Parenting For The Present

Relationships shape who we are and who we can be. Brian Lowery, Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford, discusses the meaningful ways we can participate in our children's lives. Brian has worked with numerous leaders and organizations to improve their ability to collaborate effectively and to understand the importance of using power effectively, as well as the risks that the feeling of power entails. Tune in this week to hear how we can help our kids be who they want to be!

This week we are joined by Hunter Clarke-Fields. Hunter is the Mindful Parenting course creator, host of the Mindful Parenting Podcast, and author of the international bestseller, “Raising Good Humans,” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day." Tune into this week's episode to hear about easy and practical ways to practice mindfulness and how to model it for our kids.

Are you worried about your child's moral development? Richard Weissbourd dives into the meaning and purpose of mental health challenges among teens and young adults and the effective schools and services for children facing these risks. He is a founder of several interventions for children facing risks, including ReadBoston and WriteBoston, city-wide literacy initiatives that were led by Mayor Menino. 

This week, we are joined by Donna Tetreault, parenting journalist, award-winning author, and international speaker. Do you struggle to find a way to set limits with electronics? Listen to today's episode for how to reset your rules! Her debut children's book, Dear Me, Letters to Myself For All of My Emotions, is a Best-Seller and Readers' Favorite Award-Winner in the Educational Category. Dear Me proactively teaches children positive mental health strategies.    For more information on Donna, visit her website, www.donnatetreault.com 

This week, we are joined by Dr. Melanie McNally, clinical psychologist, brain coach, speaker, and author. Melanie specializes in working with teens and their parents. Tune into this week's episode for more info on learning your role as a parent, how to change your self-talk, and how starting a journal with your child can benefit the relationship between you and your teen! Her newest book, The Emotionally Intelligent Teen: Skills to Help You Deal with What You Feel, Build Stronger Relationships, and Boost Self-Confidence, gives teens and young adults the skills they need to improve their lives. With a deep commitment to guiding Gen Zers toward their most authentic selves, she offers insights and strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by today's youth.  For more on Melanie McNally, go to her website www.destinationyou.net. 

We are joined by Dr. Sarah Bren, a Clinical Psychologist practicing in Westchester, New York. In this episode, we are talking about attachment styles. Sarah answers the questions we are all wondering: How do we have a secure attachment with our child? What creates and supports healthy attachment to our child? Stay tuned to this week's episode for the answers!  Find more about Sarah at her website, www.drsarahbren.com

Speaker, writer, advisor, and thought leader on leadership, culture, conflict, and young people. In this episode, you will learn her rules of teaching from all around the world, that dignity is non-negotiable, and that WE are the newest members of the Rosalind Wiseman fan club! Find more about Rosalind at her website, www.rosalindwiseman.com. 

This week we welcome Dr. Devorah Heitner, author and speaker. Devorah offers strategies for mentoring our kids in an always connected world. In this episode, learn when and how to introduce technology to your kids. Remember that your kids are experiencing life differently than you did! Her two new books on parenting and technology are Growing up in Public: Coming Of Age In A Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Find more about Devorah at her website, www.devorahheitner.com.     

This week you are hearing DOUBLE! We are joined by Dr. Wells Housson! Dr. Wells Housson is a board-certified Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Housson has extensive experience treating a wide range of women's issues, including depression, postpartum depression, anxiety, postpartum anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, disordered eating, and body-image issues. Find more about Wells Housson at her website, www.drwellshousson.com

This week, we are joined by Jennifer Harris, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and faculty member with The Ellyn Satter Institute. We dive into all things nutrition for your kids, and talk about the importance of family meals, seeing food as neutral and not getting hung up on the virtue of food. Learn more about the Satter Feeding Models at: www.ellynsatterinstitute.org

This week, we are joined by Madeline Levine, a Ph.D. psychologist with over 35 years of experience as a clinician, consultant, educator, and author. Her current book, Ready or Not, focuses on how to best prepare our children and ourselves for an uncertain and rapidly changing world. Listen to this week's podcast to learn the four ways to be a better parent in the new year!  Find more about Madeline Levine at her website, www.madelinelevine.com.

