Parents of the Year

Caroline & Andrew
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Parenting
  • 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

    236. How Do You Raise a Neurodivergent Child Who Can Advocate for Themselves?

    Your child knows what they need to do. So why is getting out the door, starting homework, or following a simple routine still so difficult? For neurodivergent children, everyday expectations can become overwhelming when executive functioning challenges, sensory needs, and emotional regulation difficulties get in the way. And sometimes, the strategies parents rely on are making things harder. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline welcome Lisa Richer, neurodivergent advocate, success partner, and creator of the Clarity, Confidence, and Courage Journey Map. As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent adult and mother of two neurodivergent sons, Lisa knows what it's like to navigate school systems, advocate for accommodations, and prepare children for independence. She shares a personal story about her son's experience with eye contact during therapy. When she noticed that being asked to look directly at someone made it harder for him to listen, she challenged that expectation. Years later, when he was learning to drive, he reminded her of the irony: now she wanted him to keep his eyes on the road and listen without looking at her. It's a funny moment with an important lesson about how differently people process information. In this episode, you'll discover: Why traditional parenting strategies don't always work for children with ADHD, autism, and executive functioning difficulties.How to make morning routines and homework less stressful.Why some children need downtime after school before they're ready to learn again.How to recognise when your child is overwhelmed and choose a better time for difficult conversations.Why eye contact isn't a reliable measure of attention or respect.How to help neurodivergent teenagers advocate for their needs at school, with friends, and in adulthood.What parents should know about the transition to university, college, and independent living.Lisa also introduces her Clarity, Confidence, and Courage Journey Map and explains how families can work through personal, relationship, and school-related barriers. Your child shouldn't have to hide how their brain works to be understood. If you're raising a neurodivergent child, supporting a teenager with ADHD, or wondering how to prepare your child for greater independence, this conversation offers practical ideas you can start using at home. Listen to Parents of the Year with Andrew and Dr. Caroline, featuring Lisa Richer. Homework activities  These activities are drawn from Lisa's recommendations and the family experiences discussed during the episode. They can also be adapted for educators supporting neurodivergent students. Activity 1: Redesign your morning routine Ask your child which part of getting ready feels hardest. Together, choose one change to test this week. Pack the backpack the night before, put the water bottle by the door, or prepare a quick breakfast option. Activity 2: Create an after-school recharge plan Ask your child whether they prefer a break before homework or feel better finishing their work first. Try their preferred order for several school days and observe what happens. Activity 3: Practise asking for what you need Help your teen practise phrases they can use when they're overstimulated or running low on energy. Try: "I'm listening, but I need to look away right now," or "I'd like to join you, but I might be quieter than usual." Activity 4: Choose a better time for difficult conversations Notice when you or your child are becoming frustrated. Agree on a simple signal to pause the discussion and return to it once you're ready. Activity 5: Prepare your teenager for independence Ask your teen to identify one task they'll need to manage independently, from scheduling appointments to requesting school accommodations. Practise the steps together, including whom to contact when they need help. About Lisa Richer Lisa Richer is a neurodivergent success partner, advocate, and founder of Journey2Bloom. As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent adult and mother of two neurodivergent sons, she combines lived experience with professional training to support students, parents, educators, and professionals. Through her Clarity, Confidence, and Courage Journey Map, Lisa helps individuals and families identify barriers, strengthen self-advocacy skills, and find practical ways forward. Her work focuses on helping neurodivergent individuals understand their needs, build confidence, and succeed in environments that recognise and support their differences. Resources and ways to connect with Lisa  Journey2Bloom — Official website -https://journey2bloom.com LinkedIn — linkedin.com/in/lisaricher  Instagram — instagram.com/journey2bloom Facebook — facebook.com/LisaLazarRicher  YouTube — youtube.com/@Journey2bloom 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

