn more at http://OnTheRoadToHonesty.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

So much of a teen's life feels like a secret, and parents don't know how to access that secret. Not knowing can cause anxiety and lead to parents' routinely snooping through teens' computers and phones. But what about respectful boundaries? "Boundaries are hard at any age," says author, Susan Morris Shaffer. "I think (parents) really need to model good boundaries and show the kind of respect you expect from your teens. It's important that parents be clear and be intentional about what those boundaries are." Annie talks to Susan about respecting a teen's boundaries, making sure they respect ours, and finding healthy ways to connect as a family in this Digital Age. About Susan Shaffer (@TheSusanShaffer) Susan Morris Shaffer is the director of the Mid-Atlantic Equity Center, an educational non-profit organization that addresses educational equity and gender-related issues. For more than four decades, Shaffer is a nationally recognized expert for her transformational work in public schools. Susan's books (co-written with Linda Perlman Gordon) include: Too Close for Comfort: Questioning the Intimacy of Today's New Mother-Daughter Relationship and Why Boys Don't Talk and Why It Matters: A Parent's Survival Guide to Connecting With Your Teen. Her latest book, How to Connect With Your iTeen: A Parenting Roadmap is the subject of this podcast. Learn more at http://ParentingRoadMaps.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Parents have obsessed over what goes into their kids' mouths since the dawn of dinner time. And for good reason. If your kid doesn't eat s/he won't thrive or even survive. Lack of food is a real problem in many underdeveloped countries. Food distribution is also a real problem in countries where some families starve while others have access to more than enough quality food for their families. It's probably safe to assume that most of us with the resources to access this podcast are fortunate enough to have the resources to provide food in abundance to our families. And yet we still obsess. According to mental healthy professional and parenting expert Iréné Celcer, all this obsessing isn't healthy for the child or the parent. She says, "A successful parent gets out of his or her child's plate and allows children to eat according to the child's hunger. The successful parent does not impinge on the child's sense of being hungry." Annie talks with Iréne about stepping back and letting your child develop their own sense of what it feels like to be hungry and how to satisfy that hunger with healthy amounts of healthy food. About Iréné Celcer (@irenecelcer) Iréné Celcer, MA, LCSW, is originally from Argentina. A mental health professional and parenting expert, her specialities include cultural issues that may affect individuals who need to adapt to their new country. Iréne works with parents whose children are affected by ADD, bullying, eating problems, or body image issues. A regular guest on CNN, she has extensive expertise in eating disorders, body image perceptions, and women's issues. She is the author of 99 Tips to Reset the Table: Parenting in a Society Obsessed with Food, Weight, Obesity, and Body Image. In addition to her writing and philanthropic work, she maintains a private practice. Iréné Celcer lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more at http://IreCelcer.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Back in the day, students only met with school counselors to discuss test scores and schedule classes. With today's students' increasing social and emotional needs, counselors play an essential role in helping teens navigate life. Yet some parents might be uncomfortable with what their kids discuss in "confidentiality" with a school counselor. High School counselor Kevin Kuczynski acknowledges that "confidentiality is something that very important with teens," however he also says that "I try really hard to keep the lines of communication open with parents, so that anything that is even a remote concern, I will encourage (kids) to talk to their parents about it." Annie talks with Kevin about what goes on behind the counselor's door and how parents and counselors can become partners in helping tweens and teens. About Kevin Kuczynski Kevin Kuczynski, MA, LLPC, LSC is a high school guidance counselor providing responsive services including counseling, consultation, referral, and peer mediation. He also helps students establish personal goals and develop future plans including college and career planning. Kevin is the author of Behind the Counselor's Door: Teenagers' Ture Confessions, Trials, and Triumphs. Learn more at http://facebook.com/BehindTheCounselorsDoor and http://KevinKuczynski.wix.com/AchieveGreatness Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Today's tweens and teens spend a lot of time connected to each other on social media. Some of it is just chatter (like many of the texts we send to our friends and family!). But heart-to-heart connections also happen for teens via social media and they know the difference. Parents want to maintain the heart connection with their kids, but kids have ambivalence when it comes to "how close" to be with their parents. As Clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Markham says, "Parents make all kinds of missteps that make teens feel they don't want to be close (to us). When we parent out of fear we push them away." Annie talks with Laura about how to make fewer missteps and keep that parent-teen connection respectful and positive. About Laura Markham (@DrLauraMarkham) Dr. Laura Markham trained as a Clinical Psychologist, earning her PhD from Columbia University. She is the founding editor of AhaParenting.com and also serves as a parenting expert for Mothering.com, Psychology Today, The Natural Parent Magazine and others. Dr. Laura's books include "Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting" and "Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How to Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life." Her relationship-based parenting model has helped thousands of families across the U.S. and Canada find compassionate, common-sense solutions to everything from separation anxiety and sleep problems to sass talk and cell phones. Learn more at http://AhaParenting.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Gender Spectrum, a San Francisco Bay Area non-profit, has a mission to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. That means places where kids have permission to be their full selves in terms of gender, without being harassed or discriminated against in any way. Joel Baum, Gender Spectrum's Senior Director of Professional Development &Family Services puts it this way, "In creating spaces for every child to be their true selves, my greatest motivation is that all children grow up in a world in which all genders are valued and respected." Annie talks with Joel about the role of families, educators, youth leaders and institutions in creating that world for all kids. About Joel Baum and Gender Spectrum Joel Baum is Gender Spectrum's Senior Director of Professional Development &Family Services. San Francisco Bay Area-based Gender Spectrum provides consultation, training and events designed to help youth, families, and organizations understand and address the concepts of gender identity and expression. The accessible, practical approach they use is based on research and experience, enabling our clients to gain a deeper understanding of gender all along the spectrum. In addition, Gender Spectrum provides an array of resources and services to address concepts of gender identity/expression, including how societal definitions of gender can be detrimental to any young person who does not fit neatly into these categories. Learn more at http://GenderSpectrum.org Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

