Other Peoples Parenting

Schuyler Hurwitz and Karen Quinn

'Other People's Parenting' is hosted by mother daughter duo Karen Quinn (New York Times best selling author of The Ivy Chronicles , founder of early childhood education companies Habit Coach and Testing Mom) and Schuyler Hurwitz (amateur parent). They read contemporary, classic, and controversial parenting books and give you the gist with a sense of humor, so you can implement the methods or just be able to discuss them at school functions.

  1. 2d ago

    The Blessings Of A Skinned Knee - Featuring Eva Heyman and Caroline Leventhal of Mic'd and Medicated

    The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children, by Dr. Wendy Mogel, Ph.D. In today’s lively episode, Karen and Schuyler reviewed ‘The Blessing of a Skinned Knee’ with our special guests, Eva Heyman and Caroline Leventhal, from the Mic’d and Medicated podcast. Wendy Mogel is a child psychologist working with families in L.A. She felt that many of the problems she was dealing with resulted from kids who had too much privilege and were spoiled, parents who weren’t spending enough time with their kids and were looking to the wrong places for answers. Dr. Mogel left her practice and became a student of her religion, Judaism, looking for answers and practical wisdom crucial to raising kids from Jewish thinkers going back in time. This book offers answer to how parents can raise good people who are more spiritually centered. While the book is based on Jewish teachings, it is helpful to everyone. Many reviews on Amazon say that even though their family isn’t Jewish, they found it very helpful in spiritually centering their children. Some of the questions the book addresses include: How can parents accept their children exactly as they are? What can parents do to teach their children to respect them? How can parents avoid endless negotiations with their kids? When is it safe to give your child more freedom? How can we teach our kids to have more self-control? What can a parent do to help their child stop asking for stuff? Should you make your child do chores at home? How can parents make food and meals less fraught with emotion? How can parents turn their child’s worst qualities into their superpowers? What is the best way to discipline my child? How can I help my child make the most of their time each day? The author of this book has seen many loving parents look to the wrong places to remedy her family’s distress. Instead, she says we should be looking at our child’s capacity for reverence, compassion, and gratitude. For her, tenets of Judaism provide practical guidance for raising good children. Links referenced in this episode: testingmom.com Companies mentioned in this episode: Habit CoachTestingMom (TestingMom.com)The New York TimesMiked and MedicatedAmazonRedditClaudeAsanaGoogleHuluNetflixYouTubeSpotifyAppleBlockbusterThe Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)Baby EinsteinCocomelonNomadUberUber Eats

    The Blessings Of A Skinned Knee - Featuring Eva Heyman and Caroline Leventhal of Mic'd and Medicated
  2. Oct 21

    Grit: Is Your Child's Grit Score High Enough for The Ivies?

    In Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, psychologist Angela Duckworth argues that long-term success and high achievement depend far more on a combination of deep passion and steady perseverance—which she calls "grit"—than on innate talent or natural intelligence. In this podcast episode about Duckworth’s book, Grit, we answer these questions and more: · Can grit be measured? With Duckworth’s grit scale, we learn that it effectively predicted who would make it through West Point’s “Beast” training program and who would go furthest in the National Spelling Bee competition. · Is there a formula for grit? Angela Duckworth says that that effort amplifies talent (talent × effort = skill; skill × effort = achievement) and that deliberate practice, focused feedback, and daily practice are essential. · What psychological elements are important for developing grit? We discover that these are interest, practice, purpose, and hope and how they develop in sequence. · What can parents do to develop grit in our children? Angela Duckworth recommends parents provide warm but demanding support, require a chosen “hard thing” with sustained commitment, allow natural consequences rather than endless lectures, limit distractions, and foster extracurriculars that permit growth over years. · Is grit in children genetic or environmental? According to the book, Grit, Perseverance is appx. 37% genetic and passion is 20%. Many genes explain both qualities. · What is Warren Buffet’s test for prioritizing career goals that Angela Duckworth shares? write down 25 career goals. Then soul search and circle the 5 highest priorities. Avoid the other 20 at all costs – they’ll just distract you. · How do colleges factor grit into their decisions to accept or reject students? Colleges look for students who participate in 2 different high school extracurricular activities for at least 2 years each and who advanced in some way in each activity. · What psychological factors besides grit determine success? Angela Duckworth says that grit isn’t the only psychological factor. We also need intelligence, talent, conscientiousness, self-control, imagination and more. But grit is significant for the achievement of excellence, which is why she wrote a whole book about it. We conclude that cultivating grit builds both higher achievement and greater psychological resilience, and that these principles are practical for families to apply. Takeaways: We learned that sustained passion combined with steady perseverance predicts long term success more than raw talent.We saw that deliberate practice, with clear goals, focused effort, and immediate feedback, builds real skill.We found that extracurricular commitment for at least two years shows growth and improves college prospects later.We noticed that parenting that is both warm and demanding fosters grit better than either extreme alone.We learned practical steps for parents such as enforcing consequences, limiting phone use, and allowing children to struggle.We understood that passion means endurance and long term commitment rather than short lived enthusiasm or fleeting interest.We were reminded that grit can grow through culture, mentors, and repeated challenge, but balance with quitting sometimes.