    236. How Do You Raise a Neurodivergent Child Who Can Advocate for Themselves?

  2. Oct 28

    235. Are You Trying Too Hard to Be a Good Parent?

    Are You So Busy Trying to Be a Good Parent That You're Missing the Moments That Matter? Do you ever feel like you're constantly being told to do more as a parent? More activities, better routines, less screen time, healthier habits. With so much parenting advice everywhere, it's easy to feel like you're never doing enough. But your child might need something much simpler: your presence. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline discuss why being present as a parent matters more than following every parenting trend or filling your family's schedule with activities. Through personal stories, from raking leaves together to an unexpectedly meaningful evening spent reading, Andrew and Dr. Caroline explore how everyday moments help children feel loved, heard, and connected. They also discuss parenting guilt, digital distractions, modelling kindness, and why children don't need constant entertainment to feel that they belong. You'll discover how to: Reduce the pressure to be the perfect parent.Build stronger connections through ordinary family routines.Help children feel heard, valued, and understood.Recognize when screens and distractions are taking over family time.Model patience, kindness, and presence without another parenting checklist.Sometimes, the moments your children remember most are the ones you didn't plan. Listen to this episode of Parents of the Year with Andrew and Dr. Caroline and discover why slowing down might be one of the most meaningful things you can do for your family. Homework Activities These activities are based on Andrew and Dr. Caroline's conversation. They are practical ways to apply the episode's ideas, rather than formal assignments given by the hosts. Activity 1: The Five-Minute Listening Challenge Children often share long stories about things that seem small to adults. Andrew reminds us that listening communicates something important: your child matters. Try this: Give your child five minutes of undivided attention today. Put your phone away, make eye contact, and let them finish their story without rushing to respond. Reflect: Did your child seem more comfortable sharing when you weren't distracted? Activity 2: Find Connection in Ordinary Moments Dr. Caroline describes how an afternoon raking leaves became unexpectedly enjoyable. Nobody needed to plan an activity or make the afternoon special. Try this: Invite your child to join you during something you're already doing. It could be cooking dinner, grocery shopping, gardening, or walking the dog. Let the conversation happen naturally without turning the moment into a lesson. Reflect: Did spending time together feel easier without the pressure to entertain? Activity 3: Create One Screen-Free Family Moment Andrew and Dr. Caroline discuss how easily phones, television, and other devices can take attention away from family connection. Try this: Choose one part of your day to put devices aside. Share a meal, read together, sit outside, or simply enjoy some quiet time. You don't need to force a conversation. Give everyone room to join in when they're ready. Reflect: What changed when nobody was focused on a screen? Activity 4: Model the Person You Want Your Child to Become Dr. Caroline reminds listeners that children learn patience and kindness by watching how adults behave. Try this: Pay attention to one everyday interaction. Hold the door for someone, listen without interrupting, or respond patiently when something goes wrong. You don't need to announce what you're teaching. Let your actions demonstrate it. Reflect: What did your child see you practise today? Activity 5: Let Your Family Slow Down One of Dr. Caroline's favourite moments was an evening when the family simply sat together reading. Their daughter joined them without being asked. Try this: Leave some unscheduled time this week. Read, draw, have tea, or sit together. Allow your child to participate without pressure. Reflect: Did your family enjoy having time together without a plan? 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

