Parents of the Year

Caroline & Andrew
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We were never given a manual on how to parent. It is easy to get overwhelmed to know the right thing to do. There is so much contradictory information out there and everyone has their own advice. Parenting is a rewarding but messy, confusing, infuriating, guilt-inducing, and overwhelming journey. While it's easy to get lost, Andrew Stewart, a real dad, and Dr. Caroline Buzanko, a real mom, child psychologist, and parenting expert (who also happens to be married to Andrew) will help you get back on track. In each episode, Andrew and Caroline have open and honest chats about everything parenting. Join them in honesty, laughter, and tears (Caroline is a bit of a cry baby) as they help you navigate this journey of parenting. And, every so often, you may get some gems of expert advice. Our goal is to make your parenting journey less stressful, more forgiving, and more awesome. Please join us every Wednesday for new episodes of Parenting of the Year.

  1. 197. Are you using ChatGPT for parenting… and is it helping or hooking you?

    4D AGO

    197. Are you using ChatGPT for parenting… and is it helping or hooking you?

    Andrew and Caroline start this episode the same way many parents start a “normal” day: northern lights, a bank visit that ate two hours, and a reminder that adulting is its own full-time job. Then they try something parents are doing more and more—asking AI for parenting advice. They put a “nice British voice” to the test on real-life sticking points: kids refusing chores, screen-time blowups, bedtime anxiety, and the constant tug-of-war between boundaries and burnout. The advice isn’t wild… but the tone is the story. Why does AI feel so comforting? When does reassurance turn into a crutch? And what happens when “helpful” starts replacing your village? If you’ve ever Googled a parenting question at 2 a.m., this one will hit. Expect laughs, some blunt truth about consistency, and a practical way to use AI without handing it the keys to your home. “Homework” ideas! Homework 1: Pick one non-negotiable and make it boring Choose one daily expectation (dishes in sink, teeth brushed, screen off at X).Say it once, neutrally.Follow through with a consequence you’ll actually do (pause screens, delay dessert, Wi-Fi off). Resource: a one-sentence script you can print: “When ___ is done, then ___ happens.” Homework 2: Build a screen-time runway (no surprises) Give a two-step warning: “10 minutes” + “2 minutes.”Add a simple handoff action: “screen off → device charges here → we move.” Resource: set two phone alarms labeled “10” and “2,” or use a visible kitchen timer. Homework 3: Write your “calm plan” for when you feel yourself boiling Pick a pattern interrupt you’ll use every time: step into hallway, cold water on wrists, 10-count down, slow exhale.Practice it once when you’re not mad, so it’s there when you are. Resource: a note on your phone lock screen: “Pause. Breathe out longer than you breathe in.” Homework 4: Bedtime anxiety ladder (reduce reassurance over time) Keep routine steps in the same order nightly.Decide on a “stay time” (3 minutes), then shorten it every few nights.Use one consistent line at the door: “I’m nearby. You can do this.” Resource: a simple bedtime checklist your child can tick off (paper on the wall works great). Homework 5: Use AI without letting it “parent for you” Try a prompt that forces clarity and reduces the cheerleading: “Give me 3 options for handling screen-off meltdowns for a child aged __. Include exact words to say, one consequence I can enforce, and what not to do. Keep it short. No pep talk.”Resource: save that prompt as a note called “Parenting Prompt” so you don’t spiral-scroll when you’re stressed. Bonus Homework (from the bank + Manulife moment): Make a 30-minute “family admin” file One page: mortgage info, insurance contact, school logins, emergency contacts.Put it in a folder labeled “If I get hit by a bus.” Resource: shared note app doc + one printed copy.Send us a text Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

    27 min
  2. 196. How do we teach critical thinking in a world of ChatGPT and Deepfakes?

