HealthyExpatParent’s Podcast

This podcast is a bit longer, but full of important information.  Talking with M/Med folks about questions about clearances, mental health and special needs.  Also some great suggestions for helping you help yourself get the best care and smooth clearance process.Sites and links mentioned:MED Sharepoint homepage: https://usdos.sharepoint.com/sites/MED/SitePages/Public/MainMed surveywww.bit.ly/MEDFeedbackSurveyMED Internet Site: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-management/bureau-of-medical-services/Child and Family Programs, for SNEA inquiries: MEDCFP@state.gov

Sharoya and I discuss Anxious generation by Jonathan Haidt  https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/We talk about social media and our kids, the impact of mobile phone usage on our kids, and how all of this is complicating our kids' mental well being.Resources mentioned:Raising an adult, by Julie Lythcott-Haims  https://www.amazon.com/How-to-Raise-an-Adult-audiobook/Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazyhttps://www.amazon.com/Free-Range-Kids-Lenore-Skenazy-audiobook/dp/https://www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/a-look-at-state-efforts-to-ban-cellphones-in-schools-and-implications-for-youth-mental-health/A great podcast talking about kids and technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyFUBP4OhJs

Sharoya Hamm and I discuss supportive bidding for all family members (including furry family members!).  Bidding on new posts is hard enough; we talk about what considerations should be on the table for a successful bidding season for you and your family.

How can we achieve success with a goal, be it a new health behavior, a stress-reduction habit, or new activity? Here I share suggestions for elements that help achieve success (Motivation, Convenience, and Simplicity) and share thoughts on other factors that can help support your success.

Sadly, news of heart-breaking events such as school shootings or terrorist actions comes, and even if we are on the other side of the globe, we can't hide it from our kids.  How do we deal with these traumatic stories?  Should we tell our kids?  And if so, how?  Here, Jennie Linton and I talk about these very tough questions.  This episode is also shared on thebigpurpleblob.com.  Resources:https://www.healthyexpatparent.com/post/again-use-your-wordsAmerican Tragedy Documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10914182/How to talk to your kids about scary world events: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-scary-world-events/id1525862812?i=1000555748938

A second episode discussing mammograms, and the importance of this screening test.  Not only talking about survivor stories, but also a little about the process that may happen after having a test come back with an anomaly.  This episode features Jennie Linton and Katie Fowle and is also shared on the BigPurpleBlob podcast.

In this episode, talking about getting mammograms and other screening-type tests and how this can be complicated by being in Foreign Service.  Also sharing insights and stories about this very important preventative test.  Joining me is Katie Fowle, a survivor of breast cancer.  This episode is also shared on TheBigPurpleBlob podcast.

Addressing super hero skills that contribute to better community and how to turn that kindness and compassion towards our own (harsh) inner voice.  If you would like to take a deliberate step towards noting and then quieting that inner critic, try this simple meditation: https://www.mindful.org/basic-meditation-tame-inner-critic/

Today, talking with my eldest about applying for university, strategies that helped, and then preparing for heading off the university.  As a Foreign Service kid, we have a lot of advantages, but it can be complicated to send our kiddo off to the live on the other side of the planet for a year.  We talk about what we did to prepare, what helped him find successes last year, and how preparing this year for Year #2 looks a bit different than last.

They went, they studied, they became (somewhat?) independent and adult-like ... now they are home and they are still your child.  Some of it fits, some of it feels a little uncomfortable.

An important topic, helping kids of all colors have the school and education experience they deserve, no matter what color they might be.  Dr Teneshia Taylor joins me for a conversation about the anti-black experiences our kids have at school, and what we can do to make a positive difference in this seemingly systemic problem.  You can email Teneshia directly at bbeyondbias@gmail.com for more information.

One of the very real stressors of Foreign Service life is the moving.  Again and again, you'll relocate your home which includes likely weeks of being in limbo, probably a LOT of time with extended family and then more flights to your new-to-you city.  It can be a lot, especially when you're still trying to keep what health and wellness routine you've embraced rolling.  Challenging but not impossible.  Harder still is saying goodbye to friends.  Again, challenging but not impossible.  What makes it better?  Some suggestions.  Maybe some might work for you.  Listen here to 4 Women talking (unfiltered, unedited because that's real life)

Why gratitude is important for you, and how you can embrace more in your everyday life.  Includes suggestions for helping your kids embrace more gratitude too.

Please join for the second part of the conversation about How to raise an adult.

One of the hardest parts of parenting is trying to step back and let your kids learn rather than to do all of the things for them.  Here, I am joined by Sharoya Ham, one of my fellow Purple Blobbers, and we talk about a book we both enjoy How to raise an adult, by Julia Lythcott-Haims.  We discuss the points that we most appreciate in the book, and how they relate specifically to parenting and parenting overseas.Note: had some technically difficulties so this recording is shared in 2 parts.

Sorry, had to reload the audio!  Listen to what I feel Mindfulness is, what it isn't and why it matters.  The practice of being mindful can help positively impact all aspects of your life, and, if you have kids, seeing you practice it regularly will help them tune in with greater ease as well.For further reading: https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/mindfulness-activitieshttps://www.mindful.org/has-mindfulness-become-too-self-involved/https://www.heysigmund.com/anxiety-in-teens/http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-18136/7-fun-ways-to-teach-your-kids-mindfulness.htmlhttps://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-gratitude-and-mindfulness-go-hand-in-hand#gratitudehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLpChrgS0AY

Hillery, Morgan and Lisa join me for a conversation about employment.  We cover EFM and PSC related topics, plus working in the Embassy versus working on the economy, salaries, interview horror stories and more.

A chat with Dr Jones from M/Med about what M/Med and your Health Units do to keep you and your family well overseas.

After all of the stress of applications, the letter came, your kid is in!  They finally are off to college ... how does this impact the rest of the family?  What's next?

Four women who happen to be in the Foreign Service talk about what it takes to stay fit, eat well, and deal with time zones, moving frequently, and varying options at different posts.