    235. Are You Trying Too Hard to Be a Good Parent?

  3. Oct 21

    234. Why Does Everything Feel Too Much for Your Child?

    Does your child cover their ears when music plays, refuse certain clothes, or become overwhelmed by everyday sounds and smells? You might wonder whether to accommodate their sensory sensitivities or encourage them to push through. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline shares their experiences of living in a household with ADHD and sensory sensitivities. From Dr. Caroline's struggle with background noise to their daughters' reactions to food textures, smells, and physical touch, they explore how sensory overload affects everyday family life. They discuss the difference between sensory discomfort and anxiety, when accommodations are helpful, and when children need support building coping skills. Andrew also shares how he's learned to adjust his own habits without expecting the entire household to change. Discover practical ways to recognise sensory overload, reduce unnecessary stress, respect individual needs, and help children manage situations they can't always avoid. Listen now to learn how your family can make room for sensory needs while building confidence and independence. Homework Activities  These activities are drawn from Andrew and Dr. Caroline's conversation, with practical prompts added so listeners can try them at home. Activity 1: Create a Sensory Sensitivity Map Spend a few days observing when your child becomes uncomfortable with sounds, smells, textures, clothing, or touch. Notice whether reactions are stronger after school, during busy activities, or when they're tired. Try this: Ask your child, "Which part of your day feels the loudest, busiest, or most uncomfortable?" Activity 2: Make a Sensory Coping Kit Work together to choose tools that help. Dr. Caroline discusses headphones, distractions, and planning for recovery after demanding outings. Try this: Before grocery shopping, ask, "Would headphones help today, or would you prefer a shorter trip?" Activity 3: Practise Asking for Accommodations Andrew explains that he's more willing to adjust the music when someone explains they're having a difficult day rather than demanding that everything change. Try this: Practise saying, "The music feels too loud for me right now. Could we turn it down a little?" Activity 4: Plan for Sensory Recovery Dr. Caroline describes how a trip to the grocery store can use up a significant amount of a child's energy. Try this: After a noisy outing, leave room for a quiet activity before expecting homework, chores, or social interaction. Activity 5: Decide What Really Needs Practising Some sensory issues can be managed through simple adjustments, like buying comfortable socks or avoiding an unpleasant spoon. Other situations, including wearing appropriate clothing in cold weather, need more deliberate support. Try this: Choose one sensory difficulty and ask, "Does this affect safety or something my child needs to do regularly?" For essential activities, use gradual, child-led practice rather than forcing a child through severe distress. 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

    234. Why Does Everything Feel Too Much for Your Child?

  4. Oct 14

    233. Are You Preparing Your Kids for Life Without You?

    Are You Preparing Your Kids for Life Without You? Your child can get good grades, follow the rules, and still struggle with everyday responsibilities when they leave home. So, how do you prepare them for real life? In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline shares what they've learned watching their eldest daughter navigate her first weeks of independent living. From budgeting and meal planning to car maintenance, roommate conflicts, and difficult conversations, they're seeing which childhood lessons are paying off. They discuss why emotional regulation, problem-solving, and healthy boundaries matter long before adulthood. You'll also hear how small opportunities to make decisions, handle discomfort, and take responsibility can build lasting confidence. Whether your child is five or fifteen, this conversation offers practical ways to prepare them for greater independence without stepping in to solve every problem. Listen to discover how everyday parenting moments can help your child become a capable, confident young adult. Homework Ideas These activities are drawn from the experiences and parenting strategies Andrew and Dr. Caroline discuss in the episode. They're adapted into exercises parents can try at home. Activity 1: Let Your Child Solve One Problem Choose an age-appropriate problem your child can take responsibility for, from a missing school item to booking an appointment. Ask: "What's the problem? What options do you have? What do you think you should do?" Goal: Build problem-solving confidence without immediately providing the answer. Activity 2: Practise Speaking Up Encourage your child to make a request or ask a question independently. Younger children can ask a restaurant server for a takeaway container. Teens can make a phone call to arrange an appointment. Goal: Help children become comfortable communicating with adults and advocating for themselves. Activity 3: Practise a Difficult Conversation Choose a small disagreement and practise expressing different opinions respectfully. Encourage listening, acknowledging the other person's concerns, and looking for possible solutions. Goal: Develop healthy communication and conflict-resolution skills. Activity 4: Give Your Child One New Responsibility Have your child plan a meal, manage a small budget, organize their weekly schedule, or learn a household task. Give guidance when needed, but let them make manageable decisions. Goal: Strengthen planning, time management, and everyday responsibility. Activity 5: Make Room for Discomfort When your child experiences frustration or disappointment, acknowledge their feelings before offering solutions. Ask: "What might help you get through this?" Allow space for manageable discomfort while remaining available for support. Goal: Help children practise emotional regulation and tolerate everyday setbacks. 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