    JAN 28

    196. How do we teach critical thinking in a world of ChatGPT and Deepfakes?

    AI isn’t going away, and kids are already using it. So how do we protect their curiosity, critical thinking, and safety without panicking or burying our heads in the sand? In this episode of Parents of the Year, Caroline and Andrew sit down with English professor, game developer, and AI builder Jerry White to talk about kids, teens, AI, and critical thinking. Jerry has spent years teaching college students, building AI tools for his university, and helping his own son learn to use AI well. He brings that real-world classroom and parenting experience to this conversation. You’ll hear them unpack: Why using AI as a ghostwriter can quietly erode learning and memoryHow freewriting and “thinking on paper” before asking AI can protect kids’ brainsPractical ways to use tools like ChatGPT and mind-mapping apps without letting them become a crutchHow attention spans and learning styles have shifted with social media and constant techWhat educators can change right now: assignments, discussion boards, and assessmentDeepfakes, Character.ai, Roblox, and other risks parents and schools need to know aboutWhy parents must start using AI themselves to guide their kids safelyThis episode is especially useful for anyone who want to help children and teens: ·       Build real critical thinking skills ·       Keep their own voice in their writing and ideas ·       Stay safer online in an AI-driven world ·       Use AI as a tool, not a replacement for their brain About Gerry White Gerry White is the Dean of Academic Technology at ECPI University and founder of MyTutorPlus, an AI-powered tutoring platform. With two decades at the intersection of education and technology, he creates innovative digital learning experiences, including apps and immersive AR/VR. Gerry writes and speaks about how AI reshapes education and culture, exploring its ethical and societal impacts with a balanced, thoughtful approach. His work equips educators, parents, and professionals with practical insights to navigate the evolving AI landscape while preserving critical thinking and humanity. Resource: https://gerrywhitebooks.com/ Get in touch https://www.instagram.com/the_gerry_white/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrywhitetech/ https://gerrywhite.tech/  https://www.youtube.com/@gerrywhite6197  Send us a text Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

    41 min
  3. 195. Why does work-life balance feel impossible when you work from home with kids?

    JAN 21

    195. Why does work-life balance feel impossible when you work from home with kids?

    Working from home with kids in the mix can feel like you’re failing at two jobs at once.  Andrew and Caroline get real about why “balance” is a trap, and why clear boundaries work better—at home and at work. They share what actually helped in their house (the red/green door system, kid-friendly “emergency rules,” and setting kids up with non-screen activities—yes, including the legendary cardboard pirate ship that took over an entire archway).  You’ll also hear how Caroline plans work in 90-minute focus blocks, why email can wait, and why everyone needs pockets of nothing during the day—no phone, no noise, just a reset. If your calendar is packed, your attention is shredded, and you’re trying to parent without snapping, this episode gives you language, scripts, and practical setups you can try this week. Send us a text Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

    30 min
  4. 194. What actually works when your child won’t get off the screen?