More than 80 percent of tweens and teens are frequent social media users and that number hasn't yet peaked. Through their constant plugged-in time they immerse themselves in pop culture and in the nuances of what their peers think and feel about everything. While our kids are often much more savvy about the latest apps, they are woefully ignorant of the ramifications of their online behavior. Deborah Owen says the most important thing parents can drive home to kids is the fact that "everything they put out there is available for everyone to see. Even if they (kids) think it's not. We tell kids that but they still don't get it!" Annie talks with Debbie about the role of parents in guiding kids in the Digital Age. About Deborah C. Owen (@DeborahCOwen) Deborah C. Owen is a former public school educator and parenting expert/coach. As the school librarian at several high schools, a middle school, and an elementary school, she saw many kids who were hurting, confused, angry, and unmotivated. She made it her mission in the library to create new kinds of projects that would inspire teenagers, that would be relevant to their daily issues, and that would instill the love of learning in their hearts and minds. Deborah is the founder of http://YouCanRaiseGreatKids.com and the author of Social Media Fascination: Embracing Social Media to Build Community, Trust, and Rapport. Learn more at http://YouCanRaiseGreatKids.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

It's not easy being a teen. Being the parent of one is no walk in the park either. Actor/singer/songwriter Maggie Baird puts it this way, "You're so involved in your little kids' lives. You feel so needed. And then they get to be teenagers. They really really need you, but they don't display it in the same way. They don't necessarily want you to be quite as present, and you find yourself at a loss. How do you be this present parent without going out of your mind?" Annie talks with Maggie about her new film, "Life Inside Out," in which she co-stars with her son, songwriter, Finneas O'Connell. Life Inside Out is an honest and beautifully textured mother-son story, based on Maggie's family. Watch the film trailer. About Maggie Baird (@MaggieBMusic) Maggie Baird began her theatrical career in NYC performing on and Off Broadway and in theatres around the country. After moving to Los Angeles she became a company member of The Groundlings where she wrote and performed for many years, while working extensively in Television and Film on such productions as The X-Files, Chicago Hope, Six Feet Under, Manic, and countless others. She is also known for her work as a voice over artist both as a looper and in commercials, animation, and video games, most prominently as Samara in the Mass Effect series. As a singer/songwriter, she has released two CD's and performs her original music in clubs around Los Angeles. She is the co-writer and star of the feature film, "Life Inside Out." Learn more at http://LifeInsideOutTheMovie.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Amy Lang was a sexuality educator throughout her 20's and 30's, who "loved talking to people about sex." But when her four-year-old son made a comment about his penis, she froze. She was so surprised at how uncomfortable she was that she had a eureka moment. "I'm going to have to figure out how to help other parents, and myself, talk to their kids about sexuality." Annie talks with Amy about where that parental discomfort comes from and how we can get past it to empower our kids with the information they need to feel good about themselves and make good choices. About Amy Lang (@birdsandbees) Amy Lang, M.Ed., is a sexuality educator who teaches parents of all beliefs how to have easy, open, and effective conversations with our kids about sexuality, love, and relationships. She founded BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com in 2005. Through that site she's helped thousands of parents "kick-ass when it comes to the sex talks." She's also helped hundreds of professionals who work with children to keep the kids in their care safer from sexual abuse through keynotes and trainings about sexual behavior and development. Learn more at http://BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