This week, we welcome Dr. Mary Ann Little. Mary Ann Little, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist who has been in private practice for over four decades, which has rewarded her to watch children grow to be adults to become parents themselves. Her most recent book, Childhood Narcissism, offers strategies to raise unselfish, unentitled, and empathetic children. Listen to learn why it's essential for parents to be more invested in their children's emotional growth rather than their outcome, even if you think they are the next Bill Gates or Thomas Edison.   For more information, visit www.drmaryannlittle.com  

We, as parents, have to get comfortable with watching our kids fail. It's part of the learning curve and letting them become independent. Join us this week to hear insights from Author and Speaker Michelle Icard! This episode will leave you with the question of how our teenage experience informs our parenting style.  Follow Michelle Icard at @michelleicard and visit www.michelleicard.com for more content and information!

This week, we are joined by Dr. Wendy Model. Wendy is a clinical psychologist and New York Times best-selling author. In this episode, we learn about the problem of device usage and how it starts with you as a parent. Her most recent book, Voice Lessons for Parents: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Listen, offers guidance for communicating with children across the expanse of childhood and adolescence and explains the most effective ways to talk about your child to teachers, coaches, nannies and caretakers, grandparents, and partners.

This week, we are joined by The Birds & Bees! We dive into getting rid of the awkward talk at the awkward age. Building a vocabulary so that when more complicated conversations come up, it's not all new information, but you've been building information from the beginning. If you can talk about THIS with your kids, you can talk about ANYTHING with them!   Follow Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley @birds__bees and visit www.Birds-Bees.com for more content and information!

We are joined by Dr. Jane Nelson. Jane is a licensed marriage, family, and child therapist. In this weeks episode learn about the three R's of punishment and the long term results it can have on your children. Jane is the author and/or coauthor of four books including Positive Discipline Parenting Tools with two of her children and her latest book Positive Discipline for the Montessori Classroom.  Find more about Jane Nelson at her website, www.janenelsen.com.     

As we head into our 5th annual Mending Minds 5k, we reflect on our “why” behind service! Andy, Early, and Matthew discuss their “why” behind Parenting for the Present and how they implement the service mentality into their lives and homes. You might even get a quick history lesson into what pluralism is! We are feeling grateful, humbled, and excited for the future of Parenting for the Present! 

In this episode, we are joined by Phyllis Fagell. Phyllis is a licensed mental health therapist and a nationally board certified school counselor. She's currently a counselor at Landon School and a therapist in private practice at Chrysalis Group in Bethesda, Maryland. Phyllis is the author of the bestselling books "MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS, The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond – and How Parents Can Help," and the recently released "MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPERPOWERS, Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times." Through her work, she brings us the 12 superpowers you want your kids to have and the vulnerability and work it takes to get there. This conversation is honest, humble, and hugely helpful for those of us parenting or about to parent this precious phase of life.   Find out more about Phyllis Fagell at her website, phyllisfagell.com

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of social intelligence and emotional regulation with renowned expert Michelle Garcia Winner, creator of Social Thinking. Michelle shares her personal journey of how a difficult relationship and volunteer work at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism ignited her passion for understanding and helping individuals with social communication challenges. Through her decades of work and research, she has concluded that building social competencies is a lifelong journey that requires curiosity, compassion, and patience. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just curious about human interaction, this episode will deepen your understanding of the dynamic interplay between social communication and emotional intelligence.

As we try to live into new routines with our kids over the summer, it's all too easy to fall into unhealthy patterns. We're juggling things the best we can, but often find ourselves in survival mode instead of proactively parenting our children. Our hosts thought it was a good time to take a step back to examine where we might find these pitfalls and discuss ways to avoid them. 

Fairness - from about age 3 onward, we as a species seem enamored with it. We know instinctively when something doesn't feel fair, and we don't like it one bit. We see battles rage and opinions fly on the playground, in the lunchroom, in the boardroom, and on the political stage.  But how do we navigate the concept of fairness with our kids? Is fairness… justice? Is it… equality? Equity? Is it fair to want everything to be fair all the time? It's complicated. So today, our three hosts dive into a discussion about all of this and more; their conversation takes interesting and inspiring turns that you won't want to miss.

