Is it naïve to be positive, or is it naïve to be negative?

This is the question surrounding the short video entitled “This is Water”, an audio from author David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech.  It’s backed up by meaningful and thought provoking video, reminding us to consider that if we view the world differently, we can change our own reality.  Cathy and Todd discuss the common “monotony” of an adult day, and how we can make choices to live a more beautiful life, and recognize that we are indeed smack dab in the middle of the “good old days”

Have your kids watched Star Wars yet?  Cathy and Todd discuss the appropriate age to watch this classic movie, and why you should talk to your kids about the plot and characters beforehand.  They also discuss their 5 year old’s recent restaurant meltdown, one of their favorite movie clips about “choice”, and why they love Andy Bernard from The Office.

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Sticks & Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me – is it true?  We think yes, and we think no.  Our friend’s daughter came home saddened by a classmate who said something mean – mom replied with, “words schmerds, don’t worry about it.”  And her daughter said, “But those words hurt me.”  We talk about the paradox of the importance and unimportance of words – they are powerful IF you give them significance. You may feel the initial pain of words, but do you integrate it as truth or do you let it go?

We also discuss the “syrup incident”- One of our daughters decided to make Cathy feel guilty about not buying syrup for the waffles.  Not the best way to start the day.  Did she accept the guilt? Listen to hear the story. Then we talk about the “worry box” and how it might benefit you and the rest of your family.  Did you love 80’s tv shows? Cathy and Todd share one of their favorite 80’s sitcom themes.

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In a blog by Jill Kirby titled “If This Is Average, Then I’ll Take It”  We discuss that in a “bell shaped” curve, most kids are academically average, yet very few parents are willing to accept this. We continue discussing how a kid might be average in the classroom, yet have other special gifts.  Could they be good enough? And is good enough something you can handle? It is our job as parents to nurture and help our children discover their own special talents and gifts.

We also discuss the continuous requests from certain listeners for Cathy to “lose her S%&*” and just be mad, mean, and negative.  Cathy tactfully defends her position on her view of the world.  Cathy and I both explain our approach to our podcast and why having “rose colored” glasses on most of the time might not be such a bad way to spend the day.

We also aim to bring ourselves as well as our listeners to be “in the know” regarding technology.  Did you know that most kids consider Facebook and email a communication vehicle of the past.  When did I become so old?

We end the show with our bad 80’s songs as well as an entry into the tournament of bad.

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Jason Collins comes out as the first openly gay current NBA star.  We discuss why this will help our culture to continue to evolve to be one of inclusiveness instead of one of exclusion.  We also talk how this will positively affect all young boys and girls who are gay now might be able to look at this situation and imagine possibilities of their own life that were otherwise more difficult to see.  We discuss Senator Rob Portman from Ohio changing his position on gay marriage after his son came out.  Cathy tells a story of some reformed skinheads that she saw on a follow up show of The Oprah Winfrey Show

I bring some information of why it might not matter where your kids go to college.  As parents, we labor over our kids studies on a daily basis.  I relay an interview I heard on NPR’s Planet Money where they interview Charles Wheelan author of Naked Statistics.  In it the author discusses why where you go to college may have less importance than originally thought.  This created a platform for Cathy and I to discuss other things we can focus on in addition to academics as well as what the definition of success might actually be.

Lastly- I tell a story over the weekend of how my two older daughters disappointed me and how I may have had as much responsibility as they did.

We also give our entries into the new segment- Bad 80’s songs as well as the Tournament of Bad

Todd

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The Butterfly Effect, you have heard of it right? What you do has ripples and effects others around the world. In the wake of the Boston Bombings, and all of the activities that have taken place since, it appears that there is no better display of the Butterfly Effect to be seen right now. Cathy and Todd talk about how teaching your children about this idea can lead them down the road to success and goodness.  The foundational components of goodness in children can be visualized through their emotional intelligence, self-awareness, compassion, appreciation of nature. That teaching begins at home.

