Episode 170: Lessons from Sandy: Kids and Disasters

Family Affected by Hurricane Sandy.Join me as we discuss:

Both what to do with kids and disasters if directly affected (e.g. Hurricane Sandy).

What do those not affected by Sandy absolutely NEED to learn from those affected.

7 things that your kid will likely need from you if you are dealing with a natural disaster.

What are the 6 survival needs that a person needs to address and be ready with?

 

SHOW NOTES

In the advent of Hurricane Sandy, we have seen some incredibly destructive forces that have wreaked havoc on the United States east coast.  It brings to mind that no matter how secure we may feel in this moment, we are not assured that tough things will not happen to us.

So when things go bad, what do we need to do for our kids.  How do we respond so that they can accept the current situation without loosing it.

  • Let your kids know that it is going to be okay.
  • Be ready to comfort more than you ever have.
  • Do not meltdown.  It’s okay to be sad and cry, but don’t blow.
  • Establish routines ASAP.
  • Teach them to notice the helpers around them.
  • Help your fellow man.
  • Do not lose your principle when things get tough.
Also, what can we that are not directly affected do?  Bad things are inevitable and going to happen to us.  So what would you do if the store shelves were empty and what are the six basic thing we need to survive? Being prepared when things are good is the best policy.
  1. Food
  2. Water
  3. Shelter
  4. Energy
  5. Security
  6. Sanitation and Health

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Episode 169: Talk Isn’t So Cheap as a Parent

Taught by talking.Join me as we discuss:

The power of talking to your kid: how it’s more than just a feel-goody experience.

How ever basic interaction with your kid produces BETTER RESULTS than actually going to school.

Studies to back all this up.

 

We talk all the time here at FPN on how talking and relationship with our kids is vitally important.  Today we bring in the science on the matter and discuss how research has shown that when talking is compared to better academic results than the tasks that get performed at school.

When we talk to our kids, we produce more affluent kiddos as well.

What’s fascinating about this is that when our kids are more affluent, they are more likely to create more assertive kids.  These are the kids who are capable of arguing with the teacher that is just flat-out wrong.  That’s the type of kid  I want.

I want my kid to know that it’s okay if teachers don’t have all the answers or are wrong and that it’s okay to disagree with them.  But do it in respect.

SHOW NOTES

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Episode 168: A Year of FPN in Review – Past, Present, Future

Past Present and Future of FPNJoin me as we discuss:

A year of The Family Podcast Network in review to review the past, present, and future.

A review of The Real Family Guys Podcast.

The future of both FPN and RFGP.

Major announcement of our new host of The Real Family Guys Podcast.

 

When I initially was looking at what I wanted to do this week, I was on the backend of negotiations with a good friend of mine about stepping up as the new co-host of The Real Family Guys Podcast when it hit me.

The Family Podcast Network had hit its one-year anniversary!  HOW FLIPPIN’ COOL!!!  So I got to thinking backwards to where I began.  It all started as a small little website called Lets Talk About Parenting with a .wordpress.com domain name.  I wanted to test it out and see if I liked blogging.  As much as I did, I was drawn to audio and speaking.

Thus began the conception of FPN.

A year later, here I am with a professional setup eons away from recording on my iPhone.  I have a huge audience that consistently blows me away.

But, a good business owner cannot ever be content to stay where they are.  So I’m looking to the  future today as well.  Join us as we discuss the past, present, and the future of The Family Podcast Network and The Real Family Guys Podcast.

ALSO, I’m so pumped to reveal the new co-host for RFGP since Pauls exit.  There could not have been a better fit and everything slotted together in a way that was fantastic coincidence, or providence.  Whichever you prefer to believe.

SHOW NOTES

Talk About Parenting – my first site built and the conception of The Family Podcast Network.

Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion – one of the primary books that helped launch FPN.

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Episode 167 Ellie Hirsch: Mommy Masters

Mommy Master CD Cover

Ellie’s Music is Magical CD Cover Art

Join me as we discuss:

A fantastic interview with Ellie Hirsch at Mommy Masters.

What is a Mommy Master, and how you can become one!  Yes, it is possible.

What kind of tools does Ellie offer you that helps you do this!

The value of music in teaching kids and how Ellie has harnessed this into a CD.