    Grit: Is Your Child's Grit Score High Enough for The Ivies?
  3. Oct 14

    Gifted and Talented Programs - Should Your Child Attend One?

    In this episode we explore gifted and talented programs and the need for fair, accurate identification of students, and sustained support. We read articles that both support and question the value of G&T or GATE programs. Some of the questions addressed in this episode include: How fair are the tests children take to qualify for gifted programs? Are there racial and socioeconomic disparities in access to GT programs? What equity problems exist with gifted programs? What qualities should schools consider when determining access to gifted programs? Test scores? Academic aptitude? Creative thinking? Leadershipm abilities? Aptitude in the arts? Do IQ scores change over time? Are there biases in the tests students take to qualify for gifted programs? Do children in gifted classrooms get a better education than children in general education classrooms? Is there a downside to labeling a child as “gifted?” Should you tell your gifted child that they are gifted? Are gifted children usually high achievers? Does being gifted translate to career and life success? How can more children get access to gifted programs? In this episode, we discuss how being labeled gifted can become a fragile identity that reduces curiosity and discourages persistence in some chidlren. We recommend universal screening, multiple objective measures, improved teacher training, and rebranding programs as advanced learner programs to reduce stigma and broaden access. We think that schools should provide appropriately paced, challenging instruction while teaching children that effort and curiosity matter more than innate labels. We conclude that by saying that preserving and improving programs for advanced learners rather than eliminating them best serves individual students and the wider society. Articles we Read: The Mirage of the Gifted Child, Katie Arnold-Batliff, NY Magazine I was Enrolled in a ‘Gifted’ Program as a Kid. Years Later, I Discovered a Dark Side I Never Knew About, by Sophie Boudreau, Huffington Post The Case for Gifted Education - Subhead: Personal Perspective: Why Equity shouldn’t mean holding bright minds back, by Tyler Woods, Psychology Today

