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

When a child has a disability, each member of the family (including siblings) is powerfully affected. Annie talks with author Rachel Simon about her award-winning memoir, Riding the Bus With My Sister. They discuss Rachel's complex relationship with her sister Beth, an endearing, feisty, and independent woman who has an intellectual disability. They also talk about the Sibling Community and the support and resources they offer families and kids. This unpublished conversation was originally recorded on October 13, 2010. About Rachel Simon Rachel Simon is the award-winning author of six books and a nationally-recognized public speaker on issues related to diversity and disability. Her titles include The House on Teacher's Lane and the bestsellers The Story of Beautiful Girl and Riding The Bus With My Sister. Rachel's work has been adapted for theater, NPR, the Lifetime Channel, and Hallmark Hall of Fame, whose adaptation of Riding The Bus With My Sister starred Rosie O'Donnell and Andie McDowell, and was directed by Anjelica Huston. Learn more at http://RachelSimon.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

When a marriage falters, the conflicts and solutions are between both partners. Nevertheless, kids believe that somehow they caused the problems. Mom and Dad need to tell their kids there is nothing any child could have done, said, or thought about that caused parents to split up. Annie talks with therapist Wendy Young about helping parents and kids find a healthy way through this life-changing family event. About Wendy Young Wendy Young, LMSW, (Licensed Master of Social Work) is the mom of three, an award-winning child and adolescent therapist, and the Clinical Director at Comprehensive Counseling & Consulting in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Known for her creative interventions for kids' anger, grief and loss, and challenging behaviors, Wendy is the founder of Kidlutions: Solutions for Kids. She is also the co-author (with Dr. Lynne Kenney) of "Bloom: Helping Children Blossom". Learn more at http://Kidlutions.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

When a marriage falters, the conflicts and solutions are between both partners. Nevertheless, kids believe that somehow they caused the problems. Mom and Dad need to tell their kids there is nothing any child could have done, said, or thought about that caused parents to split up. Annie talks with therapist Wendy Young about helping parents and kids find a healthy way through this life-changing family event. About Wendy Young Wendy Young, LMSW, (Licensed Master of Social Work) is the mom of three, an award-winning child and adolescent therapist, and the Clinical Director at Comprehensive Counseling & Consulting in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Known for her creative interventions for kids' anger, grief and loss, and challenging behaviors, Wendy is the founder of Kidlutions: Solutions for Kids. She is also the co-author (with Dr. Lynne Kenney) of "Bloom: Helping Children Blossom". Learn more at http://Kidlutions.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Parenting is a joyful and often overwhelming journey through which no GPS can guide you. Annie talks with parenting blogger, podcaster and author, Natalie Cutler-Welsh about what most parents wish they'd been in on before they took the plunge. As Natalie says of herself and co-author Jacqueline Lockington, "We're not the experts, we're the best friends you never knew you had. The real deal for pregnancy, parenting and relationships." About Natalie Cutler-Welsh Natalie Cutler-Welsh (AKA Nat) is co-founder (with Jacqueline Lockington) of the If Only They'd Told Me blog and If Only They'd Told Me podcast where she and Jacqui have recorded 100+ episodes about parenting and relationships in the early years of having children. Nat recently started Go to Girl Social Media & Networking, a business that connects women in business. She's totally honest and open about helping others realize it's OK to find parenthood more challenging (and more amazing) than you ever thought possible. Natalie is also co-author (with Jacqueline Lockington) of the parenting book "If Only They'd Told Me: Babies, Sex, and a Cup of Tea". Learn more at http://IfOnlyTheyToldMe.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Parenting is a joyful and often overwhelming journey through which no GPS can guide you. Annie talks with parenting blogger, podcaster and author, Natalie Cutler-Welsh about what most parents wish they'd been in on before they took the plunge. As Natalie says of herself and co-author Jacqueline Lockington, "We're not the experts, we're the best friends you never knew you had. The real deal for pregnancy, parenting and relationships." About Natalie Cutler-Welsh Natalie Cutler-Welsh (AKA Nat) is co-founder (with Jacqueline Lockington) of the If Only They'd Told Me blog and If Only They'd Told Me podcast where she and Jacqui have recorded 100+ episodes about parenting and relationships in the early years of having children. Nat recently started Go to Girl Social Media & Networking, a business that connects women in business. She's totally honest and open about helping others realize it's OK to find parenthood more challenging (and more amazing) than you ever thought possible. Natalie is also co-author (with Jacqueline Lockington) of the parenting book "If Only They'd Told Me: Babies, Sex, and a Cup of Tea". Learn more at http://IfOnlyTheyToldMe.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

