Short and Sweet Parenting Tips

How can parents help transition their graduating teenager into supporting themselves? Donna Bartee shares her wisdom on how empower your young adult while coaching them through this experience. 

Veteran Mom, Donna Bartee, shares her approach to transition teenagers from an allowance to real-life earning, saving and spending.  

Is your youngster ready to start having a little spending money, but not quite a full-blown allowance? The nickel jar combines a money-earning system that also encourages good behavior. (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #49B.) 

Is your youngster ready to start having a little spending money, but not quite a full-blown allowance? The nickel jar combines a money-earning system that also encourages good behavior. (For the kid's activity, you will need paper; crayons, markers, or colored pencils; optional: masking/painters tape) 

This Fall, Short and Sweet Parenting Tips will dive deeper into topics that are sometimes difficult to bring up in normal conversations with other parents. We will coach parents in a way that covers these tough issues from multiple angles, so that you can feel informed and decide what is right for your family. Have a subject you'd like covered? Please share in the comments! Have a friend who might be interested? Spread the word and share this link! 

“The List” allows your child to purchase big-ticket items without giving them more money that might be spent on impulse buys. It also rewards your kiddo for saving money. (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #48B.) 

“The List” allows your child to purchase big-ticket items without giving them more money that might be spent on impulse buys. It also rewards your kiddo for saving money (For the kid's activity, you will need masking tape) 

A guide to helping coach your kids through spending choices, and ideas on how to develop systems where your child is responsible for their purchases. Plus, Anne will walk-through conversations to have with your kids at the store. (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #47B.) 

A guide to helping coach your kids through spending choices, and ideas on how to develop systems where your child is responsible for their purchases. Plus, Anne will walk-through conversations to have with your kids at the store. (For the kid's activity, you will need streamers/crepe paper and masking tape – masking tape alone will do) 

Establishing an allowance for your kiddos has the potential to reduce whining and begging at the store, as well as cultivate responsibility, healthy spending habits, and self-esteem. This episode also covers other sources of income like chores, grades, and gift money. [music credit: bigmanjoe] (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #46B.) 

Establishing an allowance for your kiddos has the potential to reduce whining and begging at the store, as well as cultivate responsibility, healthy spending habits, and self-esteem. This episode also covers other sources of income like chores, grades, and gift money. [music credit: bigmanjoe] 

Use your children’s 5 senses to neutralize stress and help your kids reset. Learn easy ways to help your kids work through emotions or frustrations in a way that will bring peace and laughter to your home. (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #45B.) 

Use your children’s 5 senses to neutralize stress and help your kids reset. Learn easy ways to help your kids work through emotions or frustrations in a way that will bring peace and laughter to your home. 

Learn how to avoid defining your children by specific roles or character traits, and how putting specific expectations on your kids can add stress. Don & Gina also cover autonomy and how encouraging your kids to make decisions can protect them as they grow by teaching them independent thinking. (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #44B.) 

Learn how to avoid defining your children by specific roles or character traits, and how putting specific expectations on your kids can add stress. Don & Gina also cover autonomy and how encouraging your kids to make decisions can protect them as they grow by teaching them independent thinking. 

Is yelling or punishment the only way your kid will listen? Tune in for alternatives like setting expectations, using positive discipline, redirecting, and cultivating problem-solving skills to prevent undesirable behaviors in the first place. (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #43B.) 

Is yelling or punishment the only way your kid will listen? Tune in for alternatives like setting expectations, using positive discipline, redirecting, and cultivating problem-solving skills to prevent undesirable behaviors in the first place. 

“Communication is either a driver of anxiety or a reducer of anxiety”. Don and Gina are back to share strategies to communicate with your kids in a way that diffuses anxiety and minimizes frustration. (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #42B.) 

“Communication is either a driver of anxiety or a reducer of anxiety”. Don and Gina are back to share strategies to communicate with your kids in a way that diffuses anxiety and minimizes frustration. 

Therapists Don and Gina are back to discuss the importance of respect in a parent-child relationship, and how parents can cultivate this. Respect is a foundational aspect as we move forward in future episodes on helping parents reduce anxiety during the pandemic. (If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #41B.) 