    233. Are You Preparing Your Kids for Life Without You?

  5. Oct 7

    232. Can You Find Yourself Again After Becoming a Parent?

    Can you remember the last time you did something simply because you loved it? Parenthood can slowly become a cycle of practices, appointments, work, meals, driving, and making sure everyone else has what they need. Somewhere inside all that responsibility, your own interests can become harder to recognize. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline talk with Amanda Alcorn, mother of seven and creator of The Embodied Mother, about what happens when parenting becomes a grind and your joy starts coming almost entirely through your children. Amanda shares the moment she realized she had spent years caring for everyone else while losing touch with herself. The conversation explores why changing your surroundings may not change how you live, how to identify what no longer feels right, why small experiments can help you rediscover what you enjoy, and how quiet time, nature, movement, and less time online can create space to reconnect with yourself. You do not need to move to Hawaii or completely reinvent your life. Sometimes the starting point is much smaller: noticing what drains you, remembering what once made you feel alive, and making room to try something different. If you've ever thought, “I don't even know what I enjoy anymore,” this conversation is worth hearing. About Amanda Alcorn Amanda Alcorn is the founder of Wild Uhane and a mother of seven living on Oʻahu. She helps women reconnect with themselves and rediscover joy through intentional living, movement, nature, and spiritual connection. Resources Email: amanda@wilduhane.com Website: www.wilduhane.com Programs: The Embodied Mother | The Embodied Life Book: Love & Manifestation for Your Wild Child – Available on Amazon Substack: Available through Wild Uhane Homework for Parents The “What Doesn't Feel Good?” Audit If you can't answer, “What brings me joy?” don't force it. Start with the easier question: What doesn't feel good anymore? Write down three parts of your current routine that consistently leave you depleted, resentful, disconnected, or rushed. Beside each one, ask: Does this actually need to stay this way? Choose one small adjustment to test this week. Five Minutes Without Input Amanda recommends beginning with just five minutes of quiet. No scrolling. No podcast. No email. No chores. Sit somewhere comfortable, follow your breathing, and notice what is happening in your body and mind. You don't need to accomplish anything during those five minutes. Rediscover Joy Through Experiments Don't wait until you suddenly remember your passion. Experiment. Write down five things you used to enjoy or have been curious about trying. Choose one this week. It could be riding a bike, gardening, painting, hiking, swimming, reading outside, dancing, baking, photography, woodworking, or something completely new. Afterward, ask: Did I want more of that? That answer is useful information. Put Your Phone Away for One Family Window Choose one predictable period each day when your phone is physically out of reach. Try dinner, the first 30 minutes after everyone gets home, a walk, or bedtime. Notice what happens when your attention isn't split between the people in front of you and everyone online. Ask the Question You've Been Avoiding Complete these sentences privately: I thought family life would feel like... Right now, it feels like... I wish we had more... I wish we had less... One thing I would change if I gave myself permission is... You don't need to make a huge decision after answering them. The goal is to get honest about the life you're currently living. 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