We all want a close relationship with our children, but we make a huge mistake when we assume the way to get it is by becoming their friend instead of their parent. Annie talks with internationally respected parenting coach Sue Atkins about ways to have a loving parent-child bond while continuing to provide the discipline they need to grow into responsible young adults. About Sue Atkins Sue Atkins is a parenting expert and coach, a writer, speaker, broadcaster, and a mum. She is passionate about "... making life with children easier and more rewarding, and I am extremely enthusiastic about helping you to bring up happy, confident, well-behaved kids." Sue's books include "Parenting Made Easy – How to Raise Happy Children" and "Raising Happy Children for Dummies" one in the famous black and yellow series as well as the author of the highly acclaimed "Parenting Made Easy" MP3s and workbooks. Learn more at http://SueAtkinsParentingCoach.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

We all want a close relationship with our children, but we make a huge mistake when we assume the way to get it is by becoming their friend instead of their parent. Annie talks with internationally respected parenting coach Sue Atkins about ways to have a loving parent-child bond while continuing to provide the discipline they need to grow into responsible young adults. About Sue Atkins Sue Atkins is a parenting expert and coach, a writer, speaker, broadcaster, and a mum. She is passionate about "... making life with children easier and more rewarding, and I am extremely enthusiastic about helping you to bring up happy, confident, well-behaved kids." Sue's books include "Parenting Made Easy – How to Raise Happy Children" and "Raising Happy Children for Dummies" one in the famous black and yellow series as well as the author of the highly acclaimed "Parenting Made Easy" MP3s and workbooks. Learn more at http://SueAtkinsParentingCoach.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

In med school Dr. O (AKA TheTeenDoc) was told "You can be the brightest physician but if you can't get the patient to tell you anything then really, all your training is useless." That hit a chord. But then she realized that patients wouldn't talk to you if you weren't a warm enough person for them to open up to. Annie speaks with Dr. O about how she uses empathy and active listening to enhance the connection with her teen patients and how parents can do the same. About Dr. O (TheTeenDoc) Dr. Adekemi Oguntala, MD, usually just called Dr. O, received her medical training at Drexel University, her pediatric training at Saint Christopher's Hospital for Children, and her adolescent medicine training at Stanford University School of Medicine. She currently heads Teen Clinic in South San Francisco. There she sees teens who have issues with weight, substance use and abuse, sexual orientation and gender identification, family planning and reproductive health concerns, depression, and victims of sexual, physical or verbal violence. In addition to being a teen doctor, Dr, O is the author of "Small Changes BIG impact: with your teen" and "Are You Serious, It's Just sex? The 17 Most Frequently Asked Questions By Parents of Teens". Learn more at http://TheTeenDoc.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

In med school Dr. O (AKA TheTeenDoc) was told "You can be the brightest physician but if you can't get the patient to tell you anything then really, all your training is useless." That hit a chord. But then she realized that patients wouldn't talk to you if you weren't a warm enough person for them to open up to. Annie speaks with Dr. O about how she uses empathy and active listening to enhance the connection with her teen patients and how parents can do the same. About Dr. O (TheTeenDoc) Dr. Adekemi Oguntala, MD, usually just called Dr. O, received her medical training at Drexel University, her pediatric training at Saint Christopher's Hospital for Children, and her adolescent medicine training at Stanford University School of Medicine. She currently heads Teen Clinic in South San Francisco. There she sees teens who have issues with weight, substance use and abuse, sexual orientation and gender identification, family planning and reproductive health concerns, depression, and victims of sexual, physical or verbal violence. In addition to being a teen doctor, Dr, O is the author of "Small Changes BIG impact: with your teen" and "Are You Serious, It's Just sex? The 17 Most Frequently Asked Questions By Parents of Teens". Learn more at http://TheTeenDoc.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