Therapists Don and Gina are back to discuss the importance of respect in a parent-child relationship, and how parents can cultivate this. Respect is a foundational aspect as we move forward in future episodes on helping parents reduce anxiety during the pandemic. 

Focused Healthy Family founders, Don and Gina Grothoff, guide parents through tangible ways to not only minimize anxiety now, but also post-COVID and beyond, as these tactics can cultivate beneficial skills that your children will need to be healthy, successful adults. 

Discover some easy and inexpensive family activities that will encourage comradery and team work in your family…most of them can be done around home.(If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #39B.) 

Discover some easy and inexpensive family activities that will encourage comradery and team work in your family…most of them can be done around home. 

Robby and Anne share some specific activities that you can adapt to your own household dynamics to boost a team atmosphere, increase your kids’ security, and provide structure to your family.(If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #38B.) 

Robby and Anne share some specific activities that you can adapt to your own household dynamics to boost a team atmosphere, increase your kids’ sense of security, and provide structure to your family. 

Join Anne & Robby for two more foundational approaches to help your family establish a TEAM atmosphere. Learn the difference between fair and equal, and what that means to your family. Also, we’ll discuss how critical it is to give everyone in your household the benefit of the doubt, especially after misunderstandings or assumptions.(If you are interested in the optional Kids Activity, see previous episode #37B.) 

Join Anne & Robby for two more foundational approaches to help your family establish a TEAM atmosphere. Learn the difference between fair and equal, and what that means to your family. Also, we’ll discuss how critical it is to give everyone in your household the benefit of the doubt, especially after misunderstandings or assumptions. 

Many of us acknowledge that a group of people working as a team is one of the most powerful forces, but how can we incorporate that into our family life? Between kids going in all directions and living in a culture that encourages us to look out for ourselves, what’s the point? The BIG PICTURE Part 1 features a special guest who will partner with Anne to give a little history to this theory, and then discuss how to be deliberate about building up “TEAM [Insert Your Last Name Here]”. (This episode does NOT include the added activity for kids. If you are interested in that option, see previous episode #36B.) 

Many of us acknowledge that a group of people working as a team is one of the most powerful forces, but how can we incorporate that into our family life? Between kids going in all directions and living in a culture that encourages us to look out for ourselves, what’s the point? The BIG PICTURE Part 1 features a special guest who will partner with Anne to give a little history to this theory, and then discuss how to be deliberate about building up “TEAM [Insert Your Last Name Here]”. 

In this final episode in the Resiliency Series, learn how to help your kids deal with bullies, and how to provide them with an easy acronym to personally interact with others (without cell phones or technology). We also have an acronym to assist us adults in social situations, too! Kelly Miller, Positive Psychology Coach and Certified/Licensed Resilience Trainer, is back to guide us through the final two steps to becoming more resilient – and leaving COVID stronger than ever.

Discover how to open communication between you and your teen/tween with a method that gives both of you a safe space to communicate without escalating a situation. We also discuss the difference between an optimistic and pessimistic communication style, and how to encourage your child to question and process their negative feelings. Part 2 welcomes back Positive Psychology Coach and Certified/Licensed Resilience Trainer, Kelly Miller, who offers sage advice to help the entire family “Be Resilient”.

As we near the anniversary of the world-wide COVID pandemic, resiliency is essential to successfully navigate our way forward. Learn how resilience is actually a skill that can be developed and honed – not just by our children. Join Kelly Miller, Positive Psychology Coach and Certified/Licensed Resilience Trainer, as she brings meaning to this buzzword, provides easy steps to build your resiliency muscle, and offers perspective to gain a positive mindset.

Join Kevin and Marsha, co-hosts of the “Becoming Black Excellence” podcast, as they share the ins and outs of their journey moving from young adulthood to parenthood. Learn about their conscious decision to regain the joy in their professional and personal lives, their passion for passing on a legacy of kindness to the next generation, and their successful efforts to keep their own relationship fun and fulfilling. Hey DADS! We hope you’ll be inspired by Kevin’s approach to parenting, too.