 

The other day I heard a man discussing how he is a “Garden Master”.  Quite literally you can take tests to become a master in many tasks.  You know, like Jedi Master, Grand Master of the Universe, that kind of stuff.  😀

 

I have a masters degree in psychology and many consider themselves Call of Duty masters.

But one of the things that I don’t hear people say enough is: I am a Mommy (or Daddy) master.  

What is the reason for that?  People will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to be considered masters in business, nursing, and even communications, but do not take the time to become masters in parenting their own kids.  

When I checked out Ellie’s site, Mommy Masters, I was intrigued and found that she is one of a select few that believe in honing the skills of parenting past being “good” into being “great” and I think that is what qualifies being a master in parenting.

Mommy Master in Practice

Ellie shows herself being a Mommy Master.

 SHOW NOTES

Mommy Masters Website – Ellies site that helps parents create flourishing family environments.

Click Here to Buy Ellies CD Music is Magical

Mommy Masters on Facebook

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Episode 166: Music Helps Your Kid Learn

Music for kids by craigCloutier at Flickr.Join me as we discuss:

How the Gibson family regularly uses music in their home for learning, as well as poppin’-and-lockin’.  

Real articles that prove that this is not some wives-tale crap.

5 things music can do for your kid that you want it to do!

Music seems to be a universal thing.  Cultures from all across the world have created music in one form or fashion so there seems to be some level of need.  Today we talk science to discuss how this idea is not a load of classical crap, but physiological in nature.  

The article shows that music, memory, and emotions all create brain activity in the same part of the brain!  So when music is used, it can have a feedback connection that will link the memory with the music.  Soooo flippin’ cool. 

So what are 5 things music can do for us as parents:

  • Relax and lower stress levels of our kiddos.
  • Lower metabolism and heart rate to help learn.
  • Pull kids out of tired states.
  • Stimulate the brain to solve complex problems.
  • Help kids remember values like “don’t bite your friends!”
Also, we cover the age-old question: “my kids music is high-energy and chaotic.  Should I let them listen to it and will it hurt them?”  
SHOW NOTES

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Episode 17 The Real Family Guys Podcast: Farewell to Mr. Paul McGuire

Farewell to my Good Friend Paul!Join me as we discuss:

A brief segment of apologizing to kiddos and how Trey’s morning this morning necessitates an apology when they he gets home.

A very sad farewell from Paul as this will be his last Real Family Guys Podcast.

Pauls reason for leaving.

 

Today is an episode that is sweet mixed with sour.  We begin by discussing how Trey’s morning did not go so well, and how it has left Trey needing to apologize to, not only his kids, but also his wife.  We talk about the power of apologies and how they are actually quite necessary.

We also cover the need to say “I’m sorry” to your spouse, and how it can be very beneficial to say that in front of the kiddos.  

And more seriously, Paul announces that this will be his last Real Family Guys Podcast to help him stay laser targeted on his website, The Affluent Student.  Paul gives his goodbyes to the listeners and reminds folks where they can find him.  

SHOW NOTES

The Affluent Student- Pauls awesome site.

 

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Episode 165: If You’re Not Happy, You’re Doing it Wrong!

Are You Happy?Join me as we discuss:

How if you are not happy, you are doing it wrong.

How I’m not talking about faking happiness, instantaneous happy-happy turn-arounds or floofy la-la crap about unicorns and bunnies.

How our happiness is our OWN responsibility, not our kids/spouse/etc.

A few ways to generate happiness from our lives.

Lets be honest.  Many of us are not happy as parents.  Not saying that we don’t experience some levels of happiness from time to time, but keeping that constant happiness can be a struggle.  Typically, we grew up with parents that we’re happy even when we so desperately wanted them to be.  

Before we know it, we are looking our kids in the eyes wondering why they “make me so angry.”  You see, the mistakes of our parents come to revisit us as adults without even realizing it.  

Emotions are like personal hygiene.   It is not the responsibility of anyone else to keep me smelling good.  That is why I wake up, shower, brush my teeth, put on deodorant, and maybe a little spritz of cologne.  We all know and acknowledge that is the responsibility of the individual.  

But for some reason, we often have trouble accepting this in regards to emotions.  

