Educational environments for students with disabilities range from a complete denial of formal educational services to equal participation in all aspects of the education system. Educational experiences of students with disabilities fall into one of four categories: exclusion, segregation, integration and inclusive. (from the Alana Report) My guest today is director and filmmaker, Olivier Bernier, who among many attributes, is the dad to 6-year-old Emilio, who was born with Down Syndrome. In his work, he naturally wanted to document his son’s experience entering into school, only to find out that Emilio was being segregated from the general school population. This lead Olivier on a journey to advocate, and educate people on the importance of inclusion in schools for every child regardless of ability.  In his film, “Forget Me Not”, he looks at the way our kids are being taught, and how the outdated system isn’t set up to nurture and teach every child. He shares how inclusiveness is beneficial to ALL children and the research backs up that claim. If you or someone you know has a child that has learning differences, been segregated, or you aren’t getting the support you need, you will want to listen to this episode and watch, “Forget Me Not.” For Olivier’s The Alana Report – a summary of the evidence on inclusive education, developed by some of the foremost experts in the field. This report serves as a thorough and accessible primer on the topic of inclusion, you can download it from the Parent Toolbox. www.parent-toolbox.com About Olivier Bernier Award winning Director, Olivier Bernier lives and breathes to tell stories that explore the human condition. Part American, part