When developers first started creating apps for kids, the focus was primarily on math and language arts skills. But now the new hot area for app development is social and emotional learning (SEL). According to USA Today Kid-Tech columnist Jinny Gudmundsen, "As the app world has grown and seasoned a bit, we now are finding app developers tackling all sorts of interesting questions, and it's amazing what you can expose children to (through apps)." Annie talks with Jinny about the best kids' apps for teaching social and emotional skill-building. Jinny Gudmundsen's recommended Social and Emotional Learning apps mentioned in this podcast: "Make Me Smile" by Apptation Inc. "Daniel Tiger's Grr-ific Feelings" by PBS Kids "My Beastly ABC's" by the Duncan Studio "Even Monsters Are" Shy by Busy Bee Studios "Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are" by Electric Eggplant "Middle School Confidential 2: Real Friends vs the Other Kind" by Electric Eggplant "Middle School Confidential 3: What's Up With My Family?" by Electric Eggplant "Loose Strands" by Darned Socks Production About Jinny Gudmundsen (@TechwKids) Jinny Gudmundsen is the Kid-Tech columnist for USA Today. She's also the Editor of Tech with Kids, where she publishes reviews and Best Picks recommendation lists of children's apps, video games, websites, and tech toys. The site's mission is to help parents, grandparents, and teachers find the best tech to use with their kids. Learn more at http://TechWithKids.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

For LGBT youth, one of the hardest things may be coming out to parents. After all, a parents' reaction to the fact that one's child is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender can have a profound impact on that child. Susan Berland, certified parenting coach and mom of an LGBT son says, "Over the years, I've spoken with many LGBT people who never resolved the issue with their parents or their parents never resolved feelings. I've seen the impact this rejection has on these adult children long-term. Many have dealt with substance abuse, some have never really had successful relationships." Annie talks with Susan about providing parents with the support and acceptance they need to love and accept their LGBT children of any age. About Susan Berland (@SusanBerland) Parenting Coach Susan Berland is fiercely committed to guiding parents of gay youth back to a loving, accepting relationship when they are struggling to accept their child as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Trained as a Certified Professional Coach by The Coaches Training Institute, Susan's mission and commitment is to provide the support and tools to bring your family back together. Learn more at http://SusanHopeBerland.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

The tween years are transitional years for kids and parents. Amy Ambrozich, parent educator, defines this period as the shift between the elementary school years ("typically smooth and easy going") to middle school where kids feel like everything is changing, including their place in social groups. A parent's role is changing, too. "They're trying on new skin and now we're parenting a young adult with training wheels. Consistency is the key to getting through these years," says Amy, who counsels parents of tweens in her private practice. Annie talks with Amy about riding the emotional roller coaster together with your child so that kids and parents can transition more smoothly. About Amy Ambrozich (@AmyAmbrozich) Amy Ambrozich, has been a parent educator since 2007. Her background includes a B.A. in clinical and child psychology from Purdue University and an M.A. in School Psychology. Amy founded Dare to Parent, LLC to support parents by providing workshops and consultations that give them the needed strategies to reduce stress and improve the parent-child relationship. Learn more at http://DareToParent.com and on Amy's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Daretoparent. Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

