Parents of the Year

Caroline & Andrew
  • 5.0 (3)
  • 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. 1d ago

    229. Why Does Everything Feel Too Much for My Child?

    Why does every conversation with your child seem to turn into a fight? Why do your attempts to help leave both of you feeling worse? When a child or teen experiences emotions that feel overwhelming, their brain naturally searches for relief. Sometimes that relief comes through behaviours that worry the adults who love them most, including self harm or other self destructive coping strategies. Understanding why those behaviours develop changes the way we respond. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Buzanko is joined by therapist and author Katie K. May to explore why validation is one of the most powerful tools for reducing emotional intensity, why regulating yourself comes before trying to regulate your child, and how everyday interactions can either strengthen connection or increase conflict. You'll learn why emotional validation does not encourage unhealthy behaviour, how to recognise what sits underneath anger and irritability, practical ways to step out of power struggles, and why building connection often starts with simply sharing space together. If you're supporting a young person with anxiety, emotional dysregulation, depression, self harm, or intense emotional reactions, this conversation offers practical strategies you can begin using today. In this episode you'll learn: Why self destructive behaviours often become short term coping strategiesHow validation lowers emotional intensityWhy regulating yourself changes everythingHow to avoid escalating emotional stormsWays to rebuild connection after conflictWhat radical acceptance really means for familiesPractical communication strategies that strengthen trustAbout Katie K. May Katie K. May is a licensed therapist, author, speaker, and group practice owner. She founded Creative Healing, a multi-location teen support center in the Philadelphia area, and wrote the #1 Amazon best-seller You’re On Fire, It’s Fine. Her second book for clinicians, Teen DBT in Practice will be published in July 2026. With lived experience as a teen who turned to self-harm, Katie is one of a select few Board Certified DBT Clinicians in Pennsylvania, the gold standard treatment for self-harm and suicidal behaviors. She equips parents and clinicians with practical, trauma-informed tools to decode behavior as survival and create lasting change.  Website: www.katiekmay.com   Instagram for Parents of Teens: https://www.instagram.com/creative_healing   Instagram for Therapists: https://www.instagram.com/katiekmay  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekmay  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katiekmay  Resources: You're on Fire, It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors https://geni.us/YoureonFireItsFine  Homework Ideas Build a Stress Meter Create your own stress scale from 0 to 10. Ask yourself several times each day: Where am I right now?What do I need before responding?Practise using calming strategies before difficult conversations. Validate Before Solving For one week, resist the urge to immediately fix your child's emotions. Use statements like: "I can see this is really hard.""That makes sense.""I'm here with you."Notice how the conversation changes. Notice and Name Emotions When emotions appear, simply label them. Examples: "You seem disappointed.""You look frustrated.""I can see you're angry."Avoid jumping immediately into solutions. Spend 15 Minutes Together Without Correcting Spend fifteen uninterrupted minutes in the same room. No reminders.  No criticism.  No advice.  No problem solving. Just share space together. Practise Your Own Emotional Modelling When you're becoming overwhelmed, say it aloud. "I'm feeling frustrated." "I'm going to take a few minutes." "I'll come back when I'm calmer." Your child learns emotional regulation by watching yours. Send us Fan Mail 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

    229. Why Does Everything Feel Too Much for My Child?

  2. Sep 9

    228. Why Are We So Busy but Still Getting Nowhere?

    Do you ever reach the end of the day exhausted, yet still feel like you didn’t do enough? Parents are surrounded by pressure to do more, achieve more, improve more, and somehow help their kids do the same. But trying to pursue everything can leave us making very little progress on what actually matters. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline talk about the difference between having big aspirations and endlessly chasing possibilities. They explore why too many goals can leave us stuck, how comparison and hustle culture feed the feeling that we’re falling behind, and why meaningful progress often comes from choosing one realistic action you can take today. They also look at what this means for kids. Rather than shutting down big dreams, parents can help children and teens connect those dreams to their daily choices: How are you spending your time? What are you willing to practise? What can you do today that moves you closer? From writing a book to saving for school to simply texting a friend when they cross your mind, this conversation is a reminder that a meaningful life gets built in the small moments we keep waiting to act on. If your days feel packed but the things that matter keep getting pushed aside, this episode may change what you choose to do with your time today. Homework for ParentsThe episode naturally gives you several strong activities rather than a formal homework assignment. The One-Thing Question Choose one thing you genuinely want to accomplish. Ask: “What is one thing I can do today to move towards it?” Dr. Caroline describes doing exactly this with her book. After years of talking about writing it, she scheduled dedicated blocks every day. At the time of recording, the manuscript was already with a publisher for review. Try It With Your Child When your child shares a goal, resist immediately explaining how difficult or unrealistic it might be. Ask: “What could you do today that would move you a little closer?” For a teen aiming for a particular GPA, that could mean studying tonight. For a child interested in art, it could mean drawing for 20 minutes. The aim is to connect aspirations with behaviour rather than leaving them as distant ideas. Protect a Focus Block Choose one important project and put uninterrupted time in your calendar. Andrew and Dr. Caroline discuss 90 minutes as a useful period for focused work, with one important condition: it actually needs to be focused. For parents with younger children, 90 minutes may be unrealistic. The principle matters more than the number. Protect whatever amount of focused time your current circumstances genuinely allow. The “Do It Now” Experiment For one week, notice small opportunities to act on the kind of person you want to be. Thinking about a friend? Text them. Does someone need the door held? Hold it. Opportunity to be patient with your child? Take it. Dr. Caroline makes the point that becoming kinder or more generous doesn’t require creating another elaborate project for yourself. The character gets practised in ordinary moments. Future-Self Check This one works particularly well with teens. When there’s something coming up, identify it without turning it into today’s crisis. Then ask: “Is there one small thing I can do today that will make this easier for me in the future me?” Andrew describes this through their daughter thinking about having enough money for the following semester. The future expense didn’t need to consume her present day, but she could acknowledge it and make small choices that helped prepare for it. Send us Fan Mail 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

