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Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
The ODC Network, Heather Bouwman, and Kristina Boersma
31 episodes
1 month ago
In this uplifting episode, clinical social workers Heather and Kristina explore the transformative power of joy in parenting. They dive into how joy differs from happiness—while happiness can be fleeting, joy is an internal choice that nurtures fulfillment, contentment, and resilience. Heather and Kristina share how joy can be found in the small, everyday moments—like a child’s first steps or a shared moment of laughter—and how we can cultivate it through intentional presence and mindfulness....
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Parenting
Education,
Kids & Family,
Self-Improvement,
Health & Fitness,
Mental Health
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All content for Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood is the property of The ODC Network, Heather Bouwman, and Kristina Boersma and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this uplifting episode, clinical social workers Heather and Kristina explore the transformative power of joy in parenting. They dive into how joy differs from happiness—while happiness can be fleeting, joy is an internal choice that nurtures fulfillment, contentment, and resilience. Heather and Kristina share how joy can be found in the small, everyday moments—like a child’s first steps or a shared moment of laughter—and how we can cultivate it through intentional presence and mindfulness....
Show more...
Parenting
Education,
Kids & Family,
Self-Improvement,
Health & Fitness,
Mental Health
Episodes (20/31)
Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Finding Our Joy
In this uplifting episode, clinical social workers Heather and Kristina explore the transformative power of joy in parenting. They dive into how joy differs from happiness—while happiness can be fleeting, joy is an internal choice that nurtures fulfillment, contentment, and resilience. Heather and Kristina share how joy can be found in the small, everyday moments—like a child’s first steps or a shared moment of laughter—and how we can cultivate it through intentional presence and mindfulness....
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6 months ago
33 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Parental Self-Care
In this episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather dive deep into why self-care isn't a luxury for parents—it's a necessity for all parents to avoid burnout. With warmth and insight, they unpack the myths around parental selflessness and explain how prioritizing our well-being is essential to being the best parents we can be. From rediscovering hobbies and incorporating movement into our day, to setting healthy boundaries and leaning on community support, they share practical, rela...
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6 months ago
40 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Family vs. Child-Centered Home
In this episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather explore the dynamics of family-centered versus child-centered homes and why finding balance is key to a healthy family life. They explain how putting children at the center of the family can lead to anxiety, enmeshment, and unhealthy parent-child dynamics. Using the metaphor of the "family wheel," they illustrate how parents should be the hub, with children as the spokes, creating a stable foundation for everyone. The duo emphasize...
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6 months ago
40 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
More About Sleep
Clinical social workers Kristina and Heather revisit this topic of sleep with a strategy-filled and insightful conversation about why consistent sleep schedules are key for both kids and adults. They break down exactly how much sleep each age group needs—from the newborns who need 14-17 hours to the preschoolers getting 10-13 hours—and how natural light plays a big role in helping us all get the rest we need. Get ready for some practical (and easy!) tips on creating the perfect sleep environm...
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7 months ago
48 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Conflict - An Opportunity To Teach
In this heartwarming and insightful episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather explore the transformative power of conflict in preschool settings. They share how conflicts can be powerful learning opportunities, offering children a chance to develop essential skills like emotional regulation, communication, and problem-solving. Instead of seeing conflicts as problems to solve, they encourage a mindset shift—viewing these moments as chances to guide children in expressing their feel...
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7 months ago
38 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Anxiety In Children, Part 2 of 2
In this insightful episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather continue their deep-dive into the crucial topic of managing anxiety in children. With 30% of children experiencing an anxiety disorder by age 18—yet only 20% receiving treatment—Kristina and Heather discuss effective strategies to help kids cope. From cognitive behavioral therapy and medications to simple but powerful tools like sensory play and outdoor activities, they offer practical advice for parents. The episode enc...
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7 months ago
35 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Anxiety In Children, Part 1 of 2
In this first episode of a two-part series, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather dive deep into the rising concern of anxiety in children. They explore how the symptoms of anxiety often mirror other conditions like ADHD or depression, making it crucial for parents and caregivers to recognize the signs early. From physical symptoms to avoidance behaviors and explosive outbursts, the impact of untreated anxiety can be significant. Kristina and Heather stress the importance of early inte...
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7 months ago
29 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Parental Perfectionism
In this heartwarming episode, clinical social workers Heather and Kristina respond to a thoughtful question from a listener about the pressures of parental perfectionism. Together, they explore the impact of negative self-talk on parenting and offer practical strategies for managing disappointment while embracing our imperfections. They share the powerful reminder that making mistakes is part of being human and how these moments of misstep can help children learn empathy and resilience. They ...
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8 months ago
48 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Questions For Connection
Clinical social workers Kristina and Heather explore the power of asking the right questions to connect with your kids on a deeper level. They dive into the importance of open-ended questions—those that spark conversation, promote communication, and help avoid anxiety. From asking about their favorite outdoor activities to exploring their imaginative worlds, these conversations foster emotional bonds and build language skills. For older kids, Kristina and Heather offer strategies ...
