Helping Families Be Happy

Familius
Helping Families Be Happy

With help from guest authors, experts, and community and business leaders, the Familius Helping Families Be Happy podcast explores topics and issues that connect families to the nine habits of a happy family: love, play, learn, work, talk, heal, read, eat, and laugh together.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Empowering Kids: Body Positivity from A to Z with Emily Lauren Dick

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, produced by Familius Publishing, host Adina Oberman chats with Emily Lauren Dick, author, activist, and creative marketer. Emily discusses her upcoming children’s book, I Love Me from A to Z, a beautifully illustrated board book that promotes body positivity, self-love, inclusion, and body safety for the youngest readers. Drawing on her extensive research into body image, Emily shares actionable tips for parents to help children build confidence, recognize their self-worth, and embrace their uniqueness in a world filled with external pressures. She also highlights how starting these conversations early can create a foundation of resilience and authenticity for kids as they grow. This episode is packed with practical advice for parents and caregivers to foster body positivity and teach children the importance of self-care and inclusion. Episode Highlights [02:10] The Inspiration Behind I Love Me from A to ZEmily shares how her research into body image and experiences as a mom inspired her to create a resource for young children that promotes self-love, confidence, and inclusion. [06:30] Why Body Image Conversations Should Start EarlyStudies show that children as young as three are influenced by body image issues. Emily explains how starting conversations early equips kids with the tools to build confidence and navigate a world filled with media influences. [10:45] Key Themes of the Book: Positivity and EmpowermentEmily describes how each letter in her book serves as a positive affirmation or statement to inspire kids, teaching concepts like body safety, kindness, and challenging societal expectations. [15:20] The Power of Language and Visual RepresentationLearn how the book’s vibrant illustrations and inclusive imagery foster understanding, representation, and emotional connection for children of all backgrounds and abilities. [20:10] Teaching Body Safety and Self-AdvocacyEmily emphasizes the importance of empowering kids to set boundaries and say “no,” laying the groundwork for healthy relationships and self-awareness. [24:30] Equipping Kids for Resilience in a Media-Driven WorldDiscover tips for parents to combat negative messaging in media, foster mindfulness, and help children reconnect with their authentic selves. Key Takeaways Start Early with Body Positivity: Introduce concepts like body safety, self-love, and inclusion through simple conversations and engaging books. Empower Kids to Set Boundaries: Teach children to say “yes” and “no” confidently, helping them advocate for their feelings and personal space. Celebrate Uniqueness: Promote representation and inclusion by exposing kids to diverse stories and imagery that reflect different abilities, sizes, and backgrounds. Combat Negative Messaging: Equip kids with tools to navigate a media-driven world and maintain a strong sense of self-worth. Use Positive Affirmations: Reinforce confidence and resilience through affirmations that encourage kindness, empathy, and self-care.

    14 min
  2. FEB 5

    The Power of Play: Building Social and Emotional Skills in Early Childhood with Sarah Winkler

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, produced by Familius Publishing, host Adina Oberman speaks with Sarah Winkler, an experienced preschool teacher and mom of three. Sarah shares her expertise in play-based learning, emergent curriculum, and hands-on activities that inspire creativity, confidence, and curiosity in young children. Sarah explains how parents and educators can use simple, everyday moments to create meaningful learning experiences. She highlights the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of play and offers practical tips for setting up engaging activities at home and in the classroom. This episode is packed with actionable advice for parents, caregivers, and teachers looking to nurture early childhood development and build stronger family connections through play. Episode Highlights [02:10] What Is a Lab School and How Does It Work?Sarah describes her unique teaching environment, which emphasizes hands-on, play-based education and training for future educators. [06:30] Why Play Is Essential for Early Childhood Development:Discover how play builds cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills—and why it’s a child’s most important job. [10:45] Meaningful Play Activities for Home and Classroom:Sarah shares tips for creating simple, interactive activities like sensory bins, water play, and nature walks that promote learning and exploration. [15:20] Building Social and Emotional Skills Through Play:Learn how play encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and emotional regulation while laying the foundation for future academic success. [20:10] Encouraging Curiosity Through Scientific Inquiry:Sarah explains how activities like shadow exploration and melting ice experiments spark curiosity and teach basic STEM concepts. [24:30] Empowering Kids Through Emergent Curriculum:Sarah discusses how building lessons around children’s interests fosters confidence, creativity, and a love for learning. Key Takeaways Play Is Learning: Play isn’t just fun—it’s how kids develop critical thinking, social skills, and emotional intelligence. Simple Activities Create Big Impact: Everyday objects like water, sand, and blocks can be transformed into meaningful learning tools. Follow Children’s Interests: Let kids’ curiosity guide activities to deepen engagement and foster a love for learning. Encourage Conversation During Play: Ask open-ended questions to build vocabulary, math skills, and problem-solving abilities. Support Emotional Growth: Teach kids self-regulation, empathy, and cooperation through hands-on play and social interactions.

