See Me Hear Me Love Me

This episode is Karen thinking outloud about "who's in charge" and how parents, and grown-ups, walk that balance between guiding-teaching-leading and honoring each child's voice and choice. Here's where I believe we start: 1. Always believe you are on the same side as your child. 2. Connect with your child's need to feel seen-heard-loved. 3. Become the best you can be at understanding what is needed in a particular moment. 4. Learn together what works and what doesn't work for both of you (parent and child), for your family, and for moving forward together. See NPR article mentioned - Secrets of a Maya Supermom: what parenting books don't tell you by Michaeleen Doucleff

Parenting is exhausting! Sleep deprived, managing the needs of children, trying to manage the demands of work and life commitments. One writer described it as physically, mentally and spiritually exhausting. Listen to two extraordinary moms peel away the layers of their exhaustion - different kinds of exhaustion for different ages and stages of parenthood. There is hope! At the Square Table with Lindsey and Laura

Here are two moms who still enjoy planning and cooking for their families, even with busy schedules. Be inspired by a love of healthy food and sharing meals together. And learn the secrets of prep to cut down on tons of mealtime stress. At the table with Lauren and Nancy....

The power of comfort objects is to hold "love" in your hands - to feel safe, secure, to find emotional comfort, competence and courage that comes from connection and loving attachment. Listen to this conversation about the benefits of comfort objects for children and the lasting relationship of comfort objects into adulthood. Comfort objects are emotional "training wheels", encouraging emotional growth, risk-taking and enhancing social connections. At the table with Jennifer, Michele and Dustin

"Who knew I'd feel every emotion known to man? Who knew I'd love so much? Who knew I'd have 3 mirrors walking around imitating my behavior". After seeing the vlog by Jennifer Alembik from Wise Owl Coaching, I knew I needed to have a podcast conversation with her. Hope you enjoy the wisdom and warmth of Jenny's reflection on her parenting and how her coaching others informs her relationship with own three children. At the table with Jennifer....

In this very special conversation with Emily Teck, Jewish Early Childhood Educator-Musician-Mom, we explore creating Jewish family experiences that engage and include our youngest children. Emily shares her parenting experiences and her Ph.D. research to connect with young children's developmental and spiritual needs and understanding.

Parents might feel like they are suppose to love every age and stage of children's development...can't be! Some love the baby stage. Some love powerful, independent stages. I believe reflecting on our favorite and least favorite developmental stages gives us tremendous insight into knowing our parenting strengths and struggles. It allows us to understand the stages of parent development that accompany each stage of child development and allows us to grow into their fullest selves. At the table with Susie and Brette

The goal of this podcast is to open the door to conversations about gun safety in homes, to begin to acknowledge the reality that a significant number of families with young children keep guns in their home and children a playing and visiting those homes with different levels of adult supervision. Let's talk about the conversations parents have with other parents and the conversations parents with their children about guns. At the table with Rabbi David Englander, Jonathan, Bea and Charles

It's Springtime at The Ruth and Edward Taubman Early Childhood Center and the chicks are hatching!!! Listen to the magic of this experience! At the table With Ms. Debbie

Sharing this special conversation with an extraordinary teacher and woman - the woman who generously gives to children and to parents every day, who shares her heart, her experience and her wisdom with all of us at Family Time, and the person who adds joy and sunshine (and a ton of efficiency) to my day!!! Thank you Amy!!!!

Sensory play is essential to learning, to growing, to mastery, to problem solving, to self-direction, to self-regulation, to playing well with others! And...it's even more valuable in a world of structured activities and screen time. Enjoy this short conversation with OT, Jodi Dietz from Dietz Pediatric Therapy who shows me how sensory play is also essential to Emotional Intelligence - WOW! Thanks Jodi!

A few gender-neutral parenting suggestions from Karen...because the differences between boys and girls may be real but the differences from child to child are far more interesting. And children need the best social-emotional skills have to help them grow and learn.

A few thoughts on managing the difficult emotions and the crisis in our community after the shootings at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. The concept of "holding space" might help and is an essential part of emotional literacy and emotional intelligence that we, as Early Childhood Educators, hope to teach every day.

What could be more fun that giving your child a "Yes Day", based on the book by Amy Krause Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld? As with all parenting ideas, it will play out differently for each parent and each child. So, listen to this Yes Day stories so you can create the best Yes Day that works for you and allows your child to feel safe with all that new freedom. At the table with Amy, Logan and Jessica

Today we celebrate the power and the strengths of the quiet child - the watchful child, the slow-to-warm-up temperament.