A new definition of family is: a constantly changing, evolving group of people who we feel close to. These folks may or may not be relatives. During the teenage years, changes in family dynamics can challenge the closeness of families. Annie talks with Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski about the "soul" of the family (the "stickiness, the glue that holds the family together), the essential role of the Family Caretaker (the "champion of the soul of the family"), and how all of this can help us become a happier family as our children race toward the teen years and beyond. About Susan Smith Kuczmarski (@sskuczmarski) Susan Smith Kuczmarski, Ed.D. has the pulse on today's families. Trained as a cultural anthropologist, she has extensively researched how children learn social skills and how teens become leaders. During the course of a career that spans more than three decades, Susan has taught at eight universities, worked in three nonprofit educational organizations, including the United Nations, and co-founded an innovation consulting firm, Kuczmarski Innovation, in Chicago. Her books include: "Becoming A Happy Family: Pathways to the Family Soul" and "The Sacred Flight of the Teenager: A Parent's Guide to Stepping Back and Letting Go". Learn more at http://SacredFlight.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Our #1 job as parents is to keep our kids safe. To do that we've got to be vigilant. But is it possible to be overly vigilant? Columnist and author, Lenore Skenazy, would emphatically agree that it is not only possible, but very prevalent amongst 21st century parents (especially moms). According to her, "A lot of parents today see no difference between letting their kids walk to school and letting them walk through a firing range." Annie talks with Lenore about what happens, to us and our kids, when we try to prevent every possible danger and difficulty in our child's everyday life. About Lenore Skenazy (@FreeRangeKids) Lenore Skenazy is a columnist and the host of Discovery Life Channel's reality show World's Worst Mom. She is also the author of Free Range Kids: How to Raise, Safe, Self-reliant Children (Without Going Nuts With Worry). Her book came out of the response to a newspaper column she wrote about letting her then 9-year-old son take the New York City subway home alone. Lenore started the Free Range Kids Project with the aim of challenging parents in a healthy way. She wants to "fight the belief that our children are in constant danger from creeps, kidnapping, germs, grades, flashers, frustration, failure, baby snatchers, bugs, bullies, men, sleepovers and/or the perils of a non-organic grape." Learn more at http://FreeRangeKids.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

When two people marry, and one or both already has children from a previous relationship, there are often unique challenges. According to Judy Graybill, a stepparent coach, the #1 issue that brings couples to her is discipline, specifically, how to mesh different styles of parenting so that what you present, as a couple, is consistent and effective. "When it comes to (step) parenting, there is no 'wrong.' It's about results. Either you get the results you want or you don't." Working together, as a couple, on the differences, without one person feeling like he or she is giving up their core values, is the key to a successful parenting partnership. Annie talks with Judy about working as a team so you're more likely to have a healthy relationship with your stepchildren, one that nurtures you, them, and your marriage. About Judy Graybill (@StepfamilyCoach) Judy Graybill has been a certified stepfamily coach since 2007. Because of her own first-hand experience as a stepmom, she is passionate about helping stepparent, parents, and (step) children. In her coaching practice she helps partners understand these fundamental realities: * a parent can unintentionally sabotage a relationship between his/her biological kids and the partner. * an ex-spouse can (and will) intentionally sabotage a relationship between their biological kids and the stepparent. * a healthy step couple's relationship must come first in order to prevent another separation. The key is teamwork. Learn more at http://StepfamilyCoach.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

I am proud to count myself amongst the many parents and educators who help tweens and teens understand that they have the power to be the change they want to see. But young people are much more likely to get the message (and act on it) when that message comes from other young people. Annie talks with artist, girl power advocate and http://WeStopHate.org Chief Operating Officer, Jeanne Demers about giving girls and guys the key to their own power. About Jeanne Demers (@JeanneDemers) Jeanne Demers is an artist, illustrator, writer and creator of The Ruby Books - helping girls use their ruby slippers (their power) to be compassionate heroes. Jeanne is also the founder and director of http://RealizeWhatMatters.org. And if that isn't enough, she's the Chief Operating Officer of http://WeStopHate.org - a non-profit program dedicated to raising self-esteem in teens (teen-esteem) through various social media platforms that engage teens to help each other gain confidence. Why? Because teens who are happy with themselves won't put others down. Stopping bullying means putting an end to the lifelong, painful consequences that each victim suffers. Raising teen-esteem creates a better world for us all. WeStopHate is more than just an anti-bullying program, it's a call-to-action to stop hate: stop hating on yourself, stop hating on others, stop letting others hate on you. Learn more at http://WeStopHate.org Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

What's wrong with three- and four-year-old girls prancing around in sparkly dresses and tiaras and dreaming the night away hugging a Disney princess doll in a real princess canopy bed? The problem, according to Rebecca Hains, PhD (author of "The Princess Problem: Guiding Our Girls Through the Princess-Obsessed Years"), is the way the "princess culture" suggests to girls that "most of their value comes from their appearance, while also feeding them stereotypes about race, gender, and beauty that they're really not equipped to handle at such a young age." Annie talks with Rebecca about how to raise an empowered girl in a princess world. About Rebecca Hains (@RCHains) Dr. Rebecca Hains is a children's media culture expert. She is a professor of advertising and media studies at Salem State University, where she is the assistant director of the Center for Childhood and Youth Studies. Her research focuses on girls, women, and media. Rebecca's books include "The Princess Problem: Guiding Our Girls through the Princess-Obsessed Years" and "Growing Up With Girl Power: Girlhood On Screen and in Everyday Life". Learn more at http://RebeccaHains.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.