Today we lean into the spiritual side of our mind, body and spirit approach, asking the question - how do we help foster and nourish our children's spiritual lives? Our guests today had the same question in their families; their solution was to write a children's book. Victoria Robb Powers and Cameron Mason Vickrey are the authors of the soon-to-be-published My Love, God Is Everywhere. In this conversation, the tell the story of how the book came about and the message they hope it conveys to children (and their parents) asking questions about God. 

Today, our cohosts welcome another set of cohosts - specifically, Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers of the Pantsuit Politics podcast. The show has been featured in the New York Times, the Atlantic, and was named by Apple Podcasts as one of the Best Shows of 2021. Sarah and Beth are also the authors of I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation and, more recently, Now What?: How to Move Forward When We're Divided (About Basically Everything).  They also happen to both be mothers, and have lived what it means to examine the realities of division and strife in our world today and dialouge with children in a way that lends grace and hope. Sarah and Beth share stories and wisdom from their personal and professional lives in a conversation you won't want to miss.

Connection is the lifeblood of the human experience. True connection is built on trust and offers an authentic sense of belonging. If we all deeply seek these things, why are they so elusive? Listen in as our three hosts have an honest and challenging conversation about these basic needs and how we satisfy them for ourselves and foster them for our children in a world that increasingly pushes back. 

Anxiety and OCD can be dehabilitating for anyone to live with - so how do we care for children facing these struggles so early in life? Natasha Daniels, founder of AT Parenting Survival (anxioustoddlers.com), has been both guiding parents on this journey as an Anxiety and OCD Child Therapist, and walking the road herself as a mother of three children with anxiety and OCD. Her unique blend of training and experience has showed her what is helpful, how to be an advocate, and how to see your child as more than just their struggles. 

Welcome to Season 4 of Parenting For The Present! We are thilled to be back with you, engaging in conversations aimed at helping you understand your children - and yourself - more fully. To start this new chapter, we welcome Dr. Denise Walker to the podcast. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and current Adjunct Instructor at Southern Methodist University, where she mentors students through teaching and training. By way of her wisdom and experience, Dr. Walker brings us fresh ideas on what it means to be humble, uncomfortable, and accepting as a parent, and as a person. 

According to Dr. Josh Packard, “Gen Z is the most unique generation that has ever existed, and earning their trust requires that you do things more differently than ever.” Anyone with personal experience with members of this generation (including parents of Gen Z kids) are likely to agree. Josh has spent the better part of two decades devoting his time, effort, and research into better understanding how this new generation is making meaning in their lives. He is the former executive director of the Springtide Research Institute, and is now an independent consultant helping faith-based and mission-driven organizations engage and connect with Gen Z to create belonging, build loyalty and discover purpose and meaning.  Josh brings a wealth of knowledge, corroborated by years of research, to this conversation. He will ask you to consider new ways of thinking of, being with, and accepting Gen Z. And these new questions and approaches might just be the key to connecting with someone of that age in your life. 

In your most anxious moments, do you find yourself stopping and saying, "Oh, my anxiety is back! What a useful and clarifying tool this is. I'm so grateful I feel this way right now!" While that sounds outlandish at best, you may reconsider your position after listening to this conversation. Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary (anxiety researcher & author, psychology and neuroscience professor, and founder of Wise Therapeutics) is here to challenge the idea of anxiety-as-a-disease. That instead of treating anxiety like a sickness to be eradicated, we should look to it as an evolved advantage that protects us and strengthens our creative and productive powers. She backs her thesis with both the latest research and her personal experience, showing the power that can come from redefining what anxiety is and what it can teach us. 