There is no "season" for creativity... it should flourish year round in every school and home. Unfortunately it doesn't, in part because we adults have other agendas for the kids we teach and nurture. Annie talks with Alice Lin, Director of Community Engagement for Imagination Foundation about the phenomenal success of the short film, Caine's Arcade, and why creativity is one of the most critical skills of the future. About the Imagination Foundation The Imagination Foundation's mission is to find, foster, and fund creativity and entrepreneurship in children around the world to raise a new generation of innovators and problem solvers who have the tools they need to build the world they imagine. Imagination Foundation was born out of the overwhelming global success of the short film, Caine's Arcade. The film launched a movement to celebrate the natural creative talents of every child, and the Imagination Foundation was created to grow and sustain this movement. Through their annual Global Cardboard Challenge kids all over the world are invited to build something amazing out of cardboard, recycled materials and imagination. Then, on Saturday, October 11, 2014, communities will come together and play. Learn more at http://ImaginationFoundation.is, http://CainesArcade.com, and http://CardboardChallenge.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

There is no "season" for creativity... it should flourish year round in every school and home. Unfortunately it doesn't, in part because we adults have other agendas for the kids we teach and nurture. Annie talks with Alice Lin, Director of Community Engagement for Imagination Foundation about the phenomenal success of the short film, Caine's Arcade, and why creativity is one of the most critical skills of the future. About the Imagination Foundation The Imagination Foundation's mission is to find, foster, and fund creativity and entrepreneurship in children around the world to raise a new generation of innovators and problem solvers who have the tools they need to build the world they imagine. Imagination Foundation was born out of the overwhelming global success of the short film, Caine's Arcade. The film launched a movement to celebrate the natural creative talents of every child, and the Imagination Foundation was created to grow and sustain this movement. Through their annual Global Cardboard Challenge kids all over the world are invited to build something amazing out of cardboard, recycled materials and imagination. Then, on Saturday, October 11, 2014, communities will come together and play. Learn more at http://ImaginationFoundation.is, http://CainesArcade.com, and http://CardboardChallenge.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Though many of us relentlessly strive for perfection, there is no such thing as the perfect mom. The good news is that you've got gifts and skills to help you become the perfect mom for your family. Annie talks with Portia Jackson, founder of Working Motherhood, about transitioning from full-time, at-home mom, to being back at work without the "Mommy Guilt." About Portia Jackson Dr. Portia Jackson, PhD, is a rocket scientist—a bona fide aerospace engineer for a federally funded research and development center. She's also an online math & physics teacher, a wife, a mother of two little girls, as well as the founder of WorkingMotherhood.com where she hosts a daily podcast for... working moms! Learn more at http://WorkingMotherhood.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Though many of us relentlessly strive for perfection, there is no such thing as the perfect mom. The good news is that you've got gifts and skills to help you become the perfect mom for your family. Annie talks with Portia Jackson, founder of Working Motherhood, about transitioning from full-time, at-home mom, to being back at work without the "Mommy Guilt." About Portia Jackson Dr. Portia Jackson, PhD, is a rocket scientist—a bona fide aerospace engineer for a federally funded research and development center. She's also an online math & physics teacher, a wife, a mother of two little girls, as well as the founder of WorkingMotherhood.com where she hosts a daily podcast for... working moms! Learn more at http://WorkingMotherhood.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

According to Glennon Doyle Melton, "Life's about how you use what you got." Because honesty, and "truth-telling" is her mission, she has no problem revealing how, for twenty years, she was lost to "food and booze and bad love and drugs." Annie and Glennon laugh a lot as they chat about her past addictions, her strategy for marriage and parenting ("Keep showing up") and the best way for moms to help their daughters let go of the need to be "perfect." About Glennon Doyle Melton Glennon Doyle Melton believes that part of her life's work is being an "open truth-telling presence" for people. She has taken that truth-telling to Momastery.com, the online community she founded. There, through her writing, she connects with hundreds of thousands of women around the world. Glennon is also the New York Times best selling author of Carry On, Warrior: The power of embracing your beautiful, messy life. Learn more at http://Momastery.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

According to Glennon Doyle Melton, "Life's about how you use what you got." Because honesty, and "truth-telling" is her mission, she has no problem revealing how, for twenty years, she was lost to "food and booze and bad love and drugs." Annie and Glennon laugh a lot as they chat about her past addictions, her strategy for marriage and parenting ("Keep showing up") and the best way for moms to help their daughters let go of the need to be "perfect." About Glennon Doyle Melton Glennon Doyle Melton believes that part of her life's work is being an "open truth-telling presence" for people. She has taken that truth-telling to Momastery.com, the online community she founded. There, through her writing, she connects with hundreds of thousands of women around the world. Glennon is also the New York Times best selling author of Carry On, Warrior: The power of embracing your beautiful, messy life. Learn more at http://Momastery.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.