If your child has ever thrown a tantrum…If you’ve ever reacted, let’s say, “imperfectly” to that tantrum…If you’ve ever wondered why your toddler or teen is having a meltdown over something seemingly inconsequential…My friends, then this interview is a MUST LISTEN.Ann is an incredible teacher - let’s learn about:The impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships and parentingHow to protect our kids from being “wounded” in childhood and acting that out as adults!Why empathizing with a child’s big emotions is NOT the same thing as letting them get their way (with some super fun examples)How to play detective when your child has a meltdown (and how to soothe them faster than usual!)Why “mental health” probably isn’t even an accurate term to useHow going outside to throw a ball against the wall might make you a better parentWhat to say to boys who still cry about frustrating events when you feel like they’re “too old” for thatHow eating plays into nervous system regulation - and believe me, this one is NOT what I expected but rather almost the opposite!I couldn’t stop asking Ann questions, so this episode is a little longer than usual but SO worth it.Resources We Mention for Nervous System RegulationHere are the two books Ann mentioned: The Body Keeps the Score, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature ParentsHere's the Brene Brown video Ann mentionedHere is another interview on how trauma is stored in the bodyFind Ann onlineFollow her on InstagramGet 15% off at Pact with code KITCHENSTEWARDSHIP15Kitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

What are your feet doing RIGHT NOW? Are you standing on them?If not...stand up and listen to this!I learned so much from Juliet Starrett, founder of one of first 50 CrossFit gyms in America who got passionate about kids' mobility when she saw a HUGE problem at her daughter's field day. She launched StandUpKids.org, a nonprofit dedicated to funding standing desks for schoolchildren, and she's nearing 100,000 kids standing up all day!Think that sounds crazy? Some parents in those schools do too, but you gotta hear why teachers Juliet taught me how to use my standing desk much better than I was already, and we even talked about food and kids and picky eaters (and our general intolerance for short-order cooking).Whether your kids are in school or at home all day, we challenge you to get them MOVING for their health!Note: This podcast was recorded a few years ago. In 2024, Juliet has moved on from StandUp Kids, but you can find her on The Ready State and her podcast!Resources We Mention About the Benefits of StandingHow posture can change your lifeFind Julie online at the Ready State (previously MobilityWOD)Her books, Deskbound and Built to MoveFind Juliet on Instagram or FacebookShop for standing desks on AmazonKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Bet you a million bucks you’ve heard people say (or said yourself):It’s too complicated to get healthy - everyone says something different!Such and such diet/strategy/exercise worked for so-and-so, why isn’t it working for me?I feel like I’ve tried everything and it’s so hard to figure out what works!Maybe, just maybe… everyone is different?Years ago the term “bio-individuality” began to be a buzzword, and I thought it would be the “next big thing.” It is, sort of.It might not be big enough.But it still should be!What if your genes could give you a pathway to your OWN optimal health? Not your friend’s success, not the next influencer’s advice, and not even current research?Using genetics to make a personalized health plan sounds cutting edge, and it is - but it’s also reality.My guest Brenda Wollenberg and I talk about gene-based holistic wellness programs today, and even more exciting, the promise and hope of epigenetics.Epigenetics is the theory that through what we do and what happens to us - our environment - we can change our genes, basically toggle certain ones on or off. Your genes are not your destiny!Listen in to find out how this works and even how you can apply epigenetics and gene personalization to your parenting and keeping kids healthy, even if you never get your kids' genes tested.Resources We MentionReduce toxic exposures in your homeWhat kids should eat, according to a pediatricianFinding nutrient balance for busy familiesFind Brenda online hereFollow her on social media: Facebook, InstagramBrenda's new book Metabolic Health RoadmapChef Junior cookbookKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