Preparing our children for college is undeniably daunting. But for them to make use of that preparation, they have to get in first! Beth and Greg Langston understand how challenging and overwhelming the college application process can be, and have set out to guide teens (and their parents) through the process. They bring their decades of experience in leadership, education, parenting and the corporate world to both their business and our audience today. This conversation is filled with practical tips and tricks for the college application process, and larger lessons in preparing your children to be well-adjusted, successful adults who will make a difference in the world.   College Flight Plan Website College Flight Plan Facebook Page

Whether it's from her boots-on-the-ground experience as a teacher, or her nose-in-the-research experience as an author, Deborah Farmer Kris has done the work when it comes to studying childhood development. SIn addition to her work as a for PBS KIDS for Parents and MindShift, an NPR learning blog, she is now the author of the critically-acclaimed “All The Time" children's book series.  Deborah joins us today to share practical tips backed by reseach, and her experience as a mom, on how to encourgage physical activity, build character, and foster emotional wellness in your kids.”

As any parent knows, these kids don't come with an instruction manual. They DEFINITLY don't come with turn-by-turn directions. But, what if we had a compass? Something that didn't hold all the specific answers we might be seeking, but instead continually pointed us in the right direction? Jenn Curtis and Cindy Muchnick, authors of the book The Parent Compass, had this very thought. They saw how bragging rights and bumper stickers were some of the social forces fueling today's parenting behavior, and as a result even well-intentioned parents were missing the mark. They join us today to share their findings, and illustrate what focuses and actions can help us guide our kids from children to kind, intentional, independent adults.

Whether it's due to frustration, or anger, or just pure exhaustion - we all have moments with our kids we wish we could take back. And while that's not truly an option, we do have the opportunity to look forward, learn from our mistakes, and develop our skills as parents to better handle future situations that will arise.  This is essentially the origin story of Positive Parenting Solutions, founded by our guest today, Amy McCready. Through her own experience as a mother of two boys, she found herself needing a more positive and thoughtful approach to parenting. Her humble, but desperate realization ignited a lifelong fire to solve these power struggles in her home once and for all. And after seeing how these positive methods could work firsthand, she chose to share them with the world.  She joins us today to do just that; share positive parenting approaches that have changed the dynamics of thousands of families for the better.

Welcome to Season 3 of Parenting For The Present! Any time we enter a new season - of life, or of a podcast - it can be useful to reflect and reset. As the new school year begins and we begin to see glimmers of a new post-COVID reality, we decided to pause and examine both where we've been and where we're headed next. We also discuss family rhythms, routines, and rituals, from overarching philosophies to helpful practical tips. If you're looking to set a new and purposeful course for your family in this new season of life, join us!

As our guest today, Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, says, depression and anxiety are pediatric illnesses. These are pervasive issues that affect a large number of children and teens. He has seen this not only anecdotally as many of us have, but in his distinguished career as a psychiatrist and researcher. Madhukar H. Trivedi, M.D., is Professor, Chief of the Division of Mood Disorders, and Director of the Comprehensive Center for Depression in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Trivedi, holder of the Betty Jo Hay Distinguished Chair in Mental Health, is an established efficacy and effectiveness researcher in the treatment of depression. His research focuses on pharmacological, psychosocial, and nonpharmacological treatments for depression. Dr. Trivedi shares with us today many of his findings, as well as practical steps we as parents can take when we have concern for the mental health of our children.

The world of social media can be a staggering and scary one when it comes to our kids. It's vastly complex, always changing, and filled with potential harm. At the same time, it can provide inspiration and connection. So how do we help our children acclimate well to the virtual world? Dr. Angela Patterson joins us, for the second time, to discuss this ever-evolving challenge. Her recently completed doctoral work in media psychology looked at how media and technology affect cultural institutions. Specifically, her research focuses on how digital media affects the religious and spiritual development of adolescents and young adults. In these formative years, it is crucial that we help guide our kids, while being open to learning from them as well. 

Anxiety is rampant in our world today. And, on the whole, it's getting worse; reports of anxiety have literally doubled in the last two years since the start of the pandemic. Unfortunately, this is not just a grown-up problem; children are facing anxiety at record rates as well. But, as Dr. Eli Lebowitz points out in this episode, there is hope. Dr. Lebowitz is Director of the Program for Anxiety Disorders at the Yale Child Study Center. As he lays out in our conversation today, anxiety is the most treatable mental health issue. He says the "world is full of children who used to have an anxiety disorder." And he is helping to make that true. Dr. Lebowitz develped SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) - a parent-based treatment program for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related problems. From his research and experience with this program, he brings us stories and guidelines for how we as parents can best support children with anxiety.   Find out more about SPACE at spacetreatment.net

