The Struggle is Real: Modern Parenting

In light of the tragedies we've seen lately, let's take a few a minutes to take about the trauma that they can cause, which can affect kids, adults, families and our communities.

Teens spend an average of 9 hours a day using technology, and a big chunk of that time is spent on social media. In this episode, Dr. Susy Francis Best and Andre Bouey shed some light on how help your kids balance the use of social media, how to spot the warning signs and how to keep technology from taking over their life.

The average teen sends over 3,000 texts per month. It's important for parents to set texting guidelines for the family. Tune in for a few tips on how to have open conversations with your kids on texting, sexting and technology.

Our kids watch every move we make. They pick up our good habits and our bad habits. So how do we teach our kids manners? You guessed it. Tune in to this week's episode, featuring Mike Oquendo, for more. https://bit.ly/2t2ZMNJ

Children express and receive love in different ways. Knowing their love language will not only have a profound impact on your relationship and connection, but will also has help them feel unconditionally loved, accepted, heard and understood.

Parenting isn't an exact science. Sometimes we shine and sometimes not so much. It's ok. Join our panel discussion this week with James Breakwell a.k.a. Xploding Unicorn, for tips on how to recover from those parenting mistakes.

Are you teaching your kids to have healthy boundaries? Children, just like adults, need to learn to set boundaries for themselves and respect those of others. Join the discussion this week, featuring Dr. Francis Best, to gain insights and practical tips on how to help your kids develop this important life skill. Special Guest: Dr. Susanne Francis Best Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Words have value. In this podcast, our panel discusses how to raise children to communicate with clarity and wisdom, and on how to use their words for good. Special Guest: Principal Estuardo Mazin Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

Balancing school and extracurricular activities can be a headache for you and stressful for your child. How can you raise well-balanced kids without losing your mind? Tune into this week's episode of The Struggle is Real, featuring Ruby Salazar, for insights on how to strike a healthy balance.

Transitions are part of life, but we all know the struggle can get real when kids hit the tween years. Middle School is a place where kids will face many challenges. Things will get tougher academically, socially, mentally and emotionally. How do we prepare our kids for that? How do we prepare ourselves for the roller coaster of emotions that will eventually come with it? Tune into this week's episode of The Struggle is Real and join the conversation.

Students are incredibly self-conscious during their high school years. They worry about their reputations a lot and can change feelings and appearance from week to week. How can we keep up with our children during this time of change, and soothe their insecurities? This week our panel is joined by Kristen Dalton, former Miss USA, to answer that very question. Join the discussion.

How do we teach kids about creating healthy priorities and how to learn to live with decisions - bad or good? Tune in to this episode of The Struggle is Real where our panel discusses making real change, setting priorities and dealing with fear of failure. Special Guest: Jeff Wright, CEO, Urban Ministries Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

While college freshmen can't wait to get on campus, meet new people and live independently; their parents might not feel the same excitement. You may still want to be involved and play an active role in the life of your college student. You can still do so all while allowing your child to be independent. Tune in for more. Special Guest: Christine Gonzales Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

Adulting. It happens to us all. How can you take a step back and help your child become a successful adult? Tune in to this week's podcast for more.

Spark joy by decluttering your home and life. Join our panel, featuring Kristyn Ivey from For the Love of Tidy, to get tips on how you can declutter your home and on how to get your kids to follow along. Special Guest: Kristyn Ivey, For the Love of Tidy Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

The dog days of summer are here! And without school to occupy them (and tire them out) during the day, kids may need new activities to last all summer long to keep them busy. Tune in to find out things you whole family can do together to enjoy the sunshine and make the most of this summer. Special Guest: Audrey Monke Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

When is the best time to talk to your kids about money? RIGHT NOW! Your kids will learn about money from someone. Don't let it be from an out-of-control celebrity on social media. You have the opportunity to be the positive example in their lives and the guiding voice they can trust. Special Guest: Anthony ONeal Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

Watching a child transform into an adult can be a lot to handle. And although most 18-year olds exhibit a lot of maturity, they still require a fair amount of guidance. How do you keep your status as parent and authority figure while allowing your children to have their own autonomy and maturity? Tune in to this episode for more. Special Guest: Ana Morante Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

From protecting their children to teaching them life skills, fathers of all kinds are a major part of their children's lives all over the globe. How do you continue to play a major role in the lives of your children for years to come? Tune in for more. Special Guest: Patrick Patterson Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