We know that anxiety is affecting both kids and adults at alarming rates.We’ve discussed anxiety busters before on The Healthy Parenting Handbook, and today we’re completing the trifecta of experts with an MD who practices integrative medicine.Dr. Wiggy Saunders joins me to dive into anxiety once again because we can’t give parents enough strategies to help their kids (and themselves) dig out of their anxious lives. We’re focusing specifically on how anxiety is affecting kids’ school performance.Your mind will be blown with how closely anxiety and focus/attention are connected, and how certain strategies may help reduce your kids’ struggles in both areas!We’ll talk about:Dr. Wiggy’s favorite Bible verseHow different types of anxiety can escalate one to the otherThe impact of parental anxiety on our kidsThe role of adrenals in stress and how to support them with the nutrients they’re consuming like a ravenous teenagerWhat magnesium in particular “says” to the adrenals to calm them down, and how that may impact kids’ school performanceThe 4 vitamins and minerals most important to boost your immune systemResources We Mentioned for Anxiety in KidsRaise Them WellFind Raise Them Well on social media: Facebook, InstagramDr. Wiggy's supplement line, Health As It Ought To BeHealth As It Ought To Be on FacebookDr. Wiggy on FacebookRaise Them Well supplements: Magnesium roll-on, magnesium balm, Mag-Focus, immune boosterAnxiety in teensTips for managing your child's anxietyWhat is the best form of magnesiumMore on kids and magnesiumMore immune-boosting tipsKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I learned today that I still have a lot of internal tendencies from middle school. 😮Middle school can be a foreign land and a tumultuous time, and figuring out how to parent middle schoolers is hard on parents. We want our kids to be happy, resilient, and thriving, not wilting, crying, and worrying.As we head back to school, stresses are always high, and our kids need us to help them stay balanced and continue growing and developing. Middle school is particularly tough, but it turns out it’s very navigable with the right perspective.Whether you have a tween in middle school now or a child who will someday be there, these parenting tools are incredible, insightful, and some will take some time to practice. Start early by parenting your tween when they’re about 5!You’ll learn:Why middle schoolers are SO different from other age groupsThe many crises of pre-adolescence and WHY they all pile up at onceThe shocking difference between girls’ and boys’ confidence and interaction with the world in middle schoolSimple stories parents can tell to improve mental well-being for their kidsThe bane of the “imaginary audience,” particularly for girls A game you can play to help reframe tween drama (and tone down its deleterious effects)How to gradually release responsibility to your pre-teen (and the disastrous impact if you ever take it back!)The 2 best ways to start every conversation with a tween (or teen)Why learning to cook can help kids try new things at school tooWhy it’s nearly impossible to teach a middle schooler to “be yourself” (this one kind of breaks my heart)One practical way to help your kids choose the right friends (this is seriously gold because we all know how powerful friends are in how our kids turn out!!)A resilience coping tool that I used the very day I recorded this interview so I wouldn’t forget how to do it…Resources We Mention for Parenting Middle SchoolersGet Phyllis’ books: Middle School Matters and Middle School SuperpowersHow beneficial risk is necessary for raising confident kidsHow to build authentic confidence in kidsFollow Phyllis on X, Facebook, and InstagramPhyllis’ websiteMy second interview with Phyllis Kitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Not kidding, I referenced this interview FOUR times the same week we recorded — it’s THAT pertinent to our jobs as parents!Today we’re focusing on the MOST important quality our kids need today – resilience. Michele Borba's book THRIVERS is about 7 teachable skills that set happy, healthy, and high-performing kids apart — and I believe those are listed in an intentional order.If you find yourself wondering why some kids struggle and others shine, spoiler alert: It’s not about GPA.This is a must-listen! Find out:Why Michele has never been more worried about this current generation – even before the pandemic (and it’s worse now)A toxic recipe for resilience that too many of us are using to raise kidsWhat makes a child a “THRIVER” – having the skills and abilities to do well in the real worldThe power of observing your kids to focus on their current strengthsHow the 7 traits show up in kids (and how many your kids need to thrive)The 2 things all kids need to thrive and whether all kids are capable of becoming a thriverOne question to ask yourself that will ensure you raise confident kids (this is powerful!!)We both talk fast, folks, so buckle up for a WEALTH of valuable information that will change the way you think about your kids and the choices you make as a parent!!! The world needs this!Resources We Mention for Raising Resilient KidsMichele's book, Thrivers Michele's survey to figure out your kids' strengthsThis PDF has 10 super practical ways to start raising resilient kids who are thrivers!The benefits of family dinnerJeannine Jannot on disintegrating students Raising successful adultsLetting kids fail to