Play Therapy Parenting Podcast

I frequently hear from parents something along the line of "My kid is so manipulative!" I'd like to challenge the notion that kids are manipulating parents and others around them and give you a new perspective and re-frame for you what exactly kids are doing that parents interpret as being manipulative.   In this episode of the podcast, I discuss the following topics:   The concept of abstract reasoning Organic, natural cause of "manipulation" Kids don't have alternatives when they are stuck in a pattern of behavior   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Listener Stephanie emailed me with a follow-up question to my episode titled: "'I Hate My Life!' – What To Do When Your Child Says This, Or Other Shocking Things" and described a few situations where her 7-year-old son reacts with shocking responses, but the reflecting feelings process didn't work as expected. In this episode, I give Stephanie some follow-up advice on using the reflecting feelings skill with some advanced tips to help when it feels like reflecting feelings isn't working.   The depth of the feeling impacts the recovery. The larger the emotion, the more time it may take for feeling reflection to take effect. It's not an instant fix. Enlarge the meaning You always reflect on the new feeling that was most recently expressed Bonus tip: Provide alternatives (later)   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

A listener to the podcast emailed me a question regarding explaining dating and remarriage to young children. In this episode, I discuss the related topics related to this matter.   Age appropriate truth Neutral discussions without emotion Setting expectations   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Listeners Dan and Clay emailed me similar questions regarding "roadblocks" in the choice-giving process. In this episode, I discuss the following topics:   The purpose behind why we give choices Hindrances to the choice-giving process (congruence, choices given only in negative situations, understanding the "why") Kids need opportunities to practice receiving choices   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

"Only acts of war and the events of natural disasters are more harmful to a child's psyche than the divorce process" - American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1997   In this episode, I'm going to talk about the following topics from a child's perspective: Change The emotional processing of a divorce vs the rational side Trust, safety, and security   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

"When I look back, knowing what I know now, there were signs..."   In this special episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I had the privilege to interview Jason Reid, founder of Tell My Story (www.tellmystory.org) and Choose Life (www.chooselife.org). May is Mental Health Awareness month, and Jason, who lost his 14-year-old son to suicide, is determined to reach every parent and every family about the conversation they need to have with their kids.   Jason's mission has enlarged from informing parents about the signs of suicide in kids, to overall mental health awareness in kids and adults.   Visit Jason's organizations: Tell My Story - https://tellmystory.org/ Choose Life - https://www.chooselife.org/   Songs for the Drive Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl9DqLcFH-0J_xyePQGp-CSfKGXJFSyTW   Tell My Story documentary trailer: https://wellbeings.org/films/tell-my-story/     Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

As parents, we want the best for our children. However, in today's world, we are faced with new challenges when it comes to our children's mental health. The news is flooded with child mental health crises, and a recent survey found that child mental health is the #1 concern among parents right now.   In this episode, I dive deep into this important topic and share practical tips that can help. We know how tough it can be to assess our children's mental well-being, primarily when they cannot communicate their feelings. That's why we discuss how to identify signs of stress or anxiety and offer insights into what we can do to support our children through these challenges.   We also explore the academic pressure children face and its impact on their mental health. It's understood that you want your child to succeed, but we also know how important it is to prioritize their mental well-being. I  offer advice on supporting your child academically while creating a balanced and healthy environment at home.   Finally, we discuss the impact of busy schedules on our children's well-being. We know how easy it is to get caught up in a hectic routine, but we also know that a healthy schedule is critical to our children's mental health. We provide practical tips for creating a balanced schedule that supports your child's mental health and overall well-being.   The three topics I discuss in this episode are:   We need to understand how to asses our children's mental well-being We need to address the academic pressures We need to consider our children's schedules   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

In this episode, I want to bring us back to the most foundational aspect of parenting... the relationship. Using the 4 Pillars of Play Therapy skills is the best way to preserve your relationship with your child when you have to discipline, or when you are trying to encourage self-esteem, self-regulation, and self-reliance.   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

In this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about encouragement and self-fulfilling prophecy. I recently wrote a quote into my quote book that was the inspiration for this episode. It goes like this: The friend said, "Elsa, You have a wrong picture of yourself." Elsa replied, "Even if that is true, what does a person do about it?  The things your parents say to you, and the things your husband doesn't say to you, become a mirror, don't they? You see yourself as they see you, and no matter how far you come, you bring that mirror with you."   Based on that quote, I want to talk about the following topics:   The concept of "looking glass self" Verbal and non-verbal self-concept, and how we develop our identity based on both The empowerment process, and how encouragement plays a part   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Friluftsliv is a Norwegian word that roughly translates to "open-air living." Norway recently topped a survey of countries that rated its people on happiness, life satisfaction, nutrition, and health. Friluftsliv is often sited as the reason, and I tie this Norweigian philosophy to play therapy principles.   In this episode, I discuss the following topics:   Happiness, life satisfaction, nutrition, and health Helicopter parenting vs trial-and-error parenting Enjoyment and self-improvement   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