    228. Why Are We So Busy but Still Getting Nowhere?

  3. Sep 2

    227. Why won’t your child tell you what’s wrong?

    Your child comes home from school. You ask how their day went. “Fine.” And now you’re left wondering whether they’re actually fine, overwhelmed, lonely, worried about finding their classroom, struggling with a locker, or simply not ready to talk. School transitions can bring excitement, uncertainty, social worries, new responsibilities, and plenty of stress. And when parents see their child struggling, the instinct to step in, fix the problem, offer advice, or make things easier can be hard to resist. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline talk about helping kids through transitions without micromanaging the experience. Caroline explains why validation should come before advice, how open-ended questions help kids build their own problem-solving skills, and why parents need to understand what is actually getting in the way before deciding their child needs help. They also share practical ideas from their own family, including their “bravery jar,” practising locker combinations before school, building study habits early, and helping kids stretch beyond their comfort zone without taking over. Whether your child is starting a new grade, moving into junior high or high school, heading to university, or facing another big change, this episode will help you know when to support, when to validate, and when to give them room to figure things out. Parent Homework Ideas These activities come directly from the strategies Dr. Caroline discusses in the episode. The Transition Worry List Kids often genuinely answer “I don’t know” because they cannot identify what they are worried about on demand. Caroline recommends brainstorming possibilities together. Write down possible concerns: Getting lostOpening a lockerFinding friends at lunchHaving nobody in their classA difficult teacherTaking public transitFinding classroomsManaging homeworkAsk your child to cross out what doesn’t bother them and check anything that might. Try Validation Before Advice For one week, notice what happens when your child brings you a problem. Before giving advice, try: “That sounds tough.” “That’s a lot.” “Wow.” Then wait. When they feel heard, ask: “What do you need?”  “What are you going to do?”  “How can I help?” Practise One Practical Skill Choose one responsibility your child will encounter during their transition and practise it before they need it under pressure. Dr. Caroline describes buying a similar lock and having their child practise opening it before school. That removed one worry from an already stressful transition. Other possibilities: Take the bus route together.Practise using a combination lock.Walk through their schedule.Practise ordering or buying lunch.Create a simple homework routine.Practise introducing themselves. Create a Bravery Jar Dr. Caroline shares how their family used a bravery jar to encourage small steps outside their children’s comfort zones. Fill a jar with manageable challenges: “Compliment someone.” “Say hello to someone new.” “Sit with someone at lunch.” “Ask someone a question.” “Try one unfamiliar activity.” The goal is growth, rather than suddenly becoming confident or having lots of friends. Ask: Whose Goal Is This? Before worrying about your child sitting alone, having a small friend group or skipping certain social activities, ask: “Are they unhappy with this, or am I?” Dr. Caroline shares that one of their daughters sometimes chose to read alone because she wanted the downtime. What might look concerning to a parent may be exactly what the child wants. Send us Fan Mail 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