It's easy for parents of a boy to reason that their number one job is to turn him into a good man. And while the heart behind that sentiment is pure, it can lead to approaches that are less than helpful in achieving that goal. We carry with us the way we were raised, and what we see presented culturally and historically as the journey from boyhood to manhood. While some of these methods are good and right, others are ineffective or even hurtful. This conundrum called out to Dr. Michael Reichert, our guest today. He has spent over 35 years researching the things that allow boys to flourish in their families, schools and communities, all while applying his findings in his clinical practice and several published books. He brings those findings and his experience to us today to help us understand the deep connection that is required to raise boys well.  

Adolescence is a strange, wonderful journey. We get to watch our children begin their journey into adulthood, with all the pitfalls and joys that accompany it. Middle school is an especially pivotal time, when our kids start to form their own identities and beliefs - and when we as parents see our role begin to change in their lives as well. Our guest today, Phyllis Fagell, has taken a particular interest in this age group. In addition to her work as the school counselor for Sheridan School in Washington, D.C., Phyllis provides therapy to children, teens and adults in private practice at the Chrysalis Group, Inc. and is a frequent contributor to the Washington Post. She saw a gap in the current parenting conversations, often lumping middle schoolers in with either their younger elementary school or older high school counterparts. This led her to author an incredibly insightful book, titled Middle School Matters. This conversation is honest, humble, and hugely helpful for those of us parenting, or about to parent, this precious phase of life.  Find our more about Phyllis Fagell at her website, phyllisfagell.com

Sometimes, in the midst of difficult parenting moments, it's hard to pull back and gain perspective. So what can we do to equip ourselves to give our best to our kids in the hardest moments? Reverend Kim Meyers, Pastor of Family Ministry and Community Outreach at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, has sought answers to this question. Her search, combined with her experience as a mother of two, has resulted in a brand new book, titled Parenting With Perspective. She explores not only practical parenting techniques, but ways for parents to care for themselves so that they're ready for the challenges that inevitably come.  Let this conversation encourage and inspire you to see the bigger picture in your family! Find our more about Kim at kimmeyers.org

As our hosts discussed amongst themselves what they hoped for Season 2, a theme emerged; how do we navigate stress, conflict, and anxiety? Even though they look different in each of our stories, these realities are universal to the human experience. So if we can't avoid these challenges, how do we handle them well? Both personally, and for our families? They thought it best to turn the mics on and share this discussion with the entire Parenting For The Present family.

Invariably, we all want what is best for our children. As parents, we would give anything for them to be happy, successful, and fulfilled. But that eagerness to give them the world can create problems. If we move from being a teacher and advocate to something more, we run the risk of stripping them of the opportunity to learn and grow into the fullness of who they could be.  This conundrum fascinates Julie Lythcott-Haims, compelling her to help parents raise healthy, self-sufficient kids. She is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult which gave rise to a popular TED Talk. Her second book is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning prose poetry memoir Real American, which illustrates her experience as a Black and biracial person in white spaces. Her third book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, has been called a “groundbreakingly frank” guide to adulthood. This episode is full of both helpful advice and touching stories, both of which are sure to inspire you on your parenting journey.

Welcome to Season 2 of Parenting For The Present! We're back to continue the conversation on how to be a proactive parent. We're all looking for tools and wisdom that will help us on our parenting journey; our good friend Joey Schewee joins us today to share something that has shaped not only her parenting, but her marriage and professional life as well. As an Enneagram 8 who has been a student of the Enneagram for twenty five years, Joey has seen the profound effect this tool can have on families. She and her husband, Billy, have a genuine passion for teaching the Enneagram and have used their parenting experience to create an intuitive Enneagram & Parenting curriculum for families seeking to benefit from this ancient wisdom. Whether you know your Enneagram number, or have never heard the word "Enneagram," there is knowledge and encouragement in this episode for you!

