See Me Hear Me Love Me

Language learning is magical when we connect it to thinking and feelings. Language gives us the power to capture our world in words, to share it with others and to understand experiences. It is so much more than "use our words" which adds to frustration and confusion. Let's choose skill-building and deep understanding.

Make it a Yes Day and say YES to play, YES to mistakes, YES to time, YES to creativity....and thank you for being "enough".

Children learn body image not from a mirror on the wall. They learn it reflected in your eyes Show your child with words and actions that her body is a source of pride and joy. Be sure to revisit earlier podcasts #29 and #36 for great conversations with moms and dads on Body Image

Here's one mom's story of raising her son from babyhood to college. Sandy had a mission to be Neil's personal coach, guide and teacher. Like every parent, she also had to learn who Neil was and wanted to be, and help him find his own voice and path in the world. I hope one day Sandy will share with the world all her stories, games, conversations and video she has talking to Neil, explaining the world the Neil, celebrating questions and teaching problem solving so that Neil would grow with curiosity and wonder. At the table with Sandy and Neil...

Talking with children is connecting and being present to their thoughts, feelings and experiences. It takes a bit of trial-n-error to discover how to talk to your child with respect while understanding what they can and can't understand, and how to avoid over-talking. At the table with Alexis

Parents, especially moms, are master multi-taskers. Yet, there are times when times when multi-tasking is efficient and helpful and others when it's not. Children need to feel connected in order to listen, learn and grow. Here are a few suggestions of how to connect to your child through all the busyness of a day.

Children with autistic characteristics need all the same things as children who do not have any autistic behaviors - love, respect, emotions, attachment and understanding of their wants and needs. We can all open our hearts to the differentness in our world and support one another through the fear and anxiety of parenting. As Dr. Darling says, "the child you get is the kind of parent you become". This podcast is about hope, courage and love. At the table with Dr. Sharon Darling from the Department of Exceptional Student Education at Florida Atlantic University.

When I asked myself, what do I look to in toys? This was my answer - after magic, fun, imagination, curiosity and discovery, I arrived at it's the "ahhhhhh" moment - the deep, genuine, personal emotional connection each child feels when they play with something meaning-filled.

Is being a single parent different than being a two-parent family? maybe yes, maybe no. One thing it most certainly is - it is enough and it is whole! Listen to two moms share how they have created "single mom" families that are everything a child needs to grow, thrive and be loved! at the table with Bea and Beth

My gratitude message for you this week is: take in all that wonder, pause, say "thank you" out loud. Give yourself and your family mindfulness moments to feel all that you have to celebrate. Find time and space for some Daily Gratitude with your family, especially to honor and recognize all the things that make your family the one-of-a-kind family that it is. And finally, help your child see all the gratitude there is in giving. Giving fills your child up with belonging and purpose. Happy Thanks giving!!!

Parenting is hard but one person does not have to carry all the emotional burden. With enormous self-awareness and honest communication, moms and dads can redefine each of their roles to better meet their own needs and to give children the benefit of more hands and hearts on-deck. at the table with Kim, Alana and Rachel

And the question is - does the mental load of parenting fall heavily on the shoulders of moms? Here's a great conversation about how parents carry the emotional load of parenting - the worries, the planning, the weight of all those decisions big and small. All families find their own way - by agreement or by default. Let's just hope moms and dads are okay with how the "burdens" are shared. It can't always be "all joy - no fun" parenting! at the table with Erin, Tyler and Karol

Here's my take on Episode #16, What Lies Beneath - feelings and needs behind children's behavior. Start with feelings. Address basic needs. And really ask what do I want or need as the parent in this? Parents do not need a Ph.D. to be a parent but it helps to take time to realize your child is a newcomer to a very big, unfamiliar world. And, yes, you do know your child best of all!

Temperament is the key to all parenting - to understanding your child's rhythms and routines, preferences and strengths, ways to comfort, how to encourage new skills and new situations, how to master change and unpredictability. When we understand a child's temperament, we understand that children are individual people with their own way of being in the world. At the table with Laurie and Brooke

Listen for some timeless wisdom about how to continue to raise resilient, optimistic children in a stressful world. Dr. Aaryn Gottesfeld brings a calm and reassuring voice as she helps us all find our coping strategies in the face of anxiety, worry and uncertainty.