Parent to Parent CTC of Greater Downingtown

Well you drank in high school, right? You smoked weed before, right? These questions are bound to come to you from your kids at some point, and what IS the best way to answer these? We are so happy to welcome back Beth Bruton from Holcomb Prevention to share with us ways to answer these questions honestly without “do as I say, not as I did” vibes. Beth shares how she had this conversation with her own kids and their reactions, plus Chrissie and Bethann share a funny story about the learning opportunities that abound in a tailgating parking lot. We also discuss balancing having the expectation of not using substances while also being a safe person for your child to call when they need help or if they do choose to use. Lastly, Beth shares her list of best tips from years of working in the prevention field. This is a very honest and relatable conversation with lots of laughs, join us!
 
Things we mentioned in this episode:
 
We have a great episode with Beth answering the question “Do all kids drink in high school?”
 
Beth and Chrissie were on a panel for a Power of Parents webinar event. 

Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation!
 
You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you!
 
Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!:
Instagram @downingtownctc 
Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw
LinkedIn: 
Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. 
 
Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE. 

Carol is BACK and she is sharing her wisdom with us yet again! Today we are talking about Red Flags–behaviors or other things you may notice in your child–and when to act. Carol shares the importance of waiting in some instances when you notice red flags so kids can first combat these challenges independently–and the value of this. We also discuss what to do at times when you need to step in, and how to tell the difference between concerning mood changes and those that may be normal tween and teen moodiness. Lastly we discuss how to “be an investigator” to figure out what these red flags are pointing to and Carol shares real life examples from parents and how things played out. Join us! 
 
Things we mentioned in this episode:
 
Chrissie mentioned the podcast episode with DASD parents from the Parent Groups. 
 
Carol mentioned our podcast episode with her. 
 
WAIT: Why Am I Talking
 
BUTT: Breath, Understand, Think, Talk
 
Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation!
 
You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you!
 
Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!:
Instagram @downingtownctc 
Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC 
Twitter @DowningtownCTC 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw
LinkedIn: 
Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. 
 
Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE. 

What if there was a place you can go to and talk about your parenting challenges and have other parents to nod along, give advice, and also have a seasoned professional there too to give expert guidance? Would you go? Well it DOES exist and it is CTC’s monthly  (FREE) Parent to Parent Building Connections groups. Today we are speaking with 4 Downingtown parents who are regular participants and they are sharing the impact these group meetings have had on their parenting and overall well being. They share about the magic of Carol (the expert facilitator), that no issue is too big or too small, and the benefits of hearing from other parents who are ahead of you. We also discuss top strategies learned, key phrases to use to problem solve with your kids, red flags to notice, and the community and friendships that have been built through these groups. This conversation is so uplifting and relatable and shows the positive impact of belonging to a community. Join us!

Things we mentioned in this episode:
 
We talked about the parent group facilitator Carol Rothera and our podcast episode with her. 
 
Chrissie mentioned the podcast Kelly Corrigan Wonders and the episode with Jen Hatmaker
 
Use your BUTT: Breath, Understand, Think, Talk
 
Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation!
 
You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you!
 
Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!:
Instagram @downingtownctc 
Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC 
Twitter @DowningtownCTC 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw
LinkedIn: 
Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. 
 
Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE. 

How can “soft skills” result in drug-free kids? Today we are speaking with Shannon DiCandilo from Compass Mark to talk about how social emotional learning skills are key to emotional health, academic success, and delaying and preventing underage drug and alcohol use. Shannon shares how these skills play out in real life for kids, current trends on what substances youth are using–AND how they are getting it. We also discuss the link between mental health challenges and substance use, the vaping prevention program Catch My Breath, and also what is “stealth vaping”?! Join us!

Things we mentioned in this episode:
 
We had two episodes with Selena from Caron about vaping: part one and part two. 
 
Jessica Lahey does instagram reels with information from her books. 
 
Xyalzine and fentanyl leading to increased drug overdoses. 
 
Compass Mark uses a public health approach to prevent substance misuse and problem gambling across Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester Counties, PA. We are expert guides on any journey to master new social & emotional skills and to lower risk factors for addiction. Shannon shared specifically about their program Catch My Breath for vaping and nicotine use prevention. 
 
Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation!
 
You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you!
 
Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!:
Instagram @downingtownctc 
Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC 
Twitter @DowningtownCTC 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw
LinkedIn: 
Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. 
 
Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE. 

Did you know most parents ALREADY have all the skills to parent their kids and teach them life skills? Dr. Don McCown, PhD, MSS, LSW, sits down with Bethann and Chrissie to share about his new (FREE!) online parenting program, Learning Life Skills Together. Don shares that all parents have four key skills that can support children to learn emotional life skills–paying attention, regulating emotion, tolerating distress, and clearly communicating–we just may need to practice these skills to build them up. They also discuss how a child’s resilience is based on the resiliency of their parents and how honing these skills is helpful to move through the world with more ease. Lastly, Don shares how awe and beauty, making things and belonging are invaluable to health and wellness. Also listen to learn Don’s 20 minute rule–join us!

Things we mentioned in this episode:
 
Don’s Online Program Learning Life Skills Together is FREE and available now to start using!
 
Chrissie mentioned the book Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace
 
Bethann mentioned the CDC’s report on the loneliness epidemic and the impact on health 
 
Don shares the national mental health crisis resource 988–it is free and 24/7 support–just dial 988 on your phone. 
 
CTC’s 3rd Annual Snowball Shuffle 5K Run/1 Mile Walk is Sat. March 2nd at Eagleview Town Center. Join us and bring the whole family! 
 
Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation!
 
You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you!
 
Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!:
Instagram @downingtownctc 
Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC 
Twitter @DowningtownCTC 
YouTube
LinkedIn
Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. 
 
Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE. 

SHOW NOTES
Does your kid say they hate school? This phrase usually appears at some point whether it be an overall dislike or a tough subject or assignment. Today we have Carol Rothera, LPC, with us to discuss what are the underlying causes of your child hating school. Carol shares how we as parents can be curious to figure out what is really going on and how to support kids to problem solve and overcome challenges. We discuss how to deal with avoidance as a coping strategy, setting expectations and family values around school, and managing low frustration tolerance. Carol has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, join us!

Things we mentioned in this episode:
 
The DASD Pennsylvania Youth Survey Data has info about commitment to school on page 42
 
Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation!
 
You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you!
 
Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!:
Instagram @downingtownctc 
Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC 
Twitter @DowningtownCTC 
YouTube
LinkedIn
Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. 
 
Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.