TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids Debbie Reber

Former teacher, reading specialist, teacher and parent educator, and coach, Heidi Nord, joins the show for a conversation about dyslexia.
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Parent coach Zach Morris joins Debbie to answer a listener question about whether or not to relocate from a big city to a less stressful environment and one with access to nature, in order to preemptively support a child's mental health.
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In a world overflowing with information and complexity, critical thinking isn't just a useful skill; it's an essential life raft. From navigating complex interactions to making informed decisions, our children need the ability to think critically now more than ever. But what does that really mean? And how can we as parents nurture this skill in our children? I invited author and Brave Writer founder Julie Bogart back to the show to help us answer these questions and to talk about her new book, Becoming a Critical Thinker: A Workbook to Help Students Think Well in an Age of Disinformation.
In this conversation, we got into so many things. And as you’ll hear, I could have talked to Julie for hours. But for this episode, you can expect to hear Julie’s thoughts on how and why we can foster critical thinking in our children, how considering multiple perspectives and incorporating diverse viewpoints leads to better problem-solving, what parents can do to encourage self-awareness, open-mindedness, and curiosity, and much more.

About Julie Bogart
Julie Bogart is known for her common sense parenting and education advice. She’s the author of the beloved book, The Brave Learner, which has brought joy and freedom to countless home educators. Her new book, Raising Critical Thinkers, offers parents a lifeline in navigating the complex digital world our kids are confronting.
Julie’s also the creator of the award-winning, innovative online writing program called Brave Writer, now 22 years old, serving 191 countries. She home educated her five children, who are globe-trotting adults. Today, Julie lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and can be found sipping a cup of tea while planning her next visit to one of her lifelong-learning kids.

Things you'll learn from this episode

Why critical thinking is essential to navigate complex issues and make informed decisions

How considering multiple perspectives and incorporating diverse viewpoints leads to better problem-solving and policy-making

How parents can play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking skills in their children by encouraging self-awareness, open-mindedness, and curiosity

Why traditional models of authority and obedience in parenting are being replaced by a more collaborative and respectful approach that values children's reasoning and autonomy

How the Becoming a Critical Thinker workbook helps students develop skills such as vetting sources, analyzing data, and considering multiple perspectives

Why engaging in perspective-taking and tolerance can help neurodivergent kids deconstruct ideas and accept other points of view

 
Resources mentioned for Helping Kids Become Critical Thinkers

Julie Bogart’s Brave Writer website

Julie Bogart’s Blog at Brave Writer

Brave Writer Writing Blitz

Brave Writer Podcast


Becoming a Critical Thinker: A Workbook to Help Students Think Well in an Age of Disinformation by Julie Bogart


Raising Critical Thinkers: A Parents’ Guide to Growing Wise Kids in the Digital Age by Julie Bogart


The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life by Julie Bogart

Julie Bogart on Instagram

Julie Bogart on Facebook

Julie Bogart on Twitter


Julie Bogart on Moving Through Writing Resistance for Differently Wired Kids (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Herman Kahn

Noam Chomsky


The Vow (HBO Documentary series)


Killing Us Softly documentary (Jean Kilborne)

 
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Tilt Parenting founder Debbie Reber shares the story behind creating Tilt — why she developed it, what her vision is, and what she hopes Tilt will do in the world.
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Parent coach Margaret Webb joins Debbie to answer a listener question about how to best create a sense of safety in a child's nervous system when they are being aggressive or physical, while also protecting oneself in that moment.
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Have you ever felt paralyzed by all the “stuff” involved in charting a path and advocating for your child? I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s put off calling the insurance company or establishing a relationship with a new health care provider because at the time it felt too overwhelming and daunting. But what if there was a resource that provided everything parents and caregivers need to know about navigating all the complex, but critical, aspects of raising a neurodivergent child? How great would that be?
I’ve got some good news for you! Today’s guest, Kelley Coleman, has created that resource — it’s her brand new book called Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports. Kelley’s book draws upon over a decade of experience, including her own experience parenting a child with multiple disabilities. It’s an honest, relatable, actionable roadmap to the practicalities of parenting a disabled child, featuring personal stories, expert interviews, and the foundational information parents need to know about topics including diagnosis, school, doctors, insurance, financial planning, disability rights, and what life looks like as a parent caregiver.
In this conversation, Kelley, a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities, shares so many insights from her book, including the difference between being a parent and being a caregiver, strategies for navigating Insurance, working with medical teams, and other daunting systems, future care planning, and so much more.
Seriously, Kelley has created SUCH an incredible resource in this book, because she’s researched, and mapped, and made simple and doable the key things and tools parents need to stop wasting unnecessary time, money, and stress as they navigate this journey.
Enjoy the episode, and please share it with others who would benefit from Kelley’s insight and positive approach so that they can spend less time filling out forms, and more time loving their children exactly as they are.
 
About Kelley Coleman
Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports draws upon over a decade of experience, including her own experience parenting a child with multiple disabilities. Kelley lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two boys, and her son’s trusty service dog.
 
Things you'll learn from this episode

What the difference is between parenting and caregiving and why it’s an important distinction to make

What some of the most common challenge nondisabled parents face embracing disability in their children

Why it’s critical that parents and caregivers have access to practical information (and why it’s so hard to find)

Strategies for navigating Insurance, working with medical teams, and other daunting systems

Why financial planning is so important and how to get started

The benefits of connecting with experts and disabled leaders in the disability community

 
Resources mentioned for Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child

Kelley Coleman’s website


Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports by Kelley Coleman

Kelley Coleman on Instagram

Kelley Coleman on Facebook

Emily Ladau’s website


Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau


Activist Emily Ladau on Demystifying Disability (Tilt Parenting Podcast)


Judy Heumann (disability rights activist)


Rebecca Cokley (disability rights activist)


After Revealing He Couldn’t Read, Former Convict Is Inspiring Others on TikTok — Here’s How (People Magazine article about Oliver James)