    20 min
  3. JAN 22

    Building Your Babies Library: Start Early, Read Often with Antonia Squire

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, produced by Familius Publishing, host Christopher Robbins talks with Antonia Squire, a veteran children’s bookseller and children’s buyer at The King’s English Bookshop. Antonia shares expert tips on building a children’s library, starting from baby showers to chapter books for older kids. The discussion highlights the importance of reading aloud to children at every stage of development, the role of books in building empathy and curiosity, and specific recommendations for timeless and engaging titles. Whether you’re looking to create a starter library or expand an existing collection, this episode offers practical advice to foster a lifelong love of reading in your children. Episode Highlights [02:15] Start Early—Baby Books as Gifts:Antonia suggests building a library as early as baby showers, encouraging parents to replace cards with books inscribed with personal messages. [06:40] The Importance of Reading Aloud at Any Age:Reading aloud fosters connection, emotional bonding, and early literacy skills. Antonia emphasizes that children are never too young—or too old—to enjoy storytime. [10:30] Interactive Books for Toddlers:Recommendations like Tails and Pout-Pout Fish highlight the value of tactile and rhythmic books for engaging young readers. [15:20] Picture Books for Growth and Humor:Titles such as I Eat Poop and The Gruffalo teach humor, resilience, and irony, making them perfect for ages 3 and up. [20:50] Chapter Books That Build Reading Confidence:Antonia highlights Ramona the Pest and Charlotte’s Web as must-reads for early readers, blending timeless storytelling with life lessons. [26:30] Building Empathy Through Fiction:Books help children experience life through different perspectives, improving emotional intelligence and decision-making. [30:10] Creating Access with Nonprofits Like Brain Food Books:Antonia introduces Brain Food Books, a nonprofit focused on providing books to children without easy access, and explains how just 10 books in a home can improve a child’s success. Key Takeaways Start Early with Books: Build your child’s library starting at baby showers to set the foundation for early literacy and bonding. Read Aloud at Every Stage: Continue reading aloud as children grow to keep them engaged and foster imagination and comprehension. Choose Interactive and Fun Books: Books with humor, rhyme, and touch-and-feel elements captivate young readers and keep them coming back. Include Chapter Books for Growth: Introduce longer stories like Ramona the Pest and Charlotte’s Web to deepen literacy and emotional connections. Focus on Empathy and Imagination: Fiction helps children understand different perspectives and make thoughtful decisions.

    34 min
  4. JAN 8

    Unlocking Family Bonds: Strengthening Connections Through Picture Books with Storybook Basics

    In this Helping Families Be Happy episode, host Adina Oberman welcomes Erin Clark and Kate Witherington, the creators of Storybook Basics, a platform aimed at helping parents, caregivers, and teachers connect with children through picture books. By using their BASICS approach—Book, Activity, Snack, Ideas, Connections—Erin and Kate provide simple, low-prep ideas to foster parent-child bonding, early literacy, and joyful play. Their tips and strategies offer practical support for busy families who want to nurture literacy and emotional connections in an accessible, engaging way. This episode is packed with insights for parents and educators looking to enhance family bonding time and create lasting memories. Episode Highlights [02:10] Creating Storybook Basics for Parent-Child Bonding: Erin and Kate share how they developed Storybook Basics as a resource for parents to connect with their kids through storytelling and play, inspired by their backgrounds in teaching and early childhood development. [06:00] BASICS Approach to Family Bonding: They outline their BASICS method—Book, Activity, Snack, Ideas, and Connections—which helps parents make reading time an enriching bonding experience. Each week, they feature a quality book, a simple activity, an easy snack, and discussion questions to encourage meaningful conversations. [10:15] Serving Busy Parents and Educators: Erin and Kate explain how Storybook Basics is designed for busy parents, grandparents, and teachers who seek easy, cost-effective ways to incorporate bonding activities, early literacy, and kid-friendly play. [14:00] Making Story Time Accessible for All Families: They emphasize that bonding over books doesn’t require expensive materials; libraries, budget-friendly books, and everyday items can create memorable family playtime and storytelling experiences. [17:30] Tailoring Reading to Your Child’s Learning Style: Erin and Kate offer tips on adjusting storytime for different learning styles, such as using sensory tools to help active kids focus. These methods ensure an inclusive approach to nurturing early literacy skills. [22:45] Vocabulary Building Through Picture Books: Picture books contain 70% more rare words than typical conversations, making them a powerful tool for building vocabulary, supporting early literacy, and enhancing children’s communication skills. [26:30] Embracing Slow Living and Mindful Parenting: Erin and Kate close with their motto, “Slowing down childhood one picture book at a time.” They remind parents that picture books offer a chance to slow down, be present, and nurture strong parent-child connections. Key Takeaways 1. Prioritize Family Bonding with Picture Books: Picture books create rich moments for connecting with your child and reinforcing family bonds.2. Adapt Storytime to Your Child’s Needs: Tailor reading sessions to your child’s personality and learning style to make literacy and bonding effective and fun.3. Foster Vocabulary and Literacy Growth: Reading picture books introduces new vocabulary, supporting early language skills and communication development.4. Practice Mindful Parenting: Slow down and cherish small, memorable moments with your child through shared reading and playful learning.