    227. Why won’t your child tell you what’s wrong?

  4. Aug 26

    226. Are Your Expectations Getting in Your Child's Way?

    You want your child to be happy, successful and confident. But when does wanting the best for them quietly turn into deciding what their life should look like? In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline get personal as one of their daughters prepares to move out. That milestone sparks a bigger conversation about the goals parents carry for their children and how easily our own experiences, missed opportunities and expectations can shape them. They talk about raising curious lifelong learners, letting kids choose their own path, modelling rather than pushing, building confidence through new experiences, and why frustration and disappointment have an important place in growing up. Caroline also offers a simple exercise: write down the goals you have for your child, ask why each one matters, who it is really for, and whether it supports growth. Your child doesn't need to become the person you pictured. Your job is to give them opportunities to discover who they can become. Parent Homework Ideas This is the clearest actionable exercise from the episode. Dr. Caroline tells listeners to write down their goals, ask why they hold each one, determine who benefits and consider whether the goal focuses on growth. Write Down Your Goals Without editing yourself, finish: "I want my child to…" Examples might include: Go to universityHave good friendsBe confidentGet good gradesExerciseFind a partnerHave childrenBe financially successfulBe happy Ask "Why?" Beside every goal, write: Why does this matter to me? Then go one layer deeper: Is this connected to something I wanted, missed, struggled with or valued in my own life? Dr. Caroline points directly to this distinction: wanting university because you didn't attend, athletics because you had an unrealized athletic dream, or confidence because you lacked it yourself. Ask "Who Is This For?" Mark each goal: Mostly for my child / Mostly for me / Both Pay particular attention to goals that affect how you believe your child's choices reflect on you. Turn Outcomes Into Growth Change goals you cannot control into opportunities for development. Instead of: "I want my child to always be happy." Try: "I want my child to recognize moments of happiness and develop the skills to cope with difficult emotions." Dr. Caroline makes this distinction in the episode, explaining that children need the full range of emotions and the ability to recognize, manage and move through them. Choose One Opportunity for Exposure Give your child an opportunity to experience something without requiring them to love it. That could be cooking, skating, volunteering, hiking, music, sport, art, reading, travel or another family interest. Parent rule: expose, invite and model. Don't make your child's enthusiasm the measure of success. Andrew and Dr. Caroline describe this with fitness and golf: their daughters were exposed to these activities without being pushed, then returned to some of them later for motivations of their own. Send us Fan Mail 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

    226. Are Your Expectations Getting in Your Child's Way?

  5. Aug 19

    225. How do we help kids transition back to school?

    Are you ready to kickstart the new school year with ease and confidence? Today, we recast an episode of Dr. Caroline's Overpowering Emotions podcast, where she presents valuable tips and strategies to ensure a smooth back-to-school transition.  If you haven't already, check out these additional resources: Comprehensive guide to conquering back-to-school anxiety: https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/conquerschoolanxietyCritical routines your children need to develop: https://korupsychology.ca/essential-routines-for-success-and-well-being/Send us Fan Mail 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

    225. How do we help kids transition back to school?

  6. Aug 12

    224. When Did Parenting Become Our Entire Identity?

    There is a moment that catches many parents by surprise. The children are growing up, becoming more independent, and suddenly a new question appears: Who am I outside of being Mom or Dad? In this episode, Andrew and Dr. Caroline begin with a light-hearted conversation about adventure, risk-taking, and their very different comfort zones. That playful discussion quickly turns into something much deeper. They explore how parenting has changed across generations, why fathers are more involved than ever before, and how the expectations placed on both parents continue to grow. The conversation looks at: why dads often become more protective as children grow olderhow moms and dads naturally approach boundaries differentlywhy couples can unintentionally work against one anotherthe unseen mental load many parents carryhow appreciation inside a relationship can quietly disappearwhy many parents struggle to answer a simple question: What do I actually enjoy anymore?Andrew and Dr. Caroline also discuss school refusal, parenting as a team, supporting children without rescuing them, maintaining healthy boundaries, and preparing for life after the children leave home. If you've ever felt that your identity has slowly been replaced by schedules, practices, homework, appointments and responsibilities, this conversation will probably feel very familiar. This episode is a reminder that raising healthy children should never come at the cost of losing yourself. Listen now to discover practical ideas for protecting your relationship, supporting your children and reconnecting with the person you were before parenting became your full-time identity. The discussion centres on changing parenting roles, father involvement, maintaining boundaries, parental burnout, and preparing for the empty-nest years. Parent Homework Family Appreciation Audit For one week, each parent writes down five things the other parent did that made family life easier. Share the lists together at the end of the week. The goal here is noticing and acknowledging each other’s contribution rather than empty praise. Identify & Protect Set aside twenty minutes without children or devices and write your answer to: If I wasn't responsible for anyone else today, how would I choose to spend my time? Notice what comes up. What is one step you could do towards that? Next, schedule when you’re going to take that step and protect that time. Continue to build from there.    Check Your Boundaries Think about one recent situation where your child wanted to avoid something difficult, like school, practice, homework, or sleeping alone. Ask yourself: Did I help them through the discomfort?Did I rescue them from it?What could I do differently to help build their confidence?Choose one recurring situation and decide ahead of time what boundary you’ll hold and how you’ll support them through it. If you’re parenting together, agree on the response so there isn’t an “escape hatch” with the other parent. The goal is to help your child learn: “This is hard, and I can still do it.” Family Conversation Ask each family member: "What is one thing you think I really enjoy doing?" The answers are often surprising and can reveal how your children currently see you. See if they spark any ideas of things for you to try. Send us Fan Mail 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

