Join us on Parenting for Thought with host Emry Kettle as we dive into calm and effective communication strategies with marriage counselor and author Raffi Bilek. In this episode, Raffi discusses key principles from his book 'The Couple's Communication Handbook,' emphasizing the value of taking breaks, empathic dialogue, and separating exploration from resolution in discussions. Perfect for parents, couples, and anyone looking to improve their relationships. Tune in for practical advice and real-life examples!

00:00 The Importance of Timing in Communication

01:38 Effective Communication in Relationships

02:56 Handling Emotional Spikes in Parenting

05:36 The Myth of Never Going to Bed Angry

12:22 Empathic Dialogue: A Framework for Better Communication

19:09 Applying Communication Strategies Beyond Marriage

24:59 Balancing Emotions and Taking Breaks

32:57 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Find Raffi’s book here https://www.thecommunicationbook.com/

Connect with Emry here www.emrykettle.com

www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach

Today's guest on Parenting for Thought is Larissa, a childcare navigator, shares invaluable insights on choosing the right childcare options—be it a nanny, babysitter, or nursery. Larissa emphasizes the vital role of communication between parents and childcare providers to ensure the best care for children.

Tune in to learn practical advice on managing expectations, discussing key issues like food and behavior, and understanding the importance of aligning values. Larissa also talks about her book, 'Questions to Ask Prospective Child Care Settings and Child Minders,' packed with over 140 questions to help parents make informed decisions. Whether you're a seasoned parent or just starting this journey, this episode is a must-watch!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Childcare as a Third Parent

00:40 Meet Larissa: The Childcare Navigator

02:55 Finding the Right Childcare: Tips and Advice

04:48 The Value of In-Home Childcare

10:39 Balancing Childcare and Personal Values

23:14 Behavior Management and Childcare

29:20 The Importance of Communication

35:15 Resources for Parents

Connect with Larissa here:

https://www.thechildcarenavigator.com

Get Larissa’s book here:

https://thechildcarenavigator.com/product-details/product/ultimateguide

Connect with Emry here:

https://www.emrykettle.com

https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

In this episode of Parenting for Thought, host Emry Kettle, a Child Behavior Specialist, sits down with Dr. Anna Colton, a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience working with eating disorders. They explore how parents can help their children develop a balanced and confident relationship with food, reducing the risk of eating disorders. Dr. Colton shares insights from her new book, How to Talk to Children About Food, unpacks the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, explains the importance of food neutrality, and offers practical guidance for navigating conversations about food and setting supportive boundaries.

00:00 Introduction & Meet Dr. Anna Colton

02:30 Eating Disorders vs. Disordered Eating

06:55 Parenting & Food Conversations

20:17 Food Neutrality & Diet Culture’s Impact

30:05 Repairing Parenting Mistakes & Reducing Shame

41:26 Final Thoughts & Resources

More about Dr Anna:

https://www.dranna.co.uk/about

https://www.instagram.com/drannacolton/

Get the book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Talk-Children-About-Food/dp/1785120557

More about Emry

https://www.emrykettle.com

https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach

In this episode of Parenting for Thought, I’m joined by Rachel Mark, an acupuncturist and integrative health coach, to unpack how our nervous system handles stress. Rachel breaks down what "activation" really means—it’s not just about being obviously stressed—and shares relatable examples from daily life.

We chat about how the sympathetic (fight/flight) and parasympathetic (rest/digest) nervous systems work, why modern stress feels so overwhelming, and how our emotional responses (like anger!) are often misunderstood. Rachel shares practical tips for hitting pause and resetting your system, plus we explore neuroplasticity and how the patterns we picked up as kids can be rewired.

Come hang out with us for this inspiring, down-to-earth conversation about stress, emotions, and building a calmer, healthier life—for you and your kids.

Here’s the breakdown: 00:00 Activation & Stress (it’s not what you think!) 01:17 Intro to Parenting for Thought 02:09 Meet Rachel Mark 05:36 How the Nervous System Works 11:56 Fight/Flight vs. Rest/Digest 17:15 Real-Life Stress Responses 21:28 The Invisible Load of Moms 22:52 What a Healthy Nervous System Really Looks Like 25:38 Safe Ways to Express Emotions 30:21 Childhood Experiences & Nervous System Patterns 36:01 How to Rewire Your Stress Response 40:35 Stress-Busting Tips for Parents 43:42 Wrap-Up & Resources

Find and connect with Rachel here:

http://www.rachelmark.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/rachelmark.ca/

Website: https://www.rachelmark.ca/

Free quiz to find out how much stress is affecting your hormones:

https://www.rachelmark.ca/quiz

Free sleep meditation:

https://www.rachelmark.ca/sleep-meditation

$22 Reset to Ditch Stress and Recharge your Hormones:

https://www.rachelmark.ca/10DayReset

Find and connect with Emry here:

https://www.emrykettle.com

https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

In this heartfelt episode of 'Parenting for Thought,' we dive deep into the postpartum journey with Tiff D'Amico. Tiff shares her expertise on postpartum depression and personal experiences with loss. They discuss the societal pressures and systemic issues new parents face, especially in neurodivergent communities.