As parents, we all want our children to believe in themselves with confidence. But sometimes, even when we continue to reassure them, they lack the self-trust to tackle hard tasks or prove that they are capable. I got an email from a pitching coach (my son is a pitcher) discussing his take on what builds confidence in kids. He thinks that confidence comes from evidence of improvement, which aligns well with the play therapy philosophy.   In this episode, I discuss the following topics: Battle between the head and heart The identity the child is working to establish What is the process of confidence coming from evidence   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

In this episode, I discuss the dangerous intersection of social media and drug culture. Snapchat and Instagram are the two most common platforms for advertising and selling drugs. According to recent statistics, the overdose mortality rate for teenagers increased by 94% from 2019 to 2020, with at least one in four teens acknowledging that they have seen drugs advertised and sold on social media. We must be informed parents and vigilant in monitoring our children's social media activity to prevent them from falling victim to the underground drug world.   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: Teens are using emoji and secret lingo to find illegal drugs. How parents can crack the code

One of the parents at my center sent me an article by Deborah Farmer Kris titled: "Your middle school child is the most amazing person." I loved this author's perspective on middle schoolers and wanted to give a play therapy perspective.   The author makes four points in the article that I add play therapy-based insight on:   Middle schoolers are a jumble of contradictions Let your face light up Don't take their outbursts personally Remember that your child is listening     Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: Your middle school child is the most amazing person

In this episode, I answer the most asked question at my counseling center... "How do I deal with timesharing". In it, I provide practical advice and strategies for co-parenting well in a timeshare situation, focusing on creating a stable, predictable routine for the child, finding the right balance between structure and flexibility, and prioritizing the child's well-being.   Specific topics I discuss are: Co-parenting well in a timeshare situation Length of time between changes Having flexibility for the child's benefit   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

In this episode, we receive an email from Mike, a loving father who feels disconnected from his 9-year-old daughter. Mike has been listening to the podcast and feels that he may have contributed to his daughter's recent struggles with anger, negative self-esteem, and problems with her friends.   I think everything points to a relationship fracture. So I talk about that and what to do. Mike also asks me "Can I fix it?" and the answer is yes, absolutely. Finally, I talk about his daughter's big emotions   Please check the links below, as I've linked to other podcasts that will give you more understanding and explain some of the techniques I talk about.   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: The Dad Episode! – 4 Tips For Dads Implementing Play Therapy Skills.  A “Revolutionary” Thing: Empathizing And Listening To Your Kids – A Dad’s Story  The Importance of Learning to “BE” With Your Kid  The Four “Pillars” of Play Therapy  Overview Of Reflective Responding  Reflective Responding In Play Therapy 

I was struck by a story I read the other day about a teen who was heavily addicted to social media, and he went on a complete, cold-turkey detox away from social media. In this episode, I talk about the following topics:   The story of an addicted teen The addictive nature of social media What a complete detox is like and the results   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

In a recent Pew Research survey, mental health emerged as the top concern for parents regarding their children. This was a little surprising to me, considering all the other issues that face parents and kids, such as drugs, alcohol, teenage pregnancy, getting in trouble with the law, and bullying.   In this episode, I discuss the following topics: The list of concerns, and why mental health tops this list The concern about the suicide rates of kids How social media correlates with the decline in mental health What steps we can take as parents to protect our kids   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

One of the podcast listeners, Josh, emailed me and asked how to best connect with their baby. Play therapy principles still apply in relationship building with babies and infants! So in this episode, I'll go into how to connect and bond with your infant in three ways: Physical, Emotional, and Engagement.   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

As a child therapist, I'm on the front lines of the damage that devices and social media are doing to our kids. The worst of all, in my opinion, is TikTok. There is nothing redeemable about TikTok, especially in light of what it's doing to our teens and young adults.   In this episode, I talk about the following topics related to TikTok: The fact that China owns TikTok and what that means The dangerous content for kids The warnings that are coming out about TikTok   Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

In this episode, I discuss the following topics: Three types of consequences: Natural, Related, and Unrelated consequences What changes behavior in children The goal of discipline