Filters installed. Devices monitored. Online safety taught. All of this, and children can still make poor choices—like sending nudes. So, how do we respond when we learn of this behavior? This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you’d like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us. Dear Savvy: Help! My child is sending nudes.…
We know the term cyberbullying. So do our kids. But what about cyberstalking and sextortion? Not so much. Yet, these are serious online threats putting more kids at risk than most of us realize. What do we need to know to empower kids to be internet safe? In this episode I speak with Matt Richardson, awesome dad of two and founder of the Digital Empowerment Project Canada. Matt is OSINT and SOCINT credentialed. Which means he spends his work hours investigating internet intelligence and decoding information in an effort to reduce harms and end online exploitation. Empowering kids to be…
It’s normal. It’s natural. Everyone goes through it! And every kid has LOTS of questions. Yet, for many families talking about puberty still feels awkward and embarrassing to mention—leaving kids to sort through confusing information on their own. Often, that’s whatever media and friends throw their way. That doesn’t seem fair or terribly healthy, does it? So, how can we move past any discomfort and learn to embrace the new puberty talks for a media-saturated world? This week, I got to connect with Rowena Thomas, who is the facilitator of Amazing Me in Sydney, Australia. Rowena provides programs to schools…
Are you a mom to boys? Do you worry about helping them mature into sexually responsible teens and adults? How often do you defer to dad for “The Talk?” Have you ever questioned, can moms talk to boys about pornography? If so, you’re not alone. This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you’d like to submit…
You caught your child watching pornography. You talked about it and have a handle on the situation. But now you are wondering: Should I bring up the subject again? And, if so, how often should I talk to my child about pornography? Will my relationship with my child stay healthy if I go back to the topic too often? This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check…
Raising kids in a media-saturated world can feel a lot like shoveling in a snowstorm. So much tech, so fast. It feels impossible to keep pace. Try as we might, we can’t control everything that comes at our kids. Sometimes we can’t even ensure they’ll have a clear path to navigate. But we can teach them to think differently—to make value-based decisions. Ultimately, to chart their own course towards safer screen habits. This week I talk with Lisa and Jason Frost, founders of Wired Human and authors of The Glass Between Us: Empowering Youth to Combat Digital Exploitation—A Value-Based Approach…
When you need to communicate the next play in football, you huddle. When you need to regroup, you call a timeout. It’s not all that different for a family when you think about it. Each day, there are plays to be made, problems to solve, and new ground to cover. Why not huddle? Try a Family POWER Meeting to layout your next winning game plan. To be honest, sports is something I can take or leave. But hubby Steven is a huge fan. He played quarterback in high-school and has since loved coaching our kids. Recently, I asked him about…
Do you ever find yourself caught in a parenting slump? You know, when it feels like the weight of the world rests on your shoulders; but your last ounce of creativity just flew out the window. How do you get unstuck? Try harnessing the energy of the Family POWER Meeting. If you’re a longtime listener of the podcast then you’ve heard me use the term Family POWER Meeting before. I think it's one of the most effective tools a family can use to foster better, more open communication. (And you know I’m all about open, honest communication!) But a Family…
Want to connect more with your kids over the holidays? Consider the benefit of storytelling and shared memories. It’s a strange and wonderful gift. One that I discovered almost by accident. A few years back my parents decided they wanted a different kind of Christmas gift. Instead of a wrapped present, they asked me (and each of my siblings) to write a story—or more precisely a memory. It could be from our childhood or otherwise. The only rule was that it had to be ready to share with the whole family on Christmas Day. More than stories and shared memories…
Do you ever get the feeling that society views kids as troublemakers, and parents as the good guys? We need to be careful about stereotypes—and mindful of where we point fingers. A better approach is to consider how to establish a strong foundation that can help kids make great decisions now and in the future. Yes, part of being a kid is to test the waters, to experiment, and to try new things. As we’ve said before, curiosity is what drives learning. But the truth is, there are tons of great kids out there. And they’re all looking for answers…
