Parenting Understood Erin O'Connor and Michelle Tangeman

In this episode of Parents Understood, we discuss the importance of micro moments in parenting, and how they can positively impact children and parent-child relationships. We emphasize noticing the good in children's behavior, using soft and gentle touch paired with praise, practicing active listening and validation, incorporating mindful moments to build self-regulation, and setting clear boundaries to promote distress tolerance. These small but meaningful interactions foster a safe and secure environment for children, leading to stronger connections and better communication within the family. We give examples of how these micro moments can be integrated into everyday activities and routines. We also acknowledge the challenges of implementing these strategies consistently, especially in stressful situations. 
 

 In this episode of Parenting Understood, we are joined by Dr. Jessica Gaulton, a neonatologist and founder of Familywell, about perinatal and postpartum health. We discuss the definition of PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders), emphasizing that it encompasses any mood disorder experienced during pregnancy or within a year after birth. We also highlight the lack of screening for PMADs and the resulting underestimation of their prevalence, emphasizing the importance of recognizing symptoms in both birthing and non-birthing parents. We touch on the sobering statistic that the leading cause of death in the perinatal period is suicide and overdose, often occurring in the period between six weeks and a year postpartum, when many new parents lack adequate support. Jessica explains how Familywell aims to integrate mental health support into OB care by embedding resources directly into clinics and making them accessible through insurance coverage.
 
To learn more about Dr. Gaulton and her work please visit www.familywellhealth.com, @familywellhealth and on LinkedIn at Jessica Gaulton or FamilyWell Health. 

In this episode of Parenting Understood, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Rebecca Dekker founder of Evidence Based Birth. Rebecca is a nurse and researcher who is dedicated to supporting parents in pregnancy and the birthing process. She recounts her traumatic first birth experience, which involved unnecessary interventions and separation from her newborn, and how it led her to research the evidence behind common birthing practices. She found that many practices were not supported by evidence and could even be harmful. This led her to create a platform to share evidence-based birthing information with millions of people. In this episode, she discusses the importance of self-advocacy during pregnancy and birth, provides tips for managing pain during labor with and without medication, and addresses the rise of elective inductions at 39 weeks, highlighting both the benefits and potential risks of this practice.
 
For more information on Dr. Rebecca Dekker and her work please visit:  Evidence Based Birth
 

In this episode, we discuss boundaries with parent coach Cindy Shuster. We talk about what boundaries are and how to establish them with ourselves and our children. We further discuss the core principle of boundaries and why we have them. Additionally, we speak about how to change boundaries once they have been set. Lastly, we address mutual boundary setting. 
Cindy Shuster, founder of Partner in Parenting, LLC, is a PCI® certified parent coach and a Nurtured Heart Approach® Advanced Trainer. Before earning her parent coach certification, Cindy was a classroom teacher for 10 years and has a B.S. and M.S. in education. She has 3 adult sons, so she understands firsthand the many challenges of parenting, especially in today's fast-paced and complicated world! Cindy lives in the Baltimore area with her husband, Dave, and her dog Haley, but she coaches her clients by phone or Zoom, so she can work with parents from most locations.
To learn more about Cindy and her work visit please visit parentcoachcindy.com and @parentcoachcindy.
 

In this episode of Parenting Understood we are joined by Chelsey Goodan, author of Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls. In this episode we talk about girls’ experiences feeling unheard while also experiencing societal pressures to be perfect and likable. We delve into the role of social media in girls’ views of themselves and others. We further discuss the role of gender in girls and boys identity development. Chelsey also offers advice on how to support girls and to provide strong relationships for them. 
To learn more about Chelsey and her work please visit: 
 
Chelsey Goodan | Author & Speaker
 

This week we discuss how AI language models, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, can support us in parenting. We delve into how ChatGPT and Gemini may help with things from crafting meals to creating personalized bedtime stories, generating craft ideas and developing educational games. We note, however, that AI models are best used as a starting point for evidence-based information and should not replace the input of a qualified professional.