    Gifted and Talented Programs - Should Your Child Attend One?
  4. Sep 30

    Expecting Better: Debunking Common Parenting Myths with Emily Oster

    In this episode of Other People’s Parenting, mother-daughter duo Karen Quinn and Schuyler Hurwitz review Emily Oster’s Expecting Better – Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong – and What You Really Need to Know. Oster is an Economics Professor who uses her training to separate good research studies from less good ones. After she became pregnant, she began researching the advice doctors had been giving her based on these studies. What she discovered was that pregnancy suffers from a lot of misinformation! Some studies are better than others and you can’t make decisions about your own pregnancy without understanding this. Luckily for pregnant women everywhere, Oster set about reading the studies doctor’s based their recommendations on and letting women know which advice they could trust, and which to ignore. In this book, Oster explores many common pregnancy questions and gives us her best advice based on the research. Quinn and Hurwitz discuss these and many other questions explored in the book, including: · Should you lose weight before trying to get pregnant for a healthier pregnancy? · Which is more accurate for predicting ovulation: charting your temperature or home ovulation kits? · Is it okay to drink coffee when you’re pregnant? Can a pregnant woman drink alcohol without harming her fetus? · When is the risk of miscarriage highest? · What foods should you avoid when you’re pregnant? · Is there a difference in miscarriage rate if you’re nauseated during the first trimester? · Should you do prenatal screenings that have a risk of miscarriage? Are they worth taking the risk? · Can you dye your hair when you’re pregnant? Can a pregnant woman take Accutane? Are hot tubs and saunas safe during pregnancy? · Is it safe for a woman to exercise during pregnancy? · How can I find out if I can take a particular drug during pregnancy? · How early can a premature baby be born and survive? · Does bed rest prevent premature birth? · How is labor induced? The book covers these and many more common questions women have about their pregnancies. The great thing about this book is that the author is an expert on analyzing research studies and she has done the hard work and analysis for readers, so you feel comfortable taking her advice. Quinn and Hurwitz encourage empowering parents-to-be with scientifically backed recommendations, urging listeners to consider Oster’s insights as they navigate their own parenting journeys. Companies mentioned in this episode: Habit CoachTesting MomEmily OsterExpecting BetterCrib SheetUniversity of Chicago

    Expecting Better: Debunking Common Parenting Myths with Emily Oster
  5. Sep 23

    When Homeschooling Fails and When It Works

    In this episode, we’re looking at homeschooling and its surge since the pandemic, especially the way it has grown beyond its traditional religious. Some of the questions we explore are: Why should a parent choose homeschooling today? What are the benefits of homeschooling over public school? Safety? Avoiding negative peer pressure? Drug exposure? Ability to tailor school curriculum to the child? Ability to provide religious instruction? Is homeschooling regulated by the state? When it is not regulated, how does the lack of accountability impact students? Do homeschooling students do better or worse than students who go to public schools? Are there advantages to attending public or private school with a classroom of students over being taught individually at home? How have cultural and political considerations affected the homeschooling movement after Covid? Do the benefits of tailored instructions, support for neurodivergent children, and the capacity to outsource teaching outweigh the benefits of being taught in a classroom of other students? What are the risks of homeschooling, including limited regulation, the potential for educational neglect, gaps in social development, and ideological isolation? What about annual testing or third-party ability checks to ensure for homeschooled students? What should parents consider when deciding whether or not to homeschool their children? The episode concludes by saying that homeschooling can be an appropriate choice for many families, but it does demand honest appraisal of parental ability, willingness to obtain professional support and safeguards to protect the child. Companies mentioned in this episode: Other People's ParentingHabit CoachTesting MomTikTokNetflixPsychology TodayNewsweekThe AtlanticThe New York TimesThe CutLittle House on the Prairie MuseumExtend Homeschool TutorialsMAP test Referenced Articles: The Rise of Homeschooling: Confessions of an Educator, Calvina Ellerbe, Ph.D., Psychology Today He Was Homeschooled for Years, and Fell So Far Behind, Olga Khazan, The Atlantic Home School in Isolation What Homeschool Moms Don’t Understand, Amil Niazi, The Cut Inside a Gathering of America’s Growing Homeschool Movement, Emma Goldbert, NY Times Why Homeschooling is still on the Rise, Khaleda Rahman, Newsweek

    When Homeschooling Fails and When It Works
  6. Sep 16

    How To Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids: The Lindsay Clancy Trial Wake Up Call