Get ready! Season 2 premieres this coming Monday, October 11. This season, Early, Matthew and Andy ask the question, “What are the virtues of proactive families?” With each guest, they build the case for a virtue through parenting for the present. Listen and learn with them as, together, they dig deep into the powerful practices of experts and friends along the way. You won't want to miss it - subscribe now!

We're taking a bit of a break for the summer as we prepare for Season 2 - give this trailer a quick listen to hear how it's all coming together, and when we'll be premiering the first episode of the new season!

After a fantastic first year of our podcast, we thought it was time to take a look back with appreciation, and a look ahead with anticipation. Up to this point, all of our conversations about the direction of the show have been away from the microphone - but no more. Today, come sit at our table as we hash out what Season 2 of Parenting For The Present might hold. 

When it comes to standardized tests for our kids, preparations matters - just maybe not in the way you think. Ned Johnson, an expert on such preparation, doesn't just focus on the material; he addresses stress reduction, anxiety management, and intrinsic motivation. He reveals how grade hunting doesn't prepare our kids for adulthood near as well as developing their own passionate pursuits, and has the science to back it up. Ned's clear, thoughtful approach to parenting is sure to be a gift to you and your family.

We’ve likely all heard the idiom “happy campers” thrown around - maybe even from our own mouths as we wish a better attitude on our kids! But for Audrey Monke, those two words have taken on a whole new meaning. She has taken her 36 years of experience as a summer camp owner/director and turned it into a parenting website, a podcast, and now a book - titled “Happy Campers”. In the book, and on this episode, she shares with us camp secrets for raising kids who become thriving adults. She has seen what works at camp, and is inviting each of us to bring a little of that camp spirit into our homes and families. Find out more about Audrey and her parenting resources at sunshine-parenting.com

We all want to keep our children safe. But we also want them to become self-sufficient, fully formed adults; so how do we balance both? This question is always challenging to answer, but particularly so when it comes to exposure to drugs and alcohol. New York Times bestselling author Jessica Lahey joins us today to discuss her new book, The Addiction Inoculation, in which she details, through story and research, how to 'raise healthy kids in a culture of dependence.' She talks about finding the right balance between the risk factors and protective factors in a child's life and how to prioritize your child's social-emotional health over the constant pursuit of perfection. 

The world is changing. Rapidly. And while that's news to no one, its effects can sometimes range further than we initially realize. Teenage lives are far from untouched; actually, it seems like they may be more affected than almost any other age group. And when it comes to parenting those teenagers, the methods that may have worked when we were growing up seem less and less relevant, and less and less effective. Dr. Christine Carter has picked up on these trends. Through both research and her personal experience as a mom of four, she has dug deep into what she is calling this 'new adolescence' to figure out how best to guide our teens into adulthood. She is here today to share her findings and wisdom with us in a deeply knowledgeable but approachable way, which is sure to leave you inspired to connect even more deeply with your children.

When looking for solutions to the second leading cause of death for persons ages 10-23, you would be forgiven if you didn't turn first to an opera singer. But if you didn't, you'd miss out on the life-changing work that Eddie Coker is doing to improve social-emotional intelligence in young people. Eddie's journey has led him from the theater stage to a much different stage - one on which he stands to educate and inspire young people, reminding them of the joy and wonder that is life on this planet. He recounts his journey on our podcast today, sharing the many steps that brought him to this work and the passion that keeps it moving forward.   Find out more about Eddie's work through his organization, The Wezmore Project  

If we were to boil down our hopes and dreams for our children into one word, it would be hard to think of a better one than 'thrive'. No matter the specifics, we want to see our kids be happy, healthy, and successful. But, due to social pressures and outdated cultural norms, it can be easy to put our parental energy in the wrong places on our quest to help thrive. So how do we help them become their fullest selves? Dr. Michele Borba has taken the better part of 40 years to answer that question. She is an internationally renowned educator, award-winning author, and parenting child expert recognized for her solution-based strategies to strengthen children’s character, resilience, and reduce peer cruelty. All of that experience has led to her most recent book, Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine. Through vigorous research, she has uncovered the seven essential traits that kids (and adults) need to thrive. She joins our hosts today to discuss her findings and offer parents of every stage encouragement and guidance on how to best guide our children's social and emotional development.