    JAN 14

    194. What actually works when your child won’t get off the screen?

    Phones aren’t optional anymore—and that’s exactly why families feel stuck. In this Parents of the Year episode, Andrew and Caroline sit down with MJ Murray Vachon, a licensed clinical social worker with 40 years of practice to talk about what screen overuse is doing to stress, sleep, mood, and family connection.  MJ shares a practical way to reset family phone habits that starts with adult leadership, not kid willpower.  You’ll hear why “phone-free time” must be truly phone-free (not just “in the backpack”), how to set boundaries that don’t turn every night into a negotiation, and how to talk with kids about the science behind dopamine, cravings, and withdrawal-like irritability.  They also cover what to do when a child pushes back hard, why checking a child’s phone should be treated like checking the family car, and how parents can team up with other families so you’re not the only one holding the line. If you’re looking for realistic strategies around screen time, phones, social media, and stress, this episode gives you language you can use today. Homework Ideas “Deepest desire” check-in (10 minutes, solo) Write one sentence: “My deepest desire with my child is…” (not about rules—about the relationship). Keep it visible. You’ll need it when pushback hits. Phone as supervised access (not ownership) If your child has a phone, set the expectation: it’s a family device with supervision. Create a predictable check-in rhythm (brief, calm, consistent) so it doesn’t feel like a “gotcha.” Phone Use Awareness (for parents first) Check your screen time report for a full week. Note: Total daily hoursTop 3 apps Times of day you reach for it mostJournal one line a day: “What was I avoiding or soothing when I reached for my phone?” Create Phone-Free Blocks (ACT – C) Choose 1–2 daily blocks where all phones are away and out of reach (e.g., 5–7 pm, mealtimes, bedtime routine) Physically store them in another room or lockbox. During those blocks, invite, don’t force:WalksBaking or cookingBoard game “Nothing time” where people can be bored and see what happensTake Phones Out of the Bedroom (ACT – T) Parents go first. Replace your phone with a basic alarm clock or a speaker for music/meditation if needed Once you’ve done it for 2–4 weeks, have a family meeting: Explain the sleep and brain science (keep it simple: “Brains need dark, quiet, and no pings to reset properly.”)Agree as a family: phones docked in a shared space overnight and/or in a lockbox.Curate the Feed – “You Are What You Scroll” Together, pick 3–5 things you want more of in life (e.g., art, sport, nature, comedy). Follow accounts that actually match those values.Unfollow / mute accounts that leave you anxious, angry, or “less than.”Watch The Social Dilemma as a family and discuss: What surprised you? What do you want to change about how you use your phone? Send us a text Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

    54 min
  5. 193. How do you set goals kids actually want to work on?

    12/31/2025

    193. How do you set goals kids actually want to work on?

    Stealing from a popular replay of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline discuss goal setting with kids. Rather than assigning goals or correcting what isn’t working, this episode focuses on working with children to help them identify goals that actually feel meaningful to them. When kids have a say, they are far more likely to stay engaged and follow through. The discussion covers how parents can use what they already know about their children — their temperament, strengths, and challenges — to guide goal setting in a way that feels achievable, relevant, and motivating. Setting SMART Goals With Kids (Without Turning It Into a Battle) Step 1: Start With Reflection  Before setting any new goals, take a few minutes to reflect together. Ask: What felt easier this year than it used to?What was hard, but you stuck with it anyway?What are you proud of yourself for?Step 2: Choose One Area to Focus On Start with a conversation. Ask what they want to get better at this year. Brainstorm ideas, keeping it open and pressure-free. Keep this small. One area is enough.  Step 3: Turn It Into a SMART Goal S – Specific What exactly are we working on? “What does that look like when it’s happening?” M – Measurable  How will we know it’s happening? “What would we see or hear if this was going well?” A – Achievable Is this realistic right now?“Does this feel doable, even on a tough day?” R – Relevant Why does this matter to you? “How will this help you at school or with friends?” T – Time-Bound What’s the time frame? “Should we try this for the next two weeks or for this month?” Example :  “I will practice staying calm during homework by taking one break when I feel overwhelmed, at least three times a week for the next month.” Step 4: Create One Tiny Action Step Big goals fail when there’s no plan. Ask: What’s one small thing you can do when this gets hard?What’s your first move?Step 5: Decide How You’ll Support Them This is where adults shift into the consultant role. Ask: What might make this hard?How can I help when if this gets tricky?Let your child lead this decision.  Step 6: Track Effort, Not Perfection Check in once a week (with curiosity rather than reminders or lectures). Focus on: What workedWhat felt hardWhat you’d tweakCelebrate effort, even when the outcome isn’t perfect. Write the SMART goal on a card or sticky note and keep it visible! Resources: Goal setting blog: https://korupsychology.ca/setting-goals/Overpowering Emotions Podcast (Episode 99 – goal setting)Problem-solving skills: https://korupsychology.ca/develop-problem-solving-skills/Making informed decisions: Send us a text Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

    29 min
  6. 192. What Should You Say When Kids Ask About Santa?