Breaking bad news to children can be a bit daunting. Whether it's the death of a pet, death of a family member, divorce or any other bad news - children need help to navigate through their emotions. Tune in to this week's podcast for tips on breaking bad news. Guest Panelist: Dr. Sheryl Ziegler Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Adolescent eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and compulsive overeating are concerns every parent hopes to avoid. Tune into this week's podcast to learn about eating disorders, how to catch the warning signs and what you can to help your kids through it. Special Guest: Dr. Margaret Nagib Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

Mental health is a big deal. It plays a huge role in our kid's ability to succeed in school, at work and in society. How can we help our kids through anxiety, depression and phobias and how can we set goals to improve mental health? Tune in to learn more. Special Guest: Dr. Paul Meier Hosts: Frederick Ford Beckley, Dr. James Hommowun, Veronica Avila

There are many different learning styles. To foster greater learning, we should figure out how our children naturally learn & facilitate those types of activities. Tune in to this week's podcast, our special guests are our very own kids!

Parenting is no easy job. For the first 18-ish years of their life, your job is to teach and guide them. How do you guide your children to make good decisions and give them tools that stay with them for a lifetime? Tune in for more. Special Guest: Steve Carter Hosts: Dr. James Hommowun, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

One of our primary duties as parents is to protect our children from harm. However, that doesn't mean we need to protect them from all momentary discomfort. Sometimes those moments of disappointment or frustration are necessary to drive home important lessons. Tune in for more. Special Guest: Dr. Kelly Flanagan Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

One of the biggest roles of a parent is to teach children what is and what is not appropriate or acceptable behavior. At times, that means praising good behavior, other times that's correcting bad behavior. Overall, the goal is to guide our children in the right direction. There are many, many ways to discipline children and many things to take into account when doing so. Tune in to this week's podcast as we look at hands-off discipline. Guest Speaker: Patrick Patterson Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

Has our obsession with safety gone too far and are we really doing our children any favors by taking all the risk out of playtime and everyday life? Tune in to this week's episode about safety. Guest Speaker: Kristina Kuzmic Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

If you want to keep your marriage alive, you must make date night a priority. Plus, having a strong marriage shows your kids that a healthy marriage and relationship are important. Tune in for more. Special Guest: Tim Popadic Hosts: Dr. James Hommowun, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Research shows that reading to children and discussing the book as you read is the single best way to increase your child's IQ and instill a love of reading. Tune in to this week's episode to learn some tips on how you can inspire a lasting love of reading in your children. Special Guest: Todd Tarpley, Children's Book Author Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Frederick Ford Beckley & Veronica Avila

To spank or not to spank. That is truly the recurring question in parenting. Tune in to this episode of The Struggle is Real and weigh in on the topic. Special Guest: Eva Fleming Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Frederick Ford Beckley & Veronica Avila

Lying is a frustrating challenge for parents, but fortunately, it's one that can be addressed and fixed. Tune in to get tips on how you can encourage your children to tell the truth. Special Guest: Dr. Juli Fraga Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos, Veronica Avila

What is the best way for parents to be transparent and lay down their rules? Tune into this week's episode to weigh in on the conversation. Guest Speaker: Sergeant Arturo Daniel Padilla Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

One of your most important goals as a parent is to raise children who become independent and self-reliant people. Tune in to this week's podcast for insights on how to let go of your fears and give your kids more freedom to be independent. Guest Speaker: Katey McPherson Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Frederick Ford Beckley & Veronica Avila

Young children are deeply affected by their early experiences. So how do these experiences actually affect the way children's brains become "wired," building the architecture of the brain? Tune into this episode for more. Special Guest: Dr. Sheryl G. Ziegler Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Frederick Ford Beckley & Veronica Avila

