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Episodes

33
Feb. 7, 2022

Episode 33: Finding Joy in Parenting with Craig Parks

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...
Guest: Craig Parks
32
Jan. 31, 2022

Episode 32: Neo Positivity: Is the Law of Attraction Working in Your Family?

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...
31
Jan. 24, 2022

Episode 31: Helping Children Through The Grief Of Losing A Sibling

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 ...
30
Jan. 17, 2022

Episode 30: How Drumming and Reading Go Together with The Maxwells

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...
29
Jan. 10, 2022

Episode 29: "FELT" The App That Builds & Restores Relationships with Maayan Malka

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...
Guest: Maayan Malka
28
Jan. 3, 2022

Episode 28: Hilary Ableser: An International Adoption Story

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...
27
Dec. 27, 2021

Episode 27: Setting Attainable Goals with Dr. Christine Li

In this episode, DJ talks with Procrastination Coach, Podcaster and Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Christine Li about setting attainable goals, manipulating your mindset and how failures are our best teachers and a brand new opportunity to reset ourselves for success. Stay tuned for this episode! DJ talks with Procrastination Coach, Dr. Christine Li, about just how common procrastination is, why we practice it and how to overcome it by incrementally changing our daily habits and focusing on just on...
26
Dec. 20, 2021

Episode 26: Avoiding Those Grown-Up Christmas Meltdowns

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...
25
Dec. 13, 2021

Episode 25: Avoid Christmas Meltdowns

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...
24
Dec. 6, 2021

Episode 24: Developing Your Child’s Spirit of Giving with Matt Ballard

In this episode DJ talks with Matt Ballard about helping your child develop the spirit of giving instead of receiving and how we can guide our children in departing from the “getting” mentality by helping them look outward and to serve others by altruistically giving. In a society where everything is about instant gratification that includes same-day delivery, how do we keep consumerism from eating our children alive? Tune in to hear one parent’s success of circumventing this by helping his chi...
23
Nov. 29, 2021

Episode 23: Raising A Child With Disabilities, with Mother, Clarissa Nelson

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...
22
Nov. 22, 2021

Episode 22: Family Values vs. Valuing Family

In this episode DJ poses the question and answers it... of how we should go about raising children who not only have strong family values, but who also value family? Tune in for some great tips on teaching our children through our actions that family is only as important as we make it. Dr. Laura once said you are part of two families; the one you grew up in and the one you create. The one you grew up in may have been dysfunctional or downright toxic. As a parent, it's your responsibility to mak...
21
Nov. 15, 2021

Episode 21: Trinity of Holidays

In this episode DJ is talking about the upcoming Trinity of Holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s, how they are all connected and how each one can prepare you and your family for the next and enrich your lives… if you look at them as steps we can all take to be better people. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND the 3 truths, the Trinity of Holidays and how teaching your children the precepts around these Holidays - humility, gratitude and new beginnings - can lead them...
20
Nov. 8, 2021

Episode 20: Decluttering The Holidays with Renee Fieck

Traditions and rules are being broken in this podcast episode! And everyone is going to be better for it! Tune in to hear how you and your children can have a more substantive and impactful holiday season together by intentionally setting out to create your own traditions and doing only what feels right for you and your family. Be sure to leave us a 5-Star Rating and Review. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND when it comes to the chaos of the holidays, letting go of the things...
19
Nov. 1, 2021

Episode 19: How To Build Great Memories As You Travel With Your Children

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...
18
Oct. 25, 2021

Episode 18: Spooks, Ghosts and Vampires... Oh My!!!

HALLOWEEN is coming! And it is an exciting time of year for our children. In this episode, DJ is breaking down the pros and cons of “All Hallows Eve” and how we can turn this spooky and sugar-filled occasion into a beautiful relationship building and teaching moment for our little moppets! BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND how to utilize the Halloween holiday as an enriching teaching moment for your child and create lasting memories. Tell us how you have capitalized on the Ha...
17
Oct. 18, 2021

Episode 17: Potty Training from A to Pee

It's time to Potty Training...or is it? is an exciting time. It's full of anticipation, frustration, excitement and joy. In this episode DJ shares her experiences as the mother of 5 and an early childhood specialist and breaks down the strategies that work and the strategies to avoid. Let's take this special time in the life of your child to build their confidence, their independence and your relationship. By the time you finish listening you will understand how to know if your child is ready t...
16
Oct. 11, 2021

Episode 16: 4 Reasons Your Children Argue and What You Can Do About It

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 ...
15
Oct. 4, 2021

Episode 15: How to Manage a Screaming Child Without Screaming Yourself

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,...
14
Sept. 24, 2021

Episode 14: What Gets In The Way Of You Being Present With Your Family? with Therapist Don Bennion

You are a parent who wants to be more present with your family but things just seem to get in the way. Sometimes we worry, and there are so many things we worry about. Finances, family issues, work issues, our own insecurities, what people think when your children act up, and the list goes on and on. In this episode I continue my discussion with therapist, Don Bennion on the internal workings of being present. All of this works for you whether you are at home, work, church or any other situation...
13
Sept. 20, 2021

Episode 13: What It Means To Be Present With Your Family with therapist Don Bennion

Are you a parent who wants to be more present with your family but things just seem to get in the way? Sometimes we worry, and there are so many things we worry about. Finances, family issues, work issues, our own insecurities, what people think when your children act up, and the list goes on and on. Therapist, Don Bennion joins me in this two-part discussion on the internal workings of being present. All of this works for you whether you are at home, work, church or any other situation. In this...
12
Sept. 14, 2021

Episode 12: Finding Balance Between Work and Home

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....
11
Sept. 6, 2021

Episode 11: Postpartum Depression From A Mother's Point of View with Rachel Smith

Postpartum Depression is serious business and more common than you might think. Whether it is something you may be struggling with or someone you love, this is the episode for you. New moms may be thinking they are crazy, a bad mom, undeserving, angry, or frustrated for seemingly no good reason. There are lots of professionals with lots of advice. In this episode I have a conversation with a mom who struggled through it. Postpartum depression from the point of view of the woman going through it ...
10
Aug. 30, 2021

Episode 10: How do You Further Your Education When You Have Little Kids? with Dr. Erin Bennion

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...