build resilienceReducing stress in kidsConnect with Michele onlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, XKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Shannon Miller is a 7-time Olympic medalist and has over 100 national competition medals in gymnastics as well, more than half the gold kind. People in our generation certainly remember her name from the “Magnificent Seven” team gold winners in the 1996 Olympic games, where she captured the first balance beam gold an American had ever achieved.She’s no stranger to hard work and success, obviously, and she went on after gymnastics to study marketing and entrepreneurship and even earned her law degree from Boston College.Then life got a little crazier – she had her first baby in 2009, launched her company “The Shannon Miller Lifestyle: Health and Fitness for Women” in 2010, and in 2011 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Now that’s a full plate and plenty of challenges, but Shannon used her Olympic grit to triumph in all areas, had another child in 2013, and wrote a book to inspire others to overcome their own personal challenges.Today we get to talk about healthy mindset and goal setting and how parents can encourage a gold medal mindset in their children, even if they’re not into athletics.Healthy Mindset Resources We MentionedYou can find out more about Shannon on her website.Buy her book, It's Not About Perfect, here on Amazon or here on Bookshop.org.Shannon's 10 min fitness videosKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Did you start to question the products you put on your kids’ skin once you were a mom? Meet Tatyana Cerullo, attorney, and formulator of Kōkua Suncare, who came to that realization as she saw the legal system behind the marketing.We get so much conflicting information these days about whether the sun is something to hide from or embrace, what’s safe to apply on our skin, and how to manage it all. Now as a mom of 2, Tatyana brings a nice balance to the conversation.Sunscreen is easy to buy, excruciatingly simple to spray on, but deadly hard to understand. Our family has personally tested over 120 kinds of mineral sunscreen, and Kōkua is far and away one of the best! We’ll share our quick 2-minute “what to remember” for parents who want the best, healthy experience of life for their kids AND be able to run to the beach!Resources We Mention About Natural SunscreenFind all the Kitchen Stewardship sunscreen reviews.Get some Kōkua suncare to try for yourself!Also read our sun-protective clothing reviews.I talked to Tatyana about recent sunscreen legislation in this video.Kitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Grabbing a piece of whole fruit or a popsicle are both fast, easy, and refreshing in the summer.But will they give your kids fuel for summer play?We know we’ll be asked about snacks approximately 5,287 times … in June. 😉 Nobody wants that!Here are some ideas to keep snacking running smoothly and prevent hungry tummy issues:Make a SystemWatch for SugarTeach your kids “Satisfying”Protein and Fat Make it StickTry New RecipesResources We Mention For Healthy SnacksMy master list of healthy snack ideas for kids10 healthy snacks preschoolers can make5 snacks kids can makeHealthy snack recipes:Kale chipsRanch dipDessert hummusEnergy bitesGelatin squaresGranola barsPuddingGuacamoleAllergy-friendly mudballsKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

What life skills are kids and teens going to need in this fast-paced digital world???We can’t really predict what specific skills our kids will need in 20 years, BUT we know they’ll need to know how to learn and other “soft skills.”Enjoy meeting a handful of our #LifeSkillsNow summer camp leaders as we explore what our youth need most and how parents can serve. Whether it’s about owning ones health, planning ahead, or responding well to others, you’ll love this info as well as a 3-step process to make it happen. Mental first, then verbal, then intentional. You got this, parents!Kitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I actually HUGGED my to-do lists, all of them, during this interview!My guest Megan Sumrell warned me that she was going to tell me task lists are no good. I added that to my list. ;)If you’ve ever felt like you have too much to do, too many demands on your time, or like you’re bound to that to-do list, this episode is for you!We discuss:Why traditional time management systems often fail to address the emotional and mental loadThe difference between task lists and plansThe challenge of estimating how long something will take (spoiler: I’m terrible at this!)Why that time right after school deserves to be called “running the gauntlet” and how to reduce anxiety about that time of dayWhether tech is a help or a hindrance to productivitySome incredible tips for building routines with your little ones and teaching tweens and teens how to begin to manage their own time effectivelyThe connection between time management