Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting with Annie Fox, M.Ed.

FCV103 Tween Sex Talk. More Info. Less Weird, Nicole Cushman

As kids grow their bodies change. So do their thoughts, feelings and desires. When young adolescents (10-14 year olds) start experiencing crushes, it can be exciting, awkward and very confusing. Tweens need education designed for them so they can make healthy choices when they are ready to become sexually active. Enter AMAZE, an innovative and yes, friendly, animated online video sex education resource for young adolescents. AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex education, or as they put it: "More info. Less weird." AMAZE is a partnership of three non-profit organizations: Answer, Advocates for Youth. and Youth Tech Health. Nicole Cushman, Executive Director of Answer, says, "The research shows that teens actually want to hear more from their parents about their values and expectations when it comes to sex, dating, and relationships." Encouraging, right? Annie talks to Nicole about how parents can comfortably talk to teens about sex. About Nicole Cushman (@SexHonestly) and AMAZE (@AmazeOrg) Nicole Cushman, MPH, Executive Director of Answer, an award-winning, national organization, providing invaluable sexuality education resources to millions of young people and adults every year. And one of the partners of Amaze.org. Nicole is passionate about empowering young people through honest, relevant and effective sexuality education. She has nearly 15 years of experience as an educator and trainer in sexual and reproductive health and has worked to strengthen sexuality education policies and programs across the U.S. Nicole oversees Answer’s sexuality education programs, finances and fundraising. She also manages Answer’s relationship with Rutgers University and represents Answer in the media. Learn more about http://Answer.rutgers.edu and http://AMAZE.org. Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV102 Good News about Kids and Video Games, Dr. Rachel Kowert

When computer games are a problem for parents, it's usually because a child/teen has become obsessed and no longer shows interest in "family time." Even when family time isn't impacted, parents may have other questions like: • "Is my child addicted to computer games?" • "Are violent games encouraging my child to be violent and/or desensitizing him to violence?" • "Is all this screen time hurting my child's social development?" Dr. Rachel Kowert, psychologist, online gamer, and author of "A Parent's Guide to Video Games: The essential guide to understanding how video games impact your child's physical, social, and psychological well-being", makes a strong case for the positive impact of computer games and why parents may not need to worry about their kids' love of gaming. About Dr. Rachel Kowert (@DrRachelKowert) Dr. Kowert's research is primarily focused on the social impact of online games. This includes addressing the anecdotal claim that online game players are socially different/deficient as compared to offline or non-players, examining the impact of online video game play on offline friendship networks, and evaluating the tangible social benefits of online game play. Learn more at http://RKowert.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV101 How to Talk to Kids About Anything, Dr. Robyn Silverman

At times, every child feels worried, confused, or scared. In those moments, kids need safe adults to talk to. When your child comes to you, out of the blue, with a burning question, or when your family is faced with a sensitive situation that requires your bringing kids into the loop, how do you do it effectively? Psychologist Dr. Robyn Silverman, author of "Good Girls Don't Get Fat" and "Bully: An Action Plan for Teachers, Parents and Communities to Combat the Bullying Crisis" reminds parents that conversations are "not soliloquies." Listening (without distractions) to what your child has to say is at least as important as what you have to say. Annie and Robyn discuss how to talk to kids about anything. About Robyn Silverman (@DrRobyn) Dr. Robyn Silverman, AKA Dr. Robyn, is a leading Child and Adolescent Development Specialist with a focus on character education and body/self esteem development during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. As a strong believer that children are assets to be developed, not deficits to be managed, her work reflects a positive approach that shows that with the right tools, all young people have the ability to thrive and succeed. Her popular podcast "How to Talk To Kids About Anything" is a compassionate resource for parents. As a body image expert, Dr. Robyn’s groundbreaking research at Tufts University demonstrates that those girls who deviate from the Western ideal of thinness can find a way to thrive. Learn more at: http://DrRobynSilverman.com About Annie Fox, M.Ed. Annie is a parenting expert with 30+ years experience. She's been an online adviser to tweens, teens and parents since 1997. Her award-winning books include: "Teaching Kids to Be Good People", "The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship", and the groundbreaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series. More information about Annie at: http://AnnieFox.com About Family Confidential Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a biweekly podcast about 21st century parenting joys and challenges. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential provides practical parenting advice through down-to-earth interviews with parenting experts, educators, therapists, and entrepreneurs. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the tween years and beyond. http://FamilyConfidential.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV100 The Gift of Failure, Jessica Lahey

In the minds of kids as well as adults "failure" is something to be avoided at all costs. But Jessica Lahey, educator and author of "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Kids Can Succeed" says we may be missing something important in our mistake-averse approach to life. "I don't want kids to fail. I want kids to have this adapt-positive response to making mistakes. Unfortunately, when I talk to parents these days a B- is 'failure' to them." Annie talks with Jessica about how our current hyper fixation on success hurts kids and what we can do to help them succeed while acknowledging the value of making mistakes along the way. About Jessica Lahey (@JessLahey) Jessica Lahey is an educator, writer, and speaker. She is an English and writing teacher, correspondent for the Atlantic, commentator for Vermont Public Radio, and writes the "Parent-Teacher Conference" column for the New York Times. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed". Learn more at http://JessicaLahey.com About Annie Fox, M.Ed. Annie is a parenting expert with 30+ years experience. She's been an online adviser to tweens, teens and parents since 1997. Her award-winning books include: "Teaching Kids to Be Good People", "The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship", and the groundbreaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series. More information about Annie at: http://AnnieFox.com About Family Confidential Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting is a biweekly podcast about 21st century parenting joys and challenges. Hosted by Annie Fox and produced by Electric Eggplant, Family Confidential provides practical parenting advice through down-to-earth interviews with parenting experts, educators, therapists, and entrepreneurs. These recorded discussions help parents strengthen family connections by providing tips, child-rearing insight and practical tools for guiding your kids through the tween years and beyond. http://FamilyConfidential.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

FCV099 Entitlement-free kids, Karen Deerwester

Many caring moms and dads today have turned away from the authoritarian parent model they may have grown up with. The new approach is often influenced by the belief that a parent should be a child's friend. In that role, it's hard to say "no." When kids only hear "Yes, of course you can, sweetheart." how can they learn how to deal with life's inevitable frustrations, obstacles, and set-backs and become responsible and resilient? And how can parents live under the stress of having to be the "perfect" parent all the time? "Perfect parents don't raise perfect children," says Karen Deerwester, parent coach and author of The Entitlement-free Child. "They raise children feel not good enough." Annie talks with Karen about we got here and how parents can give kids a "voice and a choice" without giving them the power to call all the shots. About Karen Deerwester (@FamilyTimeInc) Karen Deerwester is a highly respected parenting coach and educator. She is the founder of Family Time Coaching & Consulting and has been inspiring and supporting parents and professionals in all aspects of "living with children" for 30+ years. Karen's books include The Entitlement-Free Child: Raising Responsible and Confident Kids in a "Me, Mine, Now!" Culture, The Playskool Guide to Potty Training and The Potty Training Answer Book, winner of the 2008 NAPPA Gold Award for parenting resources. Learn more about Karen and her work at http://FamilyTimeInc.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.