No one can make you feel anything.  Happy, sad, angry, numb.  

These are all reactions or triggers to things that happen and I am responsible for how I act (or more likely react).  

So how do we work on being happier?  Here are a few that we talk about in today’s show:

  • Stop negative talking.  I mean STOP IT!
  • Find the good in all situations.  Yes, even the seemingly crappy ones.
  • Be optimistic that, though things are challenging, they will get better.

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Episode 164: Kids and Weight

Kids and dietsJoin me as we discuss:

The definition of overweight and obese and how your kiddo, and you, might fit the obese category without knowing it.

What I think are the main causes of our obesity in America.  

What I think are the real solutions to our kiddo’s, and our, obesity issues.

 

There is no doubt that there is a rising occurrence of obesity in our culture, and even amongst our kiddos.  Many parents have tried themselves to loose weight by cutting back on their foods, cutting out sodas, and exercising heavily.  Now, I agree that these are crucial pieces of the weight-loss elements. 

With that said,

I also think that there is a major piece of the puzzle missing that isn’t about cutting calories or increasing your output.  

I think the quality of our food has gone to crap.  With the onset of mono-cropping we are yanking all of the nutrients out of our soils.  With fewer minerals to pull from the soil, there is less in the veggie we are consuming.

Or indirectly, there is less mineral content in the plants that cows are eating and then, subsequently, there is less mineral content in us.  We now have to consume more to fill that nutritional goal.  Combine that with the onset of highly processed foods.  There is little we can do calorically or with exercise that makes a significant difference.  

So what do I think we can do.  Here is my list:

  • Grow your own food.
  • Go organic when possible (even though American “organic” isn’t fully organic).
  • Buy local.  Farmers markets are great places to find great good garden-grown produce that hasn’t been shellacked with crap.

SHOW NOTES

Trey's Tin Hat Segment

Trey’s Tin Hat Segment

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Episode 16 The Real Family Guys Podcast: Let’s Talk About SEX!

Talking to Kids About SexJoin me as we discuss:

An article on mandating the HPV vaccination and does it mean good/bad things for our kids.

Giving condoms like candy: an article documenting whether this really promotes promiscuity.  

What ages should we talk to our kids about sex and when is it too late?

 

Today Paul and I discuss the topic of talking to our kids about sex.  A recent article we dug up discussed whether or not we should give teens the HPV vaccination.  Paul found a fascinating article on giving condoms to teens and we discuss what we do as parents.  

We also cover having that sometimes difficult conversation with our kiddos about sex, and how to make that conversation a breeze!

  • Have a relationship with your kid as early as possible so this conversation flows easily.
  • Get familiar with the words penis and vagina, just to try and say them without blushing or giggling.
  • Let your kids know what you feel about the different stages of intimacy from holding hands, to fondling, and even anal sex and intercourse.  I know, it makes me squirm to type this, but we need to be the ones to educate our kids.  Not a curriculum, and definitely not Johnny Hasnoclue from school.  

SHOW NOTES

The Affluent Student – Pauls awesome site

HPV Vaccine Article 

 

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Episode 163: Unlearning What Your Parents Taught You About Parenting

Unlearning what our parents taught us.Join me as we discuss: 

How do we unlearn what our parents taught us?

Is it possible to change a habit in us that was ingrained in us by our parents?

How the “I’ll never do  that” comes back to bite us in the butt.

Today we discuss the question of “can we overcome our parents methods.  As humans we have the natural tendency to default back to what we know.  

So if we see our parents do something (particuarly difficult when we see it over and over) that is a bad habit, human nature will often default during times of stress back to what we’ve seen.  Partly, it’s just kinda natural.  Instictual if you will.  

This often leads to a myriad of things like guilt, persistant bad habits, and repetitive discipline like spanking a lot or a kid stacking up their groundings for approximately 25 years.  Funny enough, these two issues actually feed off of each other.  

So what do we do to unlearn what our parents taught:

  • Figure out what’s not working.
  • Decide what to do differently.
  • Decide what our parents taught us that we might keep.
  • Be consistent….ooooh.  Now you don’t like me….
  • Let your parents off the hook if harboring unforgiveness.
  • Don’t fall into guilt.

 

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