and a financial budgetWhy you shouldn’t feel guilty for “not being on top of everything”I learned a lot about myself and why I sabotage my own to-do lists even as I cling to them, and I hope you get to introspect as well!!Resources We Mention for Time ManagementTime Management for Creatives courseMegan's websiteThe Work-Life Harmony trainingThe Pink Bee appKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Grocery budget hurting?Erin Chase of $5 Dinners has been making inexpensive meals to save her family’s grocery budget since the real estate crisis of 2008. She says the current inflation problem is similar in how it’s making people feel about money and savings, and it’s TIME to pay attention to your food budget, no matter who you are.In this episode, prepare to learn:How to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the ever-changing worldWhy thinking about your dinner cost is even more important than finding a sale or thinking about what’s in your cart at the momentThe most important part of the meal to focus on to cut costsHow one appliance can make a huge difference in your planningErin’s awesome four-step process to gradually let go and teach kids to cookHow parents need to be intentional about teaching budgeting to kids (and it’s a lot more like raising toddlers than you think!)We guarantee you’ll learn at least one (hopefully many!) hack to save time, money, or stress while you nourish your family!Erin is a camp leader at #LifeSkillsNow summer camp, season 3, teaching kids how to make double the food in half the time – yum!Register for free!Resources We Mention for Cutting Your Grocery BudgetFind Erin onlineFeeding Teenage Boys on a BudgetSome of my tips for saving money on foodTeaching kids to meal plan and budget for groceriesHow to stretch your meat to maximize your grocery dollar5 steps to meal plan on a budgetKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

You’ve heard people say it …You may have said something similar yourself …It’s a negative judgment on teens, especially parenting teens.“Oh, just look out for when they’re teenagers!”“Teens are just moody…just confrontational…just tough to parent.”Etc. Etc. Etc.I’ve said it too, and I feel regret!Turns out, most of the time, I puffy-heart-love parenting teens. They’re spectacular! They’re inquisitive! They’re deep thinkers!And they’re a joy to be around.Parenting teens is not without its challenges, but what in life is?Joey Mascio has been an actor and a middle school teacher, not much difference there. :)Today he joins us to inspire us to be our teens' mentors, not a villain, and I know your mind will be challenged (in a good way). We discuss:Why parents and teens have such trouble understanding each other (spoiler: it’s not the teen’s fault)Whether parenting was more difficult for our parents or now, and one (reversible) reason WHY that’s soThe way you’ll talk to your teen once you start thinking about your teen the right wayWhy teens have trouble starting conversationsThe 3 things teens NEED to be successful (and how parents can use those elements to do better at our job and build our teens' confidence)How teens can go from a sidekick mentality to a hero mentalityThe importance of failure and telling our own imperfect storiesI feel like that only scratches the surface - if you’re a parent of a teen or will be someday, get the foundations right with the strategies in this interview!Resources We Mention for Mentoring TeensRegister for free for #LifeSkillsNow Summer Camp Season 3!Helping kids thrive in spite of screensHelping teens build a healthy relationship with screensFind Joey onlineFollow him on InstagramGet a free month of his app: Sidekick to HeroKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I interview a LOT of different people in a myriad of professions, but I’ve never come close to having a woodworker on the show before!“What would we talk about - how to build things? That won’t go well on a podcast in someone’s ear…” I thought.Do not worry my friends, because Anika and I are both moms, so we dig into woodworking as an analogy for parenting and life skills, and I know you’ll be inspired to make time for a creative pursuit after this!We talk about:How Anika went from being an engineer and scientist to breaking boundaries as a female woodworker on YouTubeWhy the best way to get started with woodworking is…just to get started :)How her engineering background helped Anika be a better woodworker and the MYTH of right-brained/left-brained workThe incredibly valuable life skills kids (and adults) learn while building projects - problem-solving and patience are biggies but wait until you hear the most important skill!The two tools you’ll need to buy to get started - a very low barrier to entry!!All about confidence, failure, and great parentingWhy Anika sees failure as an opportunityThe importance of carving out time for creative hobbies as parents (and modeling all sorts of skills for our kids)Let’s grab a power drill and get building!Resources We Mention for Exploring CreativityWhy we need to let our kids failFind Anika online hereWatch her on YouTubeFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTokFree Guide: Power Tools SimplifiedKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

