Since the arrival of the pandemic, I have noticed as a mother and a teacher how anxiety within children and teens has increased significantly. Many parents are seeking ways to reduce anxiety levels in their children. So I decided I would reach out to Tiffany McCabe, a Social Worker and Art Psychotherapist who uses art therapy as a way of helping children, teens and adults manage their anxiety. If you or someone you care about is struggling with anxiety then you will want to listen to today’s episode of Awakened Parenting.

What can we do to promote understanding and acceptance in our children towards people from other religious backgrounds? Listen in as I speak with Dr. Brian Carwana, the Director of Encounter World Religions, who offers his expertise in suggesting we need to teach religious literacy in our schools. He also offers at-home tips for parents.

Recently I shared a picture of my 4 children on Facebook which I took after discovering them sitting around our fire pit talking and laughing. As I sat and listened to them share thoughts and dreams of their futures with each other, I had flashbacks of the things I had very consciously done to contribute to this cherished moment. In this episode, I share insight that I have gained over the years that not only fosters positive sibling relationships but contributes positively to parent-child relationships as well.

In this episode,  I invited a teen with a cell phone to share what she has come to discover about herself and cell phone usage. There is no right answer or do's and don'ts for all families when it comes to managing cell phones. Find out ways to mutually and harmoniously come to working agreements around cell phone usage for both children and parents, while at the same time, use cell phone struggles as a conduit for positive relationship building.

We have been living through a pandemic now for over a year and this, no doubt, has been a very challenging time for parents of children of all ages. In this episode, I invited Catherine Carpenko, a Registered Psychotherapist, to discuss ways we as parents (and grandparents) can not only survive, but thrive during these difficult times.  

In this episode, Jill talks with Marianne Breadner, a counsellor with over 35 years of experience supporting teens and their families with a speciality in the LGBTQ2+ communities.

Do you feel disconnected at times with your partner, especially since having children? Are you looking for ways to feel more connected in your relationship? Then be sure to listen in for tips on ways to stay connected now that you are parents.

Many moms build resentment towards their partners for their lack of sleep and many dads are not sure how to help or deemed ineffective in their help. Is this happening in your home? Then be sure to listen in.

Do you wonder if your child has a video game addiction? Or do you fear your child could become addicted if you don’t do something about it? What do parents of young children need to know about video gaming? No matter what the age of your child, you will want to listen to this episode of Awakened Parenting. 

Jill McPherson interviews Starr Sackstein, author of Assessment Hacking, 10 Ways to Go Gradeless In a Traditional Grades School. Listen to what happens when parents and teachers shift the way we have viewed and used traditional grading systems in order to avoid defeatism and poor self image in children and instead, foster meaningful and more student centred learning and assessment.

If you are a parent, talking about sex is important, and equally important is how we go about it. Be sure to listen to this week's episode of Awakened Parenting for great tips on talking to your kids about sex.

Is getting your kids to bed a constant battle? Or is keeping them in bed the challenge? Are you concerned they are not getting to bed soon enough? What time should your child's bedtime be?   In this episode, I interviewed Jenn Cerson, from Heartfelt Slumber, a trained sleep specialist. Listen in to an informative and inspiring conversation around our children, ourselves as parents, and sleep.

In this episode, a mother asks how to deal with her teenage girls who keep asking to see their friends during a lockdown. Listen in to find out my answer to this question.

If you struggle in knowing how to support your child in making decisions that involve their lives and their future no matter what their age, then you will want to listen in to this episode of Awakened Parenting. 

As our children grow up, one of the greatest challenges is knowing at what age can we allow them to do things without us. When do we back away and let them try on their own and even watch them fail? How do we manage our own anxiety around allowing them to grow up and letting go? Be sure to listen to this podcast for more insight on this topic.

This episode offers parents a new and peaceful way of looking at and managing disappointment. if you feel triggered when you see your child disappointed then you will want to listen in to discover what is really going on when you are upset by their disappointment. You will discover ways you can support yourself and then in turn, what you can do to support your child through disappointment.

This podcast offers new and innovative ways to address bullying. You will not only hear great tips for parents supporting children through a bullying experience but you will also hear helpful suggestions for parents to support themselves through this challenging situation.

Food is a huge aspect of parenting. As soon as our baby is born we have questions and concerns about the quantity of food, and the quality of food they are eating. There are often many questions about what our rules and traditions should be around food preparation and consumption.  Listen in to this week's podcast as I share some tips around fostering routines and a positive relationship for your family involving food.

When our teens are not doing what we want, it can feel so painful. As a mom, I have done my share of yelling at my kids in an attempt to get them to do what I think is best, but is yelling not effective. Maybe in the short term, it creates some desired changes but over the long term, it can leave our teens more frustrated, more destructive, and damage our relationships with them. What can we do instead? This episode offers parents ways to perceive their teen's challenging behaviours, strategies for more effective communication as well as an invitation to address their own emotions when parents feel triggered by their teens.

When children fight, the goal of many adults is to get them to stop fighting and decide on the consequences. Is that truly helpful over the long term? In this podcast, I offer parents steps to assisting your children through conflict as well as a few tips to keep it simple and keep you sane.