    12/24/2025

    192. What Should You Say When Kids Ask About Santa?

    Should parents “tell the truth” about Santa… or keep the story going?  In this Parents of the Year holiday episode, Andrew and Caroline unpack what kids actually need when they start questioning Santa, how to respond without shame or panic, and how to turn the moment into something that builds kindness, generosity, and family connection.  They talk about following your child’s lead, keeping your tone warm and honest, and shifting the story from “Is Santa real?” to “What does Santa stand for—and how do we carry that forward?”  Homework Ideas Prep your “Santa questions” script   Be prepared so you don’t freeze: “What do you think?”“What makes you wonder that?”“What does Santa mean to you?”“In our family, Santa is a story about generosity and giving.” Plan the “invite them in” transition (kids who are figuring it out) If your child is questioning or knows: “You’re old enough to be in on it now.”“We keep Santa going to make it special for little kids.”“Want to help us do one small ‘Santa job’ this year?”Santa job ideas: choose a toy donation, deliver treats to helpers, set out a surprise note, wrap one gift. Pick one “Santa = generosity” tradition donate a toy togetherwrite a thank-you card to a community helperdo a “secret kind act” daymake a small treat drop-offGoal: keep the meaning, not just the myth. If your kid asks directly: don’t over-talk Try: “That’s a smart question.”“What do you already believe?”“In our family, Santa is part story, part tradition—and the giving is real.”Keep it short. Let them lead the pace. Send us a text Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

    16 min
  7. 191. Overstimulated, Overwhelmed, and Over It: Emotion Regulation During the Holidays

    12/17/2025

    191. Overstimulated, Overwhelmed, and Over It: Emotion Regulation During the Holidays

    The holidays are supposed to be joyful—but for many families, they quietly amplify stress, overwhelm, and emotional reactivity. In this special crossover episode with Parents of the Year podcast, Dr. Caroline and her husband Andrew step away from “perfect holiday” pressure and take a psychologically grounded look at why emotions run hotter during the holidays, for both kids and adults. They explore how disrupted routines, sensory overload, social comparison, family dynamics, and unrealistic expectations tax the nervous system—and why emotional meltdowns, irritability, withdrawal, or disappointment are not signs of failure, but signals of dysregulation.This episode bridges emotion regulation science with real-life parenting moments. Rather than trying to make emotions disappear, this conversation focuses on helping families anticipate emotional needs, regulate proactively, and respond with intention instead of reactivity. Want to learn more about boosting resilience during the holidays? Check out these episodes: Holiday Stress? Here's How to Build Real Resilience (https://youtu.be/jXgq7dn-hR4) How can we nurture kids' emotional resilience during the holidays? (https://youtu.be/jXgq7dn-hR4) Homework Ideas Choose 2 Non-Negotiables + 2 Flexibles Do: Non-negotiables (examples): “We don’t do three houses in one day,” “We eat before we go,” “We leave by 7:30.”Flexibles: “Which movie?” “Which dessert?” “When we open gifts (within a window).”Share it with your child/teen (and any other adults involved) before the big day.Build a Regulation Plan: Before / During / After Do: Create a 3-part plan: Before: sleep, food, hydration, quiet time, predict the tough momentsDuring: micro-breaks, movement, sensory supports, time limitsAfter: decompression time, low-demand evening, early bedtime when possibleReplacement Behaviours for Screen/Scroll Traps Do: Choose a replacement behaviour you’ll do instead of scrolling when stressed: 5-minute walkshort stretchtext one friend directly (real connection) Set a phone boundary: “No social media before noon” or “10 minutes max, with a timer.” Set Expectations Explicitly  Do: Ask: “What are you most excited about—specifically?”“What would make the day feel like a win?”Then set realistic anchors:one meaningful momentone active thingone connection pointUse “Let It Go vs. Address It” Sorting  Do: Before gatherings, decide: 2 things you’ll let go (minor irritations)1 thing you’ll address if needed (a true boundary)Use a short phrase to hold it:“Not today.”“That’s not up for discussion.”“We’re keeping it simple this year.”End-of-Day Debrief: 3–2–1 Reset Do (at bedtime or next morning): 3 things that went okay, 1 tweak f Send us a text Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

    36 min
  8. 190. How do we help kids tolerate boredom in a hyper-stimulating world?