    The last few months we've all been watching and waiting to find out Lindsays fate and parents across the world are divided. Was there more her community could have done for her? Was it really possible to have a postpartum psychotic break and lose it the way she did? This week we covered How To Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids and found that when it comes to low grade, every day parenting- parents can prevent losing their temper by identifying their triggers and investing in self care and support. The author urges parents to build awareness of what sets off their nervous system and to protect sleep, exercise, and rest. We outline practical steps: notice warning signs, pause, and do anything other than react, such as deep breathing, moving, or stepping away. If a parent does lose it, the right course is to reconnect, apologize for the behavior, and make a plan without blaming the child. Throughout, we maintain that these steps are intended for caregivers who are intermittently overwhelmed, and we recommend professional intervention for patterns that exceed ordinary parental stress. Some parents will need professional help, including therapy or medication, and that seeking support is necessary, not shameful. The book offers practical tools to reduce stress and to help parents model better behavior for their children. Takeaways: I assert that cultivating precise self-awareness of one's emotional triggers constitutes the foundational step toward preventing parental meltdowns.We emphasize that pragmatic self-care—regular sleep, exercise, therapeutic engagement, and medication when appropriate—reduces reactivity and restores parental equilibrium.I observed that simplifying obligations, minimizing multitasking, and delegating responsibilities materially decreases opportunities for being triggered in quotidian contexts.We recommend the pause strategy: noticing physiological cues, interrupting escalation, and deliberately substituting any benign action to avert an impulsive outburst.I learned that when one does lose control, prompt reconciliation, a concise apology for behavior, and a calm restorative plan are essential for repairing the relationship.We acknowledge that chronic or frequent loss of control plausibly indicates underlying psychopathology and thus warrants professional assessment and potentially evidence-based treatment.I assert that teaching children to tolerate boredom and to occupy themselves fosters independence and diminishes parental burden over time.We recognize that societal stigma often impedes mothers from seeking mental health support, and we advocate for destigmatization and proactive help-seeking. Companies mentioned in this episode: Other People's ParentingHabit CoachTesting MomThe New York TimesNational Institute for the Psychotherapies

    How To Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids: The Lindsay Clancy Trial Wake Up Call
  7. Sep 9

    Like, Follow, Subscribe: Is The Internet a Place for Children? Inspired by Kalie Robbins' Unsettling Discovery

    This week Kalie Robins, a mom, discovered that Facebook was compiling a profile on her minor children that ultimately gave strangers her family's full names, photographs, birthdays, and her home address. There are so many reasons not to put your kids on the internet and this episode delves into troubling dynamics of child influencers in the book "Like, Follow, Subscribe" by Fortessa Latifi. We examine the ethics surrounding the phenomenon in terms of consent and the long-lasting implications for children whose lives are broadcasted online. The conversation considers the stark contrast between the lucrative opportunities for parents and the potential psychological and emotional toll on the children involved. As we navigate through various case studies, including both the successes and scandals of prominent family vloggers, we underscore the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to protect minors in the digital landscape. We discuss the responsibilities of parents and the societal implications of commodifying childhood in a voyeuristic culture. Takeaways: The podcast discusses the ethical implications of child influencers and their online presence, emphasizing the need for informed consent, which young children are unable to provide adequately.Parents often face a moral dilemma regarding the monetization of their children's images, balancing financial benefits against potential long-term psychological harm to the child.The conversation highlights the complicated nature of parental responsibility, particularly in the context of social media, where children’s privacy is often compromised for profit.The podcast reflects on the evolution of mommy blogging into influencer culture, noting that while some parents find success, many families face significant challenges and ethical concerns in the process.Listeners are urged to consider the lasting impacts of exposing children to a public platform, particularly in an age of increasing digital surveillance and potential exploitation.The discussion underscores a growing call for more robust legal frameworks to protect child influencers, as current laws do not adequately address the complexities of modern content creation. Companies mentioned in this episode: Habit CoachTesting MomFortessa LatifiReal HousewivesBravoNext Gen nycKardashiansMormonsRachel ParcelBallerina FarmShannon BirdRyan's WorldAlex CooperCall Her DaddyBecca MartinezKim ZolciakAriana BiermanBethany JohnsonRuby FrankePiper RaquelCarissa Collins

    Like, Follow, Subscribe: Is The Internet a Place for Children? Inspired by Kalie Robbins' Unsettling Discovery

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

'Other People's Parenting' is hosted by mother daughter duo Karen Quinn (New York Times best selling author of The Ivy Chronicles , founder of early childhood education companies Habit Coach and Testing Mom) and Schuyler Hurwitz (amateur parent). They read contemporary, classic, and controversial parenting books and give you the gist with a sense of humor, so you can implement the methods or just be able to discuss them at school functions.

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