What happens when you’re already living your dream…but it’s a dream interrupted?Dr. Robin Dickinson was a family practitioner who loved her job and her patients, and she was GOOD at what she did. But when the pandemic sent her kids home from school, they needed her more.What happened next is nothing short of extraordinary.In today’s interview, you’ll learn:Why teaching kids in-depth medical science helps them understand and care for their bodies.Why education should focus on a balanced approach that includes hands-on skills and trades.How to tell kids that certain foods are “good” or “bad” the RIGHT way - in spite of the social media voices saying we mustn’t ever never ever…One doctor’s advice on managing candy consumption!!!That imperfect parents can still parent GREAT kids (good news for me, you too?)How to encourage scientific thinkingPlus a little bit about Doc Robin’s TWO awesome #LifeSkillsNow summer camp workshops!I love Doc Robin’s philosophy on helping kids OWN their health not through cajoling, not even by example, but by education. Can’t wait to hear what you think of this one!Resources We Mention for Learning About Your BodyFostering a healthy relationship with food in your kidsIf you’re struggling to know what your child needs for proper nutrition check out this interviewHere’s a rundown of our dessert rule if you want to hear moreFind Dr. Robin onlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, InstagramKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Confession: My house is VERY cluttered.I have never been good at letting go of things. “I might need that someday!” “What about the grandkids? They’ll want to read that book!”I’m always a little anxious and yet inspired when I talk to organizers and decluttering experts, and this conversation with Katy Wells will not disappoint!!Her story was a huge surprise to me and made her all the more believable. Katy is super passionate about keeping a home that allows you to focus on what truly matters, and I love her sense of balance and reality as well.In this episode, you’ll learn about:What clutter really is (and why we might not have heard about decluttering 30+ years ago)Women’s biggest clutter pain points (see if these rooms in your house have issues!)Why fixing the clutter problem is never as easy as “following a checklist”The 3 layers of clutter and challenges that come with the deeper layers (and no, that’s not physical layers as in the piles on your desk LOL!)How to teach kids to clean up, declutter, and start life with the right mindset about STUFF!A sneak preview of Katy’s brand new workshop in the #LifeSkillsNow summer camp, season 3!Why we can find beauty in our messes (a tear jerker!)Resources We Mention for Clutter ManagementKaty's courses:Toy Clutter CureClutter Crush ChallengeClutter Cure ClubMaximized Minimalist podcastTips for organizing a kid-friendly kitchenBudget-friendly organization strategiesFind Katy onlineFollow her on InstagramKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

When is the last time your kids were learning something in school and you got totally pulled in?That happened to today’s podcast guest, Kathy Gibbens, when her daughter was learning logic and critical thinking in middle school, and Kathy became a mom on a mission.She realized critical thinking is, well, critical to our society thriving and started teaching others things like logical fallacies and how to spot propaganda and emotion-driven marketing.I adored our conversation in this podcast! Look forward to some learning and some great challenges to become a better parent and a better person. Listen for:the deets on WHY critical thinking isn’t taught in schools (it was intentional!! What???)tons of easy-to-learn terms that open up the world of logicwhy life is better for those who can think wellsimple steps to take to foster critical thinking in your homesome really HARD steps to take to foster critical thinking in your home! ;)how helping little kids build their critical thinking muscles is different than tweens and teenswhy it’s a gargantuan problem if your teens aren’t disagreeing with you…yes, I said are NOT disagreeing with yousome super tips to help our kids take ownership of their health and nutritionSeriously, this is a fantastic interview - I told Kathy when we started that I typically shoot for half an hour podcasts, but the more fascinating the interview, the longer I generally let it slide. By the timestamp you can see that I couldn’t stop asking questions and eating up everything Kathy was dishing out!Resources We Mention for Critical ThinkingKatie's TEDx talk on the importance of critical thinkingThe Fallacy DetectiveThe Tuttle Twins Guide to Logical FallaciesFind Kathy onlineFollow her on social media: Instagram, FacebookListen to her podcast: Filter it Through a Brain CellThe quiz Kathy mentioned to guess logical fallaciesKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

