Parenting Episodes

In this episode, DJ talks with author and motivational speaker, Paul Henderson, about overcoming emotions and past experiences associated with difficult beginnings and how we will become better parents when we stop allowing our past or what we deem as lack of opportunity to dictate our future. Listen in as he explains that mindset will keep you in anguish and victimhood or help you flourish and thrive… depending on how you choose to see your circumstances. Paul A. Henderson is a Dean of Student...

With balanced energy and the right replenishment, introverts can thrive just like anybody else! Are you an extroverted parent raising an introverted child? Tune into this episode to hear our special guest, Dr. Michael Alcee, explain that introversion does not always equal antisocial or socially anxious and is actually more about overstimulation by too much external stimuli. Listen in as he explains how to recognize what stimulates and gives your child energy, what over stimulates them pushing th...

In this episode, DJ talks with Joi Fisher-Griffith who was adopted at three months old to a wonderful family who she has very close ties to. Growing up as an adopted child taught Joi a lot through constructive conversations with other adoptees, adoptive, and birth parents. This background inspired Joi to not only give her best in exploring the topics of children and adoption but gave her the unwavering audacity to spark conversations on the topic, provide direction and give hope to adoptees, ado...

In this episode, DJ talks with dietician Jessica Setnick about picky eaters. Do you have picky eaters… only eating the same 5 things? Have the battles over eating ever resulted in tears at your dinner time table? Stop what you’re doing and listen to this episode! Jessica explains that individuals actually taste things differently and that we're undoubtedly creating a bigger dilemma by actually forcing a child to eat something they don't like. She goes on to tell us about her own approach in how...

In this episode, DJ talks with 25+ year veteran teacher, Aimee Buckley. Aimee shares how she noticed kids and parents needing extra support at the beginning of the Covid shutdowns and started an online tutoring platform for families to connect with credentialed teachers. She not only shares the great benefits of one-on-one learning and being able to provide the proper visual, auditory or kinesthetic learning but goes on to share some great tips on what parents can do to set up a positive environ...

In this episode, DJ was joined by Craig Parks whose own son is on the autism spectrum and taught him a lot about parenting, patience and love. Craig shares with us specific ways and things that we can do to find joy in parenting and he dished up some great advice on how to keep things engaged and positive, while still helping children understand there are expectations and boundaries. Craig Parks is a dad of two kids and has been a camp director for 25 years as well as being a professional music...

In this episode, DJ spoke with Neo Positivity about the law of attraction. What is the law of attraction? Neo describes it like this: Have you ever thought of someone, and they ended up contacting you soon after? Think about that for a second. Your thought is triggering a series of events, convincing/forcing someone to act. That's some next level stuff right there! Well that "magic" can be used to get more than just a phone call. DJ and Neo discuss how an obsession with the law of attraction led...

In this episode, DJ talks with Michele Benyo to discuss how to help your child(ren) cope with the grief of losing their sibling when you are coping with the grief of losing your child. Some try to heal from a loss by refusing grief and ignoring it. These people don't heal and have a harder time... Grief is a necessary part of healing. Tune in to this episode to hear one mother’s journey through the grief of losing her son to cancer and how she helped her young daughter learn to cope in a world ...

In this episode, DJ talks with Max & Deanna Maxwell of Movin’ With The Maxwell’s about their “Little Drummer” course developed for young children to learn the basics of drumming while simultaneously gaining skills needed to be successful in school. Tune into this episode to hear how to inspire and hone your child’s comprehension, fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and focus through online enrichment activities and engaging and fun videos that teach your preschool and early elementary aged...

Don’t miss this episode! DJ talks with Maayan Malka, a product designer and developer, son and father, about how his own journey to develop a better relationship with his father led to his creation of a conflict resolution app for children called Felt by The Catbears that is designed to give kids the right tools to express what they feel and what they need. Have you had experience using the Felt by The Catbears app? Please share your experience with us and tag us on Facebook or Instagram @littl...

In this episode, DJ talks with Hilary Ableser about her internal struggles of adopting a child and how after lots of research, she and her husband embraced it. From there, it was a long journey but synchronistic at the same time and led them to their perfectly delightful and darling daughter, Ava. Stay tuned for this heartwarming story about one family's journey to adopt a little girl named Ava from an orphanage in China, how they educated their two young biological children about the process a...