    19 min
  5. 11/27/2024

    Empowering LGBTQ Kids During Holidays: Practical Tips for Inclusive Parenting with Heather Hester

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, host Adina Oberman interviews Heather Hester, founder of Chrysalis Mama and author of Parenting with Pride: Unlearn Bias and Embrace, Empower, and Love Your LGBTQ Teen. Heather shares her personal journey of parenting LGBTQ children and provides actionable strategies for navigating family gatherings during the holidays with compassion and confidence. This insightful conversation covers setting healthy boundaries, supporting your child, and fostering open communication, all while promoting acceptance and love within families.Episode Highlights [02:15] Heather’s Journey and Parenting with Pride: Heather introduces her book, which draws from her family’s experience of parenting LGBTQ children, and explains how it helps parents unlearn biases and embrace understanding and empowerment.  [07:30] Setting Boundaries at Family Gatherings: Heather discusses how to handle challenging conversations with family members who may not be affirming of LGBTQ identities. She emphasizes the importance of protecting your child and modeling self-respect. [12:45] Simple Strategies for Difficult Conversations: Learn how to deflect confrontational topics by providing resources or redirecting conversations. Heather explains why it’s not your responsibility to educate others and how to prioritize your child’s well-being. [18:00] Empowering Your Child Through Support:Heather highlights the importance of allowing your child to make decisions about their participation in gatherings. By showing them respect and standing by their choices, parents can empower children to set their own boundaries. [22:15] Recognizing and Managing Emotional Triggers:Heather shares tips for managing emotional reactions during heated discussions, including pausing to respond thoughtfully. She encourages parents to model calm, intentional behavior for their children. [26:30] Teaching Self-Love Through Boundaries:Setting and maintaining boundaries isn’t just about family dynamics—it’s about teaching children how to advocate for themselves and love themselves. [30:00] Final Advice for Navigating Family Dynamics:Heather advises parents to stay present, trust their instincts, and have their child’s back in any situation, even when caught off guard by challenging family dynamics. Key Takeaways     Set Healthy Boundaries: Protect your child by setting clear limits with family members who are not affirming.    Empower Your Child: Support your child’s autonomy in deciding how to navigate family gatherings.    Model Emotional Awareness: Teach by example—respond thoughtfully to challenging situations instead of reacting impulsively.    Provide Resources, Not Arguments: Redirect confrontational conversations by offering educational resources, not personal debates.

    22 min
  6. 11/20/2024

    Navigating Holiday Gatherings: Setting Boundaries with Grace with Carla Marie Manly

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy Podcast, host Adina Oberman speaks with Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist and expert in personal transformation, to discuss strategies for setting healthy boundaries during holiday gatherings. With holidays often bringing together family and friends, Dr. Manley offers practical tips for navigating potentially invasive questions with grace and respect. This conversation is perfect for those seeking to create a positive, self-respecting environment during social events, allowing families to enjoy gatherings with mutual understanding. [00:00] Host Adina Oberman introduces Dr. Carla Marie Manly, highlighting her expertise in relationships, personal growth, and boundary setting, especially relevant during the holiday season. Dr. Manly explains her holistic approach to helping others navigate relationships with a foundation of self-respect and resilience. [04:15] Dr. Manly describes common holiday challenges, such as invasive questions, and emphasizes the importance of establishing boundaries. She encourages listeners to view boundaries as emotional “fences” that protect well-being, offering examples of how to respond calmly to probing questions. [09:30] Dr. Manly discusses the impact of the word “should” on boundaries, noting that feeling obligated to answer personal questions can lead to boundary violations. She encourages families to set limits confidently and gracefully, re-framing boundaries as a means of self-care. [13:50] The conversation covers practical responses to common intrusive questions (e.g., about relationships or family planning). Dr. Manly shares polite, direct phrases for redirecting conversations and maintaining personal privacy. [18:20] Dr. Manly emphasizes the value of role-modeling boundaries for children, highlighting how parents can demonstrate self-respect in social settings. She also suggests practicing boundary-setting phrases to build confidence before gatherings. [23:30] Dr. Manly explains the “three strikes, you’re out” approach to reinforce boundaries, advising listeners on handling persistent boundary crossers by politely exiting conversations if necessary. [28:45] Dr. Manly addresses handling conversations with individuals under the influence of alcohol, explaining how to navigate these situations by disengaging if needed, to maintain emotional safety and peace. [32:15] Dr. Manly shares advice on avoiding discussions around politics or sensitive topics at family gatherings, including using “timeouts” as a graceful way to step away from uncomfortable conversations. Key Takeaways: Healthy boundaries allow you to maintain self-respect and enjoy holiday gatherings more fully. Polite, direct responses can help redirect intrusive questions without damaging relationships. Role-modeling boundaries for children reinforces the importance of self-respect. Practice boundary-setting phrases to build confidence in social settings. Using a “timeout” can provide a graceful exit from difficult conversations, especially when sensitive topics arise.

    19 min
5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

With help from guest authors, experts, and community and business leaders, the Familius Helping Families Be Happy podcast explores topics and issues that connect families to the nine habits of a happy family: love, play, learn, work, talk, heal, read, eat, and laugh together.

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