In this podcast we talk with Debbie Reber from TILT Parenting, where she shares ideas for how parents raising both differently-wired and neurotypical kids can find joy, peace, and possibility in their experience right now. Tune in for more. Special Guest: Debbie Reber, TILT Parenting Hosts: Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Sometimes the best way to deal with a bully, is to kill them with kindness. Tune into this week's episode of The Struggle is Real parenting podcast for insights on how to help your children (and maybe even yourself) deal with the bullies in their life. Special Guest: Brooks Gibbs Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Sometimes your role as a parent is to lift your child up when they're struggling, and sometimes it's to raise the bar a little higher and make them stretch. Tune in to learn how to strike a balance. Special Guest: Tim Popadic, Date Night Comedy Tour Guest Expert: Dr. James Hommowun Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Good nutrition is essential to good health. Right from the start, nutrition shapes brain development, metabolism, and overall health. Tune in to get some tips on how to make smart food choices and on how to pass on good nutrition to your kids. Special Guest: Jill Castle, MS, RD, LDN Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Forgiving others is always hard to do when you are still feeling hurt. It takes courage to decide to forgive someone. Forgiving someone shows strength of character, not weakness. Tune in for insights on how to make decisions when judgements may be clouded by anger.

"It's better to give than to receive" is more than an inspiring quote. It's a truth that can add value and happiness to your life and that of your children. Tune in for tips and insights on how to inspire generosity. Guest Speaker: Audrey Monke, Sunshine Parenting Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Host: Veronica Avila

Talking to your kids about poverty and helping others is one thing. Showing them by volunteering, being kind to others and being accepting of other's differences - that's a much more powerful teaching tool. Tune in to this week's podcast to hear first hand how empathy can make a huge difference in your life and the life of your children. Special Guest: Letticia Martinez, Paralympic Swimmer Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Host: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Gratitude is a daily choice, plain and simple. No matter your life or your circumstances you can always find something to be angry about, and you can always find something to be grateful for. Tune in for tips on how you can practice gratitude with your children. Special Guest: Dr. Kelly Flanagan Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Are you a competitive parent? You may be using your children's results to boost your parental ego and it's doing more harm than good. Tune in for insights on how to balance your ambition for your child to do well with their own desires and talents. Special Guest: Mike Oquendo Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Did you know that children may start to experience stress as early as 3-years old? Your child may not be learning or growing as he/she should be because of it. Find out more on this week's podcast. Special Guest: Dr. Maria Cornejo Garcia Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Robert Salazar & Veronica Avila

Champion Tribes: Father & Son Journey by Family Bridges

Divorce is a stressful and emotional experience for everyone involved. And when children are involved, it can often leave them feeling as though their whole world has been turned upside down. The transition can be a hard and trying, but you can take steps to reduce your child's pain by making their well-being your top priority. Tune into this week's episode of The Struggle is Real parenting podcast to learn how your kids can not only successfully navigate through this difficult time, but even emerge from it feeling loved, confident, and strong. Special Guests: Tammy & Jay Daughtry Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Social media is here to stay. How can you as a parent teach your kids to use social media wisely? Focus on the do's as opposed to the don'ts. Tune in to The Struggle is Real parenting podcast where our panel shares practical insights and tips on helping your children navigate social media positively. Guest Speaker: Laura Tierney, Founder & CEO of The Social Institute Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

Parenting is a hard, but it doesn't always have to be. We've got to relax a little and play, just like James Breakwell's family does as they prepare for the zombie apocalypse. Tune in to The Struggle is Real, to get tips straight from James on how to survive the apocalypse so you can continue having fun with your kids. Guest Speaker: James Breakwell (Exploding Unicorn), Comedian, Writer & Author of Only Dead on the Inside: A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Robert Salazar & Veronica Avila

As a parent, have you ever thought that you aren't just raising your own children, but you are also raising someone else's future spouse, life partner and parent? Thinking about the responsibility to pass on the best human possible brings a whole new awareness and perspective on what we may choose to teach and, most importantly, model to your children. Tune in for more: Special Guests: Cathy & Ron Tijerina, Founders, The Ridge Project Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

The current cultural trend in America is for children to begin dating at earlier and earlier ages. This means that now, perhaps more than ever, it is crucial for parents to begin teaching their children about relationships sooner rather than later. It's important to take a holistic approach that integrates love, dating, marriage, sex, and everything in between into an ongoing conversation about relationships. Tune in for more. Special Guest: Dr. John Van Epp, Author & Creator of Love Thinks Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Hosts: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila

The “success sequence,” is the research supported notion that people who get an education, then a job, then get married and, lastly, have children are more likely to experience financial prosperity in the future.  How do you talk to your kids about following the success sequence? Tune into our panel discussion this week for tips. Special Guest: Dr. Alexandra Solomon Resident Expert: Dr. Alicia La Hoz Panel: Omar Ramos & Veronica Avila