    12/03/2025

    190. How do we help kids tolerate boredom in a hyper-stimulating world?

    Boredom gets a bad reputation in modern parenting. Kids hate it, adults avoid it, and screens are always within reach to fill the quiet.  In this Parents of the Year episode, Andrew and Caroline pull back the curtain on what boredom really does for kids’ brains—and for ours as adults. They talk honestly about ADHD, distress tolerance, screen overload, and why we don’t need to be our kids’ entertainment directors.  You’ll hear:  How boredom can feel physically painful for many kids and adults (especially with ADHD) How distress tolerance and emotion regulation show up when kids say “I’m bored!” The brain’s default mode network and why mind-wandering is essential for creativity and problem-solving  Why constant stimulation (screens, podcasts, social media) can quietly erode focus, patience, and mental health Practical ways families can build screen-free “nothing time” into daily life without power struggles Give kids space to explore, create, and figure stuff out—without a device in sight.   Homework Ideas 🧩 Schedule “Alone Time” Blocks (for Kids and You) Pick one daily block (start with 15–30 minutes): ·        No screens ·        No parent entertainment ·        Kids are free to read, draw, build, daydream, play, or putter Tell them: “This is your time to figure out what to do. I’m not going to fill it.” For you: use that same block to do one simple thing without a device: ·        Make tea ·        Tidy a corner ·        Sit and stare out a window ·        Flip through a physical book 🧩 Do a “Screen Audit” of Hidden Moments For 1–2 days, notice when you automatically reach for your phone: ·        In the bathroom ·        While eating ·        While waiting in the car or pickup line ·        In bed at night or first thing in the morning Ask aloud: “Why am I picking up my phone right now? What do I actually need to do?” If it’s not essential, practice putting it down and just being there. This is exactly the skill we want kids to build. 🧩 Drive or Walk Without Audio Choose one of these and do it once or twice a week: ·        A drive with everything off—no podcast, no music, no audiobook ·        A walk without headphones or scrolling Notice: ·        How quickly you want to fill the silence ·        What thoughts pop up when your mind wanders ·        How your nervous system feels afterward Share that with your kids: “I drove in total quiet today. My brain really needed that break.” 🧩 Create a Helpful Space Set up a shelf, basket, or corner with non-screen options kids can choose from when they’re “bored”: ·        Simple craft supplies ·        Blank paper, markers, tape ·        Building materials ·        Puzzles or open-ended toys ·        A few books or magazines Your script when they say “I’m bored”: “Good. That’s your brain asking for something new. Go see what your brain can come up with.” 🧩  Protect Bedroom Send us a text Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

We were never given a manual on how to parent. It is easy to get overwhelmed to know the right thing to do. There is so much contradictory information out there and everyone has their own advice. Parenting is a rewarding but messy, confusing, infuriating, guilt-inducing, and overwhelming journey. While it's easy to get lost, Andrew Stewart, a real dad, and Dr. Caroline Buzanko, a real mom, child psychologist, and parenting expert (who also happens to be married to Andrew) will help you get back on track. In each episode, Andrew and Caroline have open and honest chats about everything parenting. Join them in honesty, laughter, and tears (Caroline is a bit of a cry baby) as they help you navigate this journey of parenting. And, every so often, you may get some gems of expert advice. Our goal is to make your parenting journey less stressful, more forgiving, and more awesome. Please join us every Wednesday for new episodes of Parenting of the Year.

Information

  • Creator
    Caroline & Andrew
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    197
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Parents of the Year
  • Show Website
    Parents of the Year