Also on the show, have your children made you forget who you used to be?  This week Todd took his sister out to dinner for the first time in a good long while and it made him realize that his kids have unknowingly changed the relationship that he has with his birth family.  Have other parents out there had the same awareness?  What are some things that can be done to avoid the loss of relationship that you had before your children decided to show up?

They also give their two cents on the aftermath of the bombings in Boston and the non-stop news coverage that always accompanies these tragic events.  Are you somebody that is glued to the TV during these heartfelt times?  If so- do you have an awareness of how this may affect your children?  Cathy gives her perspective on how she talked to her 5, 8 and 10 year old.

Cathy is offering a virtual retreat focusing on The Beauty of NOW beginning April 29th. Click here for more info.

Finally, they discuss bad 80’s songs that we all listened to and we ask ourselves- why?

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Cathy and Todd follow up on last week’s ADHD discussion because they received some not-so-happy feedback from some listeners.  They address the fact that often times when a child is medicated, it can be a very difficult and well thought out decision, it’s not always thought of as a quick fix.  But in too many cases, it’s the first choice, and that’s where a new perspective or different options may make a difference.

They also take issue with a Colorado school that implemented a no running/yelling rule during recess on the play ground.  How is this possible?  Isn’t the whole point of recess to run, yell, and play?  No wonder children have issues with managing their own behavior in the classroom – they aren’t allowed to get their energy out during recess!

Todd pats himself on the back when he gives to a honorable charity, but it hasn’t always been an easy decision, he’s been conned into giving to false charities in the past.   But it’s not worth it to be cynical, we need to keep an open heart and mind.

Cathy and Todd announce the winners of the Tournament of Bad March Madness contest, and then finish by addressing one of their listeners questions about a sweet, but sometimes aggressive 7 year old.  Sometimes he’s just too rough, and mom doesn’t know how to handle it.

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Are there “alternative” ways to deal with ADHD other than popping a pill?  Cathy and Todd discuss the significant number of children that are diagnosed with ADHD (6.4 million children) and why 2/3 of them are given a prescription.

Todd recalls a recent experience where he witnessed a 40+ year old bully a 10 year old boy – he wishes he could have the moment back and do it differently.

Todd and Cathy face-off on the best way to “teach” their 10 year old daughter the social norm of introducing herself to others.

Cathy is offering “The Beauty of Now” virtual retreat“ just in time for Mother’s Day – give this gift to yourself.  Starts on April 29th. Click the link to find out more.

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Cathy and Todd talk about sibling rivalry, how it’s good “life practice”, and the differences between what’s normal and when it’s a good idea to interfere.

They also talk about family meetings and how to get everybody on the same page (before the kids tune you out).

Todd talks about Lisa Reagan‘s article titled “Why and How Do We Shift” (in Pathways to Family Wellness Magazine) where she shares four different ways to open up to personal transformation.

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You are not alone if you have shamed your kid this week. Why hide all of the truth? Let’s get it out in the open and talked freely about being shamed, because their is a good chance it happened to you. This week Cathy and Todd continue to talk about Brene Brown’s shame and vulnerability research.

They discuss 6 ways to NOT respond when someone shares something deep or shameful, why some friends are easier to share with, and why sharing your shame with someone you trust is the first step toward inner peace.  Plus if that isn’t enough, they  also share their own experiences with being shamed and sharing. Just because they host an amazing parenting show doesn’t mean they haven’t shared in your experiences.

Plus, wait for it…Todd talks about credit card roulette and happy-honking drivers.

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Are you worrying yourself sick? Is that even possible?

Cathy (with the support of Brene Brown) helps Todd through his continuous struggle over money, worry, & fear.  He’s frustrated with the amount of worry he’s carrying because it brings down his mood. He’s worrying about worrying and feeling bad about feeling bad.

In order for us to be good parents, we must figure out a way to be a good example of how to allow emotion- both positive and negative – to pass through us without judgment.  Some of the ideas that might help- expressing gratitude, staying in the moment, among many others.

The tournament of bad:

This week they discuss the differences of bedtime rituals.  The differences are glaring.  Does everybody have these differences?

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