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8 months ago
36 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
14 Things All Kids Need, Part 2 of 2
In this heartfelt episode, clinical social workers Heather and Kristina dive into the final seven out of 14 essential things children need to thrive. They explore the power of simplicity—how reducing material clutter can bring peace and the importance of affirming a child’s inherent goodness with daily expressions of love. They discuss the value of daily rhythms, providing security and predictability; creating a calm environment to nurture mental well-being; and cultivating compassion to help...
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8 months ago
35 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
14 Things All Kids Need, Part 1 of 2
In this heartwarming episode, Heather and Kristina share some favorite resources they’ve collected over the years as clinical social workers and passionate advocates for children’s wellbeing. In this first of two-part series, they introduce their list of the “14 Things All Kids Need More Of...” And guess what? They’re all FREE! They explore the profound benefits of unstructured play, the magic of sunlight, and the grounding power of nature. With warmth and insight, they discuss how hugs foste...
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8 months ago
43 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Body Safety
In this powerful episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather dive deep into the crucial topic of teaching children about body safety. They shed light on the alarming statistics from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, revealing that one in five girls and one in ten boys will experience sexual abuse before adulthood, with fewer than 35% of cases ever reported. Their conversation focuses on empowering kids to recognize "tricky people" and foster open lines of commu...
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9 months ago
46 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Teaching & Modeling Consent
In this episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather dive into the vital topic of teaching children about consent. They explore how fostering an understanding of boundaries, respect, and autonomy can empower kids to navigate their relationships with confidence. Through personal stories and real-life parenting examples, they highlight the importance of role-playing and modeling respectful behavior to help children learn how to ask for and give consent. Kristina and Heather also discus...
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9 months ago
37 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Grandparents
In this episode Heather and Kristina dive deep into the delicate dance between parents and grandparents. This conversation explores the emotional and practical challenges of navigating this complex family dynamic, from the deep joy of grandparent bonding to the tough moments of miscommunication and boundary-pushing. Did you know that half of parents are raising their kids the same way they were raised—with love and clear rules—while the other half focus more on love and relationships? F...
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9 months ago
33 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Mindfulness of Schedules
In this episode, Kristina and Heather dive into the art of managing our daily schedules while keeping life balanced and fulfilling. Drawing from their own experiences of juggling grad school, parenting, and all the chaos in between, they chat about the importance of creating space (aka margins) to avoid burnout. They share how hectic schedules can take a toll on sleep, relationships, and overall well-being, and offer tips on how to bring more mindfulness and intention into our routines. They ...
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9 months ago
33 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Sleep And Bedtime Routines
In this episode, clinical social workers Heather and Kristina dive into the all-too-common challenge of getting children to sleep and why establishing a consistent bedtime routine is key to better rest for everyone. Drawing from their personal experiences as moms, they share stories of their children's sleep struggles—Kristina recounting her daughter's battle with chronic ear infections and the harmful advice she received, and Heather reflecting on how sleep deprivation affects both kids and ...
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10 months ago
31 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Building Resilience In Our Kids
In this episode, Kristina and Heather dive into the powerful role frustration and disappointment play in building resilience in children. They explore the concept of the "wall of futility," where kids face tough moments that help them develop essential problem-solving and coping skills. Rather than rushing in to rescue, they discuss the importance of empathy and the value of allowing children to sit with their feelings. Sharing personal stories and practical strategies, Kristina and Heather o...
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10 months ago
51 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
A Few Simple Strategies
In this episode, clinical social workers Kristina and Heather unravel the art of managing children's emotional outbursts with a mix of expert insights, practical strategies, and a dash of humor. They explore how understanding our child’s brain development can shift our approach to discipline and guide us through moments of emotional intensity. Learn how to redirect focus from the emotional brain to the more rational frontal lobe with techniques like the "look up" method, and discover the powe...
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10 months ago
33 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Beginnings And Endings
Join clinical social workers Heather and Kristina, as they explore the profound impact of life’s transitions on us and our children. In this engaging conversation, they delve into the importance of honoring both beginnings and endings, with our children. They discuss ways parents can guide their kids through the emotional landscape of change, helping them navigate feelings of grief, gratitude, and excitement. Through heartfelt personal stories and practical strategies—like creating memory box...
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10 months ago
34 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
Discipline Series, Part 3 of 3
In the final episode of their 3-part series on Discipline, clinical social workers Heather and Kristina wrap things up with some practical, easy-to-apply strategies for parents. This time, they're focusing on the power of using an assertive voice in parenting. They emphasize the need for clear and direct communication—no room for questioning or extra politeness like "please" and "thank you" that can confuse kids. To help manage resistance, they introduce a simple three-step process: emp...
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10 months ago
32 minutes

Gear Up! Adventures In Parenthood
In this uplifting episode, clinical social workers Heather and Kristina explore the transformative power of joy in parenting. They dive into how joy differs from happiness—while happiness can be fleeting, joy is an internal choice that nurtures fulfillment, contentment, and resilience. Heather and Kristina share how joy can be found in the small, everyday moments—like a child’s first steps or a shared moment of laughter—and how we can cultivate it through intentional presence and mindfulness....