Do your children ever drop embarrassing comments in public? Dr. Roger Smith uses the image of a private hedge to illustrate the difference between conversations appropriate for home and those suitable for the public square. This episode focuses on teaching children the crucial skill of discerning private versus public language and topics. Learn how to explain boundaries, context, and why certain jokes or lingo might be misunderstood outside of your family circle, helping your children avoid awkward situations and honor the family in public. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Life rarely goes according to plan—from travel delays to spilled orange juice. Dr. Roger Smith argues that flexibility is a vital skill for both parents and children. While the early years require control and rules, this episode explores how to shift your parenting style to train your kids to manage options, cope with disappointment, and adjust when the path changes. Learn to model emotional balance when things go wrong, teaching your child that mistakes are not moral failures and that the ability to flex is key to enjoying the journey of life. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Should your child get a smartphone? Dr. Roger Smith doesn't offer a simple yes or no, but instead provides crucial questions to help you make this difficult decision. This episode guides you to think about your child's long-term functional needs and whether those needs can be met without a smartphone. Most importantly, you'll learn to evaluate your child's capacity for self-imposed limits and the vital role of parental support systems in navigating the challenges of modern technology. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Children are naturally self-focused, but thankfulness is a skill that can be taught. Dr. Roger Smith shares a powerful family tradition—the "Birthday Blessing"—that trained his children to move from self-centeredness to generosity of spirit. Learn how to implement this simple practice where every family member shares what they value and appreciate about the birthday person. This exercise in expressing positive, specific words to people you can see is the perfect foundation for developing a lifelong attitude of gratitude that extends to all areas of life. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Tired of the whine? Dr. Roger Smith tackles this perpetual (but solvable!) problem in communication. This episode offers a direct, two-part strategy: First, stop whining yourself—listen to your own voice to ensure you aren't correcting your child with a whiny tone. Second, address the issue directly and consistently. Learn how to gently yet firmly request a "normal voice," reinforcing appropriate communication while refusing to reward the whine. Dr. Smith provides tips on how to identify the behavior for your child and correct it away from the heat of the moment for long-term success. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Do you wish your kids were better listeners? Dr. Roger Smith explains that listening is a skill that needs development, especially in the early years. This episode goes beyond simply giving instructions. Learn practical techniques to train your child's attention to detail, from creating "listening games" at public events to telling stories about themselves. Discover how to use their own name and the world around them as positive tools to develop this crucial life skill—making them more attuned to you and their environment. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Does a broken item immediately trigger your frustration? Dr. Roger Smith shares a personal story about a broken lamp to illustrate a vital parenting lesson: how to handle the emotional loss when things—or even relationships—break. Learn to separate the action from the child's motive, comfort your child (and yourself) through the grief of loss, and then focus on finding creative solutions. This episode gives you a framework for turning an accident into an opportunity for repair, teaching your children resilience and problem-solving skills that last a lifetime. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Did you know the way you touch your child profoundly affects their emotional health? Dr. Roger Smith explains that touch is one of the most powerful ways to fill a child's emotional tank, but warns that touch used only for anger or discipline can become powerfully negative. He shares a study that ranks different types of touch, revealing that a gentle hand on the head or face is often perceived as the most genuine sign of care and concern. Learn how to use deliberate, positive touch—from holding hands to a comforting head scratch—to continually express your sincere love for your children at every age. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Are your children good at noticing the world around them? Dr. Roger Smith shares a moment by a canal in Manchester to explain how you can train your kids to be observant detectives. Learn how to use everyday objects and environments—like a mysterious ring on a wall—to encourage curiosity, ask great questions, and piece together the story of their surroundings. Start with scavenger hunts and simple questions to give your children an important life skill: observation. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Should you travel with your children? Absolutely! Citing Mark Twain, Dr. Roger Smith explains that travel is the cure for bigotry and narrow-mindedness. Discover how exposing your children to different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life—whether through physical travel or imaginative journeys via books—helps them appreciate and love others. Learn how to teach your kids to look past differences in appearance, politics, or fashion to truly value people as they are. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Do your children need praise? Absolutely! Dr. Roger Smith shares the powerful principle: "Praise is to children as sun is to flowers." He breaks down the three keys to effective praise: it must be specific (focusing on character and effort, not just appearance), sincere (not manipulative), and delivered soon after the desired behavior. Learn how to praise well to help your child grow and blossom into their full potential. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Even in a two-parent home, parenting is tough! Dr. Roger Smith uses the illustration of a pair of scissors to show that both parents are essential, even when they approach problems from different angles. He argues that two parents are always better together, and neither perspective is wrong—both are needed to "cut" through the challenges of raising children. Learn why tending to your marriage—appreciating your spouse's unique strengths and fostering communication—is the most crucial part of being a good parent. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

The most effective leaders don't always stand in front. Dr. Roger Smith argues that true parental leadership means finding ways to walk behind your children, influencing them while giving them the space to grow. Discover how to foster curiosity and confidence by letting your kids take the physical lead on a hike or even run a simple errand alone, all while remaining engaged and creating a relationship where they choose to look back to you for guidance and safety, not control. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Does taking your kids to a restaurant stress you out? Dr. Roger Smith argues that difficult restaurant behavior is often a result of a lack of training, not rebellion. Learn how to prepare your children for public success by setting clear expectations before you go. This includes everything from reading the menu and talking to the server to understanding how their behavior impacts others. Start small, build their competence, and turn a stressful meal into a valuable life lesson. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Forgiveness is a difficult but vital lesson. Dr. Roger Smith emphasizes that parents must model and teach their children how to give, receive, and ask for forgiveness. Learn how to use small conflicts—like fighting over a toy—as opportunities to teach your child empathy. By guiding them to understand the other person's feelings and practice the specific components of a sincere apology, you equip them with an essential adult life skill for resolving conflict and redeeming challenging relationships. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Have you ever told your child their big idea isn't possible? Dr. Roger Smith shares the story of FedEx founder Fred Smith, whose groundbreaking business plan was dismissed by his college professors. He cautions parents against short-circuiting their children's dreams by focusing on obstacles instead of opportunities. Listen to the encouraging poem, "Can and Can't," and learn why your words should fan the flames of imagination and ambition, helping your child's "Can" win the race every time. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

When your child starts driving, how do you handle car access? Dr. Roger Smith shares a revolutionary family tradition he learned from a friend: making teenagers financially responsible for their miles. Discover how implementing a set cost per mile and involving teens in maintenance can teach crucial life skills—like budgeting, responsibility, and decision-making—long before they buy their own car. Get a plan ready before your oldest child reaches driving age! Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Does your child have an intense interest—whether it's airplanes, robotics, or gardening? Dr. Roger Smith argues that a child's passions, even if different from your own, are vital to nurture. Learn how to expose your child to their areas of interest, not just through books, but by connecting them with people who love those same things. These encounters will spark curiosity, expand their world, and enrich their learning far beyond the classroom. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

What tools are you using to train your children? Dr. Roger Smith argues that youth organizations and extracurriculars—from 4-H to community theatre—should be seen as curricular to a child's development. Learn how to evaluate these activities based on their core values and, most importantly, on your child's needs and the overall impact on your family. He also shares a personal lesson about the need for parents to sometimes say "no" to their own commitments to invest fully in a childhood that has an "expiration date." Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Do you know which two U.S. states are shaped like articles of clothing? In this episode, Dr. Roger Smith shares his love for maps and explains why they're more than just a way to get from point A to point B. Learn how introducing maps and geography to your kids can help them understand their place in the world, connect with family, and develop a sense of curiosity about different places and the people who live there. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com