Whether you are doing school virtually, in-person, or hybrid, you probably have certain things you want your kids to do in the morning before school. Anne will share some ideas on how this might work for all different ages, including your youngsters who aren’t reading yet. This will pay off for you, as well as giving your kid a sense of accomplishment and boosting their self-esteem. [Sound effect courtesy of Zajjman] (This episode does NOT include the added activity for kids. If you are interested in that option, see previous episode #31B.)

Whether you are doing school virtually, in-person, or hybrid, you probably have certain things you want your kids to do in the morning. Anne will share some ideas on how this might work for all ages, including your youngsters who aren’t reading yet. This will pay off for you, as well as giving your kid a sense of accomplishment and boosting their self-esteem. [Sound effect courtesy of Zajjman]

Join a special guest who discusses ways to instill the love of reading in your kids, whatever their age.

Get ready for more great tips on how to develop delayed gratification in your kids. Plus, get the most recent research on the topic, which reveals some surprising results. And you’ll want to make sure to be aware of a few things parents do to unknowingly jeopardize their kid’s ability to delay gratification/wait. (See episode 29B below for included kid’s activity)

Get ready for more great tips on how to develop delayed gratification in your kids. Plus, get the most recent research on the topic, which reveals some surprising results. And you’ll want to make sure to be aware of a few things parents do to unknowingly jeopardize their kid’s ability to delay gratification/wait.

Find out how the original Marshmallow test still applies to kids today, and discover five methods parents can use to cultivate delayed gratification in their kids. Part 2 will cover current studies and provide additional techniques. (See episode 28B below for the included kid’s activity)

Find out how the original Marshmallow test still applies to kids today, and discover five methods parents can use to cultivate delayed gratification in their kids. Part 2 will cover current studies and provide additional techniques

The final episode of the Sleep Solutions series. Sleep Expert, Christine Stevens, reveals the number one sleep problem with children and toddlers, offers advice and insight for adolescents, and debunks the biggest myth. Plus some perspective on bedtime tantrums and setting boundaries.

Sleep is critical to the health of all children and toddlers. Sleep Expert, Christine Stevens, discusses sleep needs for toddlers and older – including when and how to drop naps, whether or not to use nightlights, and what to do when your kid is overtired. Part 1 also includes red-flags for a possible sleep issue, sleep hygiene, insight on finding your kid’s sleep window, and working with your child’s unique sleep habits.

We welcome back Sleep Expert, Christine Stevens, who shares insight on topics including how to get your baby out of poor sleeping cycles and when to know if you need to seek outside help. Plus, we’ll debunk some sleep myths.

Join Sleep Expert Christine Stevens as we discuss the number one sleep problem and its solution, what to do if your baby is overtired or overstimulated, and what sleep hygiene should look like with your baby. BONUS CONTENT: how to get out of the cycle of using props to get your baby to fall asleep, the importance of swaddling, and recommended sleep times.

Helping your kid have a healthy relationship with food is a gift that can affect your child their whole life. Learn the pitfalls to using food to motivate your child, and discover some creative ways to work around it.(This episode does NOT include the added activity for kids at the beginning. If you are interested in that option, see previous episode #23B.)

Helping your kid have a healthy relationship with food is a gift that can affect your child their whole life. Learn the pitfalls to using food to motivate your child, and discover some creative ways to work around it.

If you could do something in your life to increase your quality of sleep, strengthen your immune system, improve relationships, and reduce aches, pains and even blood pressure…all FREE of charge, wouldn’t you think it’s too good to be true? Consistently practicing gratitude can unlock these proven benefits and many more. This episode is especially for parents and other adults.

This episode includes everything you need to know when making this decision – including readiness questions, whether or not to pay your kids, and how to prepare them so that the experience is positive for everyone involved. (This episode does NOT include the added activity for kids at the beginning. If you are interested in that option, see previous episode #21B.)

This episode includes everything you need to know when making this decision – including readiness questions, whether or not to pay your kids, and how to prepare them so that the experience is positive for everyone involved.

Anne wraps up this extensive series on kids using cell phones by revealing some major threats to our children’s safety posed by social media that every parent should be aware of, but few know about.