The conversation covers a range of critical topics, including the lack of postpartum support, the challenges of managing new motherhood, and the stigma around seeking help. Tiff also introduces the Fair Play system and offers practical advice for preparing for parenthood. Tune in for a raw and insightful discussion aimed at helping parents build a supportive community and ensuring the safety and well-being of their families.

Note: trigger warning for loss around the 32 minute mark.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Parenting for Thought

00:34 The Struggles of Postpartum Depression

02:07 Meet Tiff D'Amico: A Postpartum Strategist

03:23 Challenges Faced by Birthing Parents

07:33 The Lack of Postpartum Support

12:05 The Impact of Societal Expectations

18:58 The Reality of Birth and Parenting

21:57 Understanding Postpartum Depression

22:43 The Isolation of New Mothers

23:50 Fear of Change and Seeking Help

24:44 Financial Struggles and Support Systems

26:00 Establishing Equitable Family Systems

27:15 The Importance of Preparation

31:22 Recognizing Risk Factors

32:31 The Broken Healthcare System

34:26 Final Thoughts and Resources

Find and connect with Tiff here:

https://www.tiffdee.com/

Find and connect with Emry here:

https://www.emrykettle.com

https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

Join us on Parenting for Thought as I sit down with Maarit Grönroos, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist specializing in gender, sexual, and relationship diversities. In this episode, we explore the importance of parental support for LGBTQ+ teens and how acceptance goes beyond words. Hear valuable insights for parents on fostering an open, loving, and safe environment for their children to express their true selves. Don't miss this enriching conversation that bridges the generational gap and promotes understanding and emotional intelligence in the home.

00:00 Generational Shifts in Understanding Gender

00:59 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

02:08 Maarit Grönroos: Background and Expertise

02:35 Supporting Queer Teens: Personal Stories and Insights

03:58 Parenting Challenges and Emotional Intelligence

11:16 Acceptance and Values: A Personal Reflection

17:09 Practical Tips for Parents: Books, Art, and Conversations

25:24 Repairing Past Mistakes and Moving Forward

27:29 The Importance of Pronouns and Connection

29:10 Conclusion and Future Collaborations

Find Maarit Grönroos here:

https://www.instagram.com/coach_maarit_g/

Find Emry Kettle here:

https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

https://www.emrykettle.com/

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jason Dobbie, life coach and founder of Transformative Pathways. In this episode of Parenting for Thought, Jason shares his journey from being a professional chef to becoming a life coach, the impact of meditation on his life and parenting, and the importance of creating supportive spaces for men. Discover practical parenting tips, the significance of inner child work, and how calmness and self-awareness can transform your family dynamics.

00:00 Introduction: The Bedtime Struggle

01:53 Meet Jason Dobbie: From Chef to Life Coach

05:35 The Power of Meditation in Parenting

09:46 Breaking the Cycle: Parenting with Emotional Awareness

21:53 Inner Child Work and Forgiveness

31:32 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Find Jason Dobbie here:

https://www.transformativepathways.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/transformative__pathways/

Find Emry Kettle here:

https://www.emrykettle.com

https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

Host Emry Kettle, a child behavior specialist, introduces the 'Parenting for Thought' podcast, aiming to equip parents with knowledge for raising emotionally healthy children. Emry discusses the importance of understanding child development and addressing parents' confidence issues. Guest Kelsey Wesley, a confidence coach, shares her personal journey of overcoming facial differences and developing self-confidence. The conversation delves into the impact of parental self-confidence on raising confident children, emphasizing the need for parents to model healthy behaviors and engage in self-development. The episode highlights the significance of play, responding versus reacting, and maintaining a positive, self-accepting attitude. They conclude by acknowledging the necessity for more discussions on raising confident children, hinting at a part two.

Links 👇

Kelsey Wesley

Kelsey's Instagram

Emry Kettle

Emry's Instagram

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