Last episode, DJ brought you 10 tips to help your child avoid a Christmas meltdown. In this episode, she’s bringing all you overcommitted, trying-to-exceed-everyone’s-expectations, grown-ups out there some tips to avoid your own meltdown as you navigate your way through the busy holiday season. Avoid your own spontaneous combustion and stay tuned for this episode! DJ gets real with her advice for all you parents out there trying to make Christmas perfect for everyone and poses some important qu...

Tis’ the season for large family gatherings, twinkling lights, music, laughter, presents, an overabundance of food and more. In this episode, DJ shares her top tips on how to consider your child’s individual needs and their routine to keep them from becoming overstimulated this holiday. Explaining to your children what is to come, like the fact that Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit for Christmas and will be taking over their bed until they leave, will help reduce anxiety and potential ta...

In this episode DJ talks with Clarissa about how to raise 6 children with different needs and desires when one of them has cerebral palsy; her life of frequent doctor and therapy appointments and her hesitance... then acceptance of respite care so she could use it as an opportunity to rejuvenate and take care of herself. Don’t miss this episode! DJ chats with Clarissa Nelson, mother of 6 whose oldest was born with cerebral palsy, to discuss raising a child with disabilities; how she manages her...

From managing tempers and the number of potty breaks taken to regulating screen time and throwing in some quiet time, listening to this episode will give you the perfect recipe to take your next family trip with small children from half-baked pandemounium to perfection with peace, order and harmony. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND how to prepare for long distance travel with small children no matter the travel method. Tell us a few of your favorite tips for traveling with sm...

It is so hard to see your children arguing, picking on one another and even fighting. You want them to love one another and to be friends. Perhaps that happens some of the time or most of the time, but then there are those times when the discord becomes so frustrating and disheartening. Sometimes there is one child that seems more angry than the others. You begin to question your ability as a parent. The truth is most discord in the family come from common roots. In this episode you will learn ...

We have all had those days and nights where it seems our child never stops crying or screaming. You are exhausted, stressed and feeling like if you were a better parent you would be able to make them stop. You feel insecure, ineffective, worried, and maybe a little depressed or even angry. Angry at yourself and even though you hate to admit it, angry at your child. Why can't they calm down. It seems like your child is angry at you or just taking out their frustrations on you. If they were happy,...

Most parents work while raising kids. Even if you are blessed to be at home, it is easy to become overly busy with being a volunteer with teams, school and church. While there are many different ways to find balance, in this episode I highlight 10. In this episode you will learn; What things you should consider as you decide which activities your family will participate. How every yes means a no to something else. Things you can do at work that can help with attending important family events....

So many parents realize they need to further their education to better meet the needs of their family. Whether you are are starting new or going back, this episode is for you. In this episode my guest is Dr. Erin Bennion who had an Associates Degree in nursing when she got married. 3 kids later she decided to go back to school and went all the way to a PhD. She now has her dream job as a professor of nursing. While it wasn't always easy, Erin was able to meet her goal and finish before her oldes...

Are your kids unorganized? Do they struggle with simple chores and tasks? Does frustrated anger erupt after you have told them 50 times to get something done? Some of our children seem to get overwhelmed so easily. The simplest task seems to be too much. Perhaps you have tried visual schedules and showing them what to do. What more can you do? Listen in as I speak with Dr. Karen Dudeck-Brannan as we discuss this awesome sauce that helps you work with your children so they can grow into happy in...

What to you need to know and do to make sure your children are safe if you're not there to protect them? I understand we don't like to talk about or plan for how things will go if we die, but if we don't plan it leaves the door open for making a difficult experience much much worse. In this episode I have a discussion with attorney Chuck Bennion about the options that are available and how you can make sure things are in place for your children to have the best life possible without you. After l...

I think almost every parent wants to raise strong daughters. In this episode I have a conversation with Sunny and Dan Bennion. A father/daughter team that has great respect for each other. Sunny is about to go off to her new adventure on a full-ride scholarship in soccer and softball in college. Listen as they reminisce about events and attitudes that helped Sunny become strong and confident. Sunny not only was the homecoming queen her senior, but managed to kick the game-winning field goal at t...

There are so many things we should never say to our kids, but for this episode, I highlight 10 common things that parents often say to their kids that tend to do more harm than good. By the end of this episode you will have the scoop on: some specific things parents say and the harm those things can do. things you can say instead that are more helpful and build your relationship with your child/ren. understand that even the best parents make mistakes and have room to improve. Please remembe...

You are not responsible for your child's happiness...all of the time. Listen in to learn how to help your child grow through dealing with frustration, disappointment and anger.