    232. Can You Find Yourself Again After Becoming a Parent?

  6. Sep 30

    231. Why Is My Teen Motivated at One School but Not Another?

    Why can a teen struggle with motivation in one school and suddenly thrive in another? Andrew and Dr. Caroline are joined by their daughter Willow for a candid conversation about her new high school experience and the surprising difference that autonomy, flexibility, and trust have made. After years of frustration with rigid schedules, sitting in classrooms for hours, being expected to learn one way, and waiting for everyone else to catch up, Willow is now learning at her own pace. She can choose where she works, seek help from teachers who explain things in ways that make sense to her, take breaks when she needs them, and move through coursework as quickly as she is able. The result? A teenager with ADHD who Dr. Caroline worried might struggle with this much independence is working ahead, asking for help, managing her responsibilities, and actually enjoying school. They also talk about why being trusted can change motivation, what happens when teenagers are given meaningful responsibility, finding the right learning environment, friendships without the usual school cliques, and Willow's experience navigating high school without social media. If you've ever wondered whether a child's lack of motivation might have something to do with the environment they're being asked to learn in, this conversation offers plenty to think about. Homework for Parents The Motivation Audit Think about one area where your teen repeatedly procrastinates, resists or needs reminders. Instead of starting with "How do I make them do it?", look at the conditions surrounding the task. Ask yourself: Where do they have choice?  Can they choose when, where or how they complete it? Where might the environment be getting in the way?  Are they hungry, restless, overwhelmed, bored or struggling with the way information is being presented? Are they being given responsibility or being closely managed?  Notice how often you remind, check, correct or direct. Then experiment with giving them ownership over one part of the task this week. Ask Your Teen What Helps Their Brain Learn Willow describes needing concepts explained in several different ways before they click. She also values being able to seek out teachers who communicate in a way that works for her. Try asking: "When something is hard to learn, what makes it easier for your brain to understand it?" Listen before suggesting solutions. Try One Week With Less Nagging Choose one responsibility your teen already knows how to complete. Agree on the expectation and deadline, then reduce the reminders. Watch what happens. This connects directly with Willow's story about cleaning the entire house, including her sister's chores, when nobody was around directing or nagging her. Make a "When Things Get Hard" Plan Don't wait until your teen is overwhelmed. Ask: "If school starts getting harder, what could you do?" Willow already identified her own options: attend more seminars, use subject resource centres, find a quiet study pod, ask more questions, study more before tests and ask her parents for help. 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

    231. Why Is My Teen Motivated at One School but Not Another?

  7. Sep 23

    230. How Do You Raise Kids Who Can Handle Problems Themselves?

    Are You Helping Your Kids Too Much? Watching your child struggle can make every parenting instinct scream, “Help them!” But sometimes the most useful thing a parent can do is wait. In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline talk candidly about watching their daughters become increasingly independent and how surprisingly difficult it can be to resist jumping in and fixing things. From overflowing sinks and flat tires to bank cards, student loans, schoolwork and household chores, they share what happens when parents give kids room to solve problems themselves. Dr. Caroline explains why independence can start much earlier than the teenage years. A toddler reaching for a toy, a child learning to make their bed or a teen dealing with a problem at school can all practise figuring out what to do before an adult steps in. You’ll also hear why independence still needs boundaries, how scaffolding can make responsibilities easier without doing them for your child, and why constant nagging can work against the autonomy parents are trying to build. If you’ve ever caught yourself fixing something your child could probably handle, this conversation may make you reconsider when to help, when to guide and when to simply get out of the way. Homework for Parents These exercises closely reflect what Andrew and Dr. Caroline discuss throughout the episode, particularly their emphasis on stepping back, boundaries, scaffolding and reducing friction. The Three Things Rule Before solving a manageable problem for your child, ask: “What are three things you’ve tried first?” Don’t immediately suggest the three things. Give your child time to generate possible solutions. Your homework: Try this once this week with a problem you would normally solve for them. The 10 Second Pause Notice what happens inside you when your child struggles. Before stepping in, wait ten seconds. Ask yourself: Are they unsafe, or am I uncomfortable watching them struggle? If they’re safe, give them another moment. Hand Over the Tools Look for one task you normally complete for your child that they could attempt themselves. Instead of doing it, provide what they need. The episode gives a great real-life version of this: Andrew’s daughter needed help, so he dropped off the tools and left her to handle the job. Reduce Friction Without Removing Responsibility Choose one responsibility your child regularly struggles to start. Make starting easier without completing the job. Dr. Caroline describes having the dog waste bags ready when Willow already had her jacket and shoes on. The responsibility remained Willow’s, but one barrier to getting started disappeared. Set the Boundary, Then Stop Nagging Pick one recurring responsibility. State: What needs to happen.What choice your child has.What happens if it isn’t completed.Then resist repeated reminders. Andrew and Dr. Caroline describe using this approach with dishwasher duties, where Willow has choice within a clear household boundary. 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

    230. How Do You Raise Kids Who Can Handle Problems Themselves?

  8. Sep 16

    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?
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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
    236
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Parents of the Year
  • Show Website
    Parents of the Year

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