    224. When Did Parenting Become Our Entire Identity?

  7. Aug 5

    223. Why Does Parenting Make You Forget Everything?

    You walk into a room and can't remember why you're there. Your keys end up in the fridge. You forget permission slips, lunches and appointments, then wonder if you're simply becoming forgetful. You're probably not. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline explores what actually happens inside the brain after becoming a parent. They explain why "baby brain" isn't about losing intelligence, how caregiving changes the way the brain organizes information, and why parents often feel mentally overloaded. You'll also hear practical ways to reduce mental clutter, including creating an external brain with calendars, visual checklists, launch pads, routines and simple systems that make everyday life easier. If parenting has left you feeling mentally stretched, this conversation offers reassurance and realistic strategies you can begin using today. Homework Ideas Homework Challenge: Build Your "External Brain" Choose one area where you feel mentally overloaded and create a system so your brain doesn't have to remember everything. Create a family calendar. Whether it's digital or paper, keep every appointment, activity, practice and event in one place that everyone can see. Create a launch pad. Choose one location near your door for: BackpackKeysWalletLunch bagSchool agendaSports equipmentEverything goes back to the same place every day. Take photos instead of relying on memory. Create picture checklists for: School backpackHockey or ringette bagBeach dayCampingSleepoverTravelKeep the photos on your phone for quick reference. Automate one recurring decision. Ideas include: Meal planning every SundayBuying matching socksKeeping duplicate chargersPacking bags the night beforePreparing lunches in batchesReduce the number of daily decisions you need to make. Schedule recovery time. Try one of these: 10–20 minutes of Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)Yoga NidraSix-Mississippi hugs with your childA short walkQuiet readingTime with your petLooking after yourself helps your brain support everyone else. Send us Fan Mail 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

    223. Why Does Parenting Make You Forget Everything?

  8. Jul 29

    222. Could an AI Girlfriend Change the Way Your Teen Sees Real Relationships?

    AI companions are becoming part of everyday life, and many families have no idea how quickly they're finding their way into teenagers' worlds. Reports suggest that one in five boys between 12 and 16 either has an AI girlfriend or knows someone who does. That statistic raises important questions about loneliness, connection, emotional development, and what healthy relationships may look like for the next generation. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline explore why some young people are turning to AI for companionship, what these virtual relationships provide that real relationships cannot, and the social skills children risk missing when technology removes rejection, disagreement, and emotional discomfort. They also discuss dating apps, loneliness, online validation, unrealistic expectations, and practical ways parents can stay connected without creating shame or secrecy. This conversation is not about fearing technology. It's about understanding why these tools are appealing, recognising the risks, and helping children build the confidence, communication skills, and real-life relationships they need to thrive. In this episode you'll learn: Why AI companions are becoming attractive to teenagersWhat loneliness and disconnection may be drivingHow AI changes expectations about relationshipsWhy learning to handle rejection is an important life skillHow constant validation can affect emotional growthPractical ways parents can talk about AI without judgmentWhy family boundaries around technology still matter during the teen yearsWhat parents should know about emerging AI relationship apps Homework Activities for Adults This week's conversation isn't about banning AI. It's about helping children build the kinds of relationships that technology can never replace. Here are practical ways to put the discussion into action. 1. Ask Before You Advise This week, choose one moment to ask your child about the technology they enjoy without trying to correct or teach. Try questions like: "What's something you've been using AI for lately?""What do you like about it?""What makes it useful?""What do your friends think about it?"The goal is to understand first. 2. Create One Device-Free Connection Each Week Choose one activity where phones stay away. Ideas include: Walking the dogGoing for coffee or ice creamPlaying a board gameCooking togetherDriving without phonesChildren are far more likely to talk when conversation isn't forced. 3. Teach That Relationships Include Discomfort Use everyday situations to reinforce that healthy relationships include: disagreementsmisunderstandingsapologiesforgivenesscompromiseThose experiences build emotional maturity. 4. Learn About AI Together Rather than assuming what AI can or cannot do, spend 20 minutes exploring it together. Look at: AI chatbotsAI companion appsAI image generatorsAI homework toolsKnowing what's available makes future conversations much easier. 5. Review Family Technology Expectations If you don't already have family expectations around technology, now is a good time. Discuss: Bedrooms and devicesHeadphones during family timePrivacy expectationsScreen-free mealsOvernight phone charging locationsMake the conversation collaborative rather than punitive. Send us Fan Mail 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

    222. Could an AI Girlfriend Change the Way Your Teen Sees Real Relationships?
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 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
    229
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Parents of the Year
  • Show Website
    Parents of the Year