For real, let's talk about Kid POOP. Because it doesn't get enough press! Dr. Song talks about kids' poop with every patient at every visit. You're going to love this interview!Dr. Elisa Song, MD, holistic pediatrician, is back today with some very important instruction for parents and kids about WHY we need to be aware of our kid's poop each day, what to look for in a healthy poop, and what "text messages" our poop is sending us.Once we learn to interpret the language of poop, we might need her tips on:How gut health impacts our brains and immune system and alllll the many ailments that likely begins in the gutKicking constipation naturally (she explains why Miralax is NOT a good solution)How to find a good probioticBest exercise for good digestionWhat happens to our digestion when we literally "eat on the run"Dr. Song's new book Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrative Pediatrician's Guide to Whole Child Resilience releases on Tuesday, May 14! You can purchase it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or ask your local bookstore or library if they'll get it. Kids' Poop Resources We MentionBristol Stool Chart Poo Keeper AppDr. Song's blog post Oh, CrapMy post on natural alternatives to beat constipationAn alternative to MiralaxFREE probiotic guide for kids from Dr. SongOur huge guide to probiotics on Kitchen StewardshipGreat choice for an infant probiotic: WellBellyDr. Song talks more about infant reflux relief here.3 part Facebook series on healthy gut in kids: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.My post about how to ferment vegetablesBuddies in My Belly is a book to teach kids about probioticsKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

In today's Healthy Parenting Handbook, I'm going to take 5 different arguments against kids doing chores and learning life skills and counter them with facts, stories, research, and a big ol' dose of common sense.These are real arguments I hear from both well-meaning parents AND keyboard warriors on social media, plus one from a well-established expert I heard on a podcast that I simply do not agree with!If you've ever had to listen to someone say it's cruelty to make your kids clean a bathroom or have felt yourself that maybe kids are busy enough - maybe life skills aren't important to learn now - this one's for you.Resources I Mention for Chores and Life SkillsReserve your spot in our 2024 Life Skills Now Summer CampPurchase access to Life Skills Now Season One from 2022 or Season Two from 20233 Reasons Giving Kids Responsibility Is a GiftKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Oh, parents. Parents in the tech age...there REALLY is no handbook for this! We've never seen our parents struggle through having the Internet in our kids' pockets, and honestly? I don't like the feeling of making it up as I go along.That's why I've been following Andrea and Tyler at Better Screen Time for a few years in my personal email, and I don't know why I didn't ask her to do an interview sooner!We dug deep in this interview,  including:Risks of screen use and technology, including some I NEVER even consideredWhy we can't parent from a place of fear (even though that bit above is scary!!!)How parents can consciously choose when a child gets a personal deviceThe risk of allowing our kids to self-soothe with screensThe importance of kids under 6 doing the hard work of playingThe difference between watching a show and playing on an interactive touch screen (mind-blowing!)What questions you should ask your kids to help build a family tech plan (and why "together" works better than "rules from the top")This interview is required listening for all parents, and we really dig into healthy screen boundaries for kids younger than 10. Lay the foundations for family tech use with this interview, and watch in a few months when I have Andrea back to tackle the tough topic of tweens, teens, and smartphones.Andrea offered a free gift for our listeners 100 screen-free activities.Andrea is a camp leader for #LifeSkillsNow Summer Camp this June! Sign up for free here!Check out 3rd Rock Essentials and use code KITCHENSTEW for 20% off!Resources We Mention for Better Screen TimeMy second interview with Andrea about teens and screensFind Andrea OnlineAndrea's book: Creating a Tech Healthy FamilyAndrea's Courses: Creating a Tech Healthy Family, Untangling Teens and TechDr. Dimitri Christakis is a leader in screen research with kidsReset Your Child's BrainHere's the interview I mentioned with Dina Rose about healthy eating habitsFollow Andrea on social media: Instagram, FacebookKitchen StewardshipKids Cook Real Foodfollow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPHFind the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!