Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker Dr. Meg Meeker

Are you going through the motions and focused on surviving the parenting productivity game? In this episode, author and pastor Kyle Idleman reveals the startling truth about why our way of parenting isn't working. Tune in to discover the importance of prioritizing connection over production.
TODAY’S GUEST:
Kyle Idleman, renowned for his thought-provoking insights and resilience, serves as the senior pastor at Southeast Christian Church, one of America's largest congregations. He is best known for his best-selling books, which have touched countless lives around the world. His passion has always centered around deepening understanding, encouraging inner growth, and fostering connections. He opens up about his personal journey, revealing how, despite being a driven productivity-focused professional, he rediscovered the importance of meaningful connections with family. His transformative experiences sparked compelling discussions that have inspired parents and adults alike.

EPISODE NOTES
In the hustle of daily life, parents often find themselves leaning towards productivity, sacrificing valuable connection time with their family. This tendency leads to a disconnection from loved ones. Learn how to consciously reorder your priorities, place the focus on forming deep, meaningful relationships rather than just ticking off the boxes on your to-do lists.
In this episode, you will be able to:

Examine why many choose to place a greater emphasis on productivity over forging meaningful ties.

Gain a deeper understanding of the tension between accomplishing tasks and establishing connections with your children.

Explore the driving factors that lead to a focus on results over cultivating connections.

Realize the necessity of consciously setting aside instance's to connect with your loved ones.

Understand the importance of creating balance and the courage to seek assistance with your parenting.



FROM THE PRODUCER
Dr. Meg just launched "Simple Discipline that Works," the ultimate course on discipline you'll ever need! If you enjoyed today's episode, kindly consider sharing it with a friend, and be sure to subscribe to remain consistently updated with our newest episodes.  

OUR SPONSOR
Skip trips to the grocery store and count on HelloFresh to make home cooking easy, fun, AND affordable – that’s why it’s America’s #1 meal kit!. Click here and use code 50drmeg for 50% off plus free shipping!


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In a world where childhood and adolescent suicide is an alarming concern, one mother's tragic loss drives her to become an advocate for mental health. This week Dr. Meg Meeker talks with Leslie Weirich about the loss of her son to suicide. Leslie debunks some myths about suicide and sheds light on the truth behind teen suicide prevention.
In this episode, you will be able to:

Gain insightful knowledge on the importance of proactive mental health awareness and its role in preventing youth suicides.

Understand the critical role mental health plays in preventing child & adolescent suicides and why it should be everyone's concern.

Appreciate the importance of instilling resilience in our children and how it shapes them for future challenges.


TODAY’S GUEST:
Leslie Weirich is a dedicated advocate for suicide prevention, sharing her powerful message for the past six years with teens, young adults, parents, and the military. Her journey began tragically when she lost her son Austin to suicide on September 10th, 2016, which also marks World Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day. She left her full-time job as a Financial Recruiter in 2020 to focus on nationwide speaking, emphasizing youth mental health, especially among young men, student athletes, and the military. Certified in various mental health programs, Leslie's advocacy includes record-breaking fundraising and keynote appearances at significant events. Connect with Leslie through her website at LesliesHope.org.
Suicide Prevention Resources
Help is available, speak with someone today!
Call or text 988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

FROM THE PRODUCER
Dr. Meg just launched "Simple Discipline that Works," the ultimate course on discipline you'll ever need! If you enjoyed today's episode, kindly consider sharing it with a friend, and be sure to subscribe to remain consistently updated with our newest episodes.  

OUR SPONSOR
Skip trips to the grocery store and count on HelloFresh to make home cooking easy, fun, AND affordable – that’s why it’s America’s #1 meal kit!. Click here and use code 50drmeg for 50% off plus free shipping!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to combat loneliness and foster meaningful friendships? Justin Whitmel Earley joins Dr. Meg Meeker this week to discuss the transformative power of friendship. Whether you're a parent seeking to create a supportive environment for your children or someone looking to prioritize meaningful connections in your own life, this conversation offers valuable insights and strategies. Don't miss out on this chance to confront and transform loneliness.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Confront the impact of pervasive, and sometimes hidden, loneliness 
Recognize the immutable strength of true companionships, along with the focused efforts necessary to nurture them
Realize the power of habits shaping personal health in three ways - mental, spiritual, and physical
Identify the potential that solid friendships can unleash, and the sustained commitment they demand

TODAY'S GUEST(S)
Justin Whitmel Earley is a writer, speaker, and lawyer. He is the author of the award-winning The Common Rule and Habits of the Household, though he spends most days running his business law practice. Through his writing and speaking, Justin empowers God's people to thrive through life-giving habits that form them in the love of God and neighbor. His latest book, Made for People, delves deep into the profound impact of friendship and offers transformative strategies to combat loneliness. He lives with his wife and four boys in Richmond, Virginia, and spends a lot of time around fires and porches with friends.

FROM THE PRODUCER
Dr. Meg just launched "Simple Discipline that Works," the ultimate course on discipline you'll ever need! If you enjoyed today's episode, kindly consider sharing it with a friend, and be sure to subscribe to remain consistently updated with our newest episodes.  

OUR SPONSOR
Skip trips to the grocery store and count on HelloFresh to make home cooking easy, fun, AND affordable – that’s why it’s America’s #1 meal kit!. Click here and use code 50drmeg for 50% off plus free shipping!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to create deeper and more impactful relationships with your kids? Join Dr. Meg Meeker in conversation with Andy Dooley—TikTok sensation, author, NFL Seattle Seahawks host, and father of four—as they explore interesting ways to nurture stronger parent-child bonds and cultivate lasting, meaningful connections.
Growing up in a religious family, Andy Dooley was accustomed to the principles of faith from an early age. His father, a pastor, and his mother, a devout believer, both instilled in him the importance of keeping God first. This early immersion in faith became a solid foundation for Andy, shaping his approach to life. When Andy started his own family, he was keen on fostering a deep connection with his children. The start of the pandemic brought a new challenge, but also a silver lining: more time with family. Andy turned this into an opportunity to create a nurturing environment, centered around faith and meaningful conversation.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

Prioritize devotion in your family to foster stronger bonds and unity.

Appreciate the necessity of attentive listening in forming and enhancing relationships.

Understand the significance of intertwining faith and active listening in order to deepen connections with children.

Grasp the relevance of integrating faith and listening skills in fostering stronger relationships with your children.



Our guest: 
Andy Dooley is dedicated to empowering today's families as a passionate leader, pastor, and fitness professional. He has been working with young people and families for over 18 years through sports, fitness, and ministry. A Men's Health contributor, he holds multiple fitness certifications with the International Sports Sciences Association. He is also the author of "Walk in Faith: 5-Minute Devotions for Teen Guys." Happily married to Tiffany, they are parents to four beautiful children: Hope, Skylee, Andy II, and Ava. They reside in Seattle, Washington. Click here to purchase his new book “Building a Family of Faith”.

A note from the producer:
Dr. Meg Meeker has recently introduced the resource titled "Simple Discipline that Works," the ultimate course on discipline you'll ever need! Discover this exceptional course along with other valuable resources at DrMegMeeker.com. If you enjoyed today's episode, kindly consider sharing it with a friend, and be sure to subscribe to remain consistently updated with our newest episodes.

A special thanks to our sponsors:
Skip trips to the grocery store and count on HelloFresh to make home cooking easy, fun, AND affordable – that’s why it’s America’s #1 meal kit!. Click here and use code 50drmeg for 50% off plus free shipping!

This episode is sponsored by K12-powered schools. With a track record of over twenty years, K12 stands as an accredited pioneer in online education, providing tuition-free learning guided by state-certified educators. Learn more here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're feeling frustrated and disconnected from your child's education, despite your efforts to engage and support them, then you are not alone! Many parents find that traditional schooling systems often fail to provide the personalized attention and emotional connection their children need to thrive academically and emotionally.
Join host Dr. Meg Meeker as she interviews Jennifer Pepito, a homeschooling veteran and mother of seven, who shares her insights on creating an enriching and safe educational environment. Discover the secrets to providing a developmentally appropriate and spiritually nourishing education for your children through homeschooling. 

ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Jennifer Pepito is the author of Mothering by the Book, host of the Restoration Home podcast, and the founder of The Peaceful Press. Jennifer is on a mission to help moms overcome fear and love their lives, and her homeschool curriculum empowers this through heroic stories, heartwarming poetry, and engaging life skills development. Her resources help create joyful memories among families, which leads to deeper connections and lasting relationships. Follow her on her social media accounts @thepeacefulpress or online @ thepeacefulpress.com.

FROM THE PRODUCER:
Thanks for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than 5 MILLION downloads! If you found today’s content helpful, please consider sharing it with another parent and subscribing to stay updated on future episodes. You can also visit DrMegMeeker.com for additional parenting resources and online courses.
Get social with Dr. Meg on YouTube, Facebook & Instagram @MegMeekerMD


SPONSORS:
Skip trips to the grocery store and count on HelloFresh to make home cooking easy, fun, AND affordable – that’s why it’s America’s #1 meal kit!. Click here and use code 50drmeg for 50% off plus free shipping!

This episode is sponsored by K12-powered schools. With a track record of over twenty years, K12 stands as an accredited pioneer in online education, providing tuition-free learning guided by state-certified educators. Learn more here.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 Should We Homeschool?
00:02:44 Changes in Homeschooling
00:05:10 Saving Childhood
00:06:51 Homeschooling and ADHD
00:10:27 Academics in Homeschooling
00:15:25 Using Playful Pioneers Resource
00:16:12 Resources for Math and Grammar
00:17:31 Combining Grade Levels
00:18:03 Homeschooling and College
00:19:23 Mothering by the Book
00:30:26 The Importance of More Time with Parents for Children with Behavior Disorders
00:31:22 The Benefits of Homeschooling in Building Attachment and Maturity
00:32:48 Connection Challenge for Building Attachment
00:33:57 Early Childhood Practices for Better Adult Regulation
00:35:50 Rebuilding Relationships with Teenagers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our Back to School series on the Parenting Great Kids podcast, Dr. Meg Meeker interviews Sarah Kimmel, a family tech expert, to discuss effective strategies for communicating internet safety with children. Sarah emphasizes the importance of implementing parental controls and filters on devices and apps to create a safer online environment for children. She suggests using multiple layers of protection, such as in-app controls and on-device control settings like Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link. Sarah also highlights the significance of ongoing communication between parents and children about potential risks and safe online practices. This episode is a must-listen for parents who want to gain practical strategies for keeping their children safe online. 
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

Discover the methods to safeguard your children in the digital world.

Unearth the best practices to effectively implement parental controls and filters.

Learn effective ways to engage in an open dialogue with your children about web safety.

Acquire up-to-date knowledge about the latest technology trends and potential online threats.

Understand the empowering influence of technology on children and parents when used responsibly.



The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:38 Teaching Children about Online Safety
00:03:07 Transition to Family Tech Expert
00:04:25 Platforms for Consuming Tech Information
00:08:20 Role of a Family Tech Expert
00:15:28 Protecting Children from Inappropriate Content
00:18:23 Preventing Stalking and Grooming of Girls
00:20:57 Online Gaming Safety
00:24:33 Layers of Protection
00:26:45 Importance of Conversations
00:31:16 Monitoring Social Media Activity
00:31:41 Parental Control Options
00:32:11 Positive Aspects of Parental Controls
00:32:29 Understanding and Implementing Technolog
00:33:29 Recap of Key Takeaways

ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Having spent over 20 years as an IT Manager, Sarah now dedicates her time to helping families understand and manage the technology in their homes through her podcast, tv appearances, YouTube channel and social platforms. 

SPONSORS:
Skip trips to the grocery store and count on HelloFresh to make home cooking easy, fun, AND affordable – that’s why it’s America’s #1 meal kit!. Click here and use code 50drmeg for 50% off plus free shipping!

This episode is sponsored by K12-powered schools. With a track record of over twenty years, K12 stands as an accredited pioneer in online education, providing tuition-free learning guided by state-certified educators. Learn more here.


FROM THE PRODUCER:
Thanks for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than 5 MILLION downloads! If you found today’s content helpful, please consider sharing it with another parent and subscribing to stay updated on future episodes. You can also visit DrMegMeeker.com for additional parenting resources and online courses.




Get social with Dr. Meg on YouTube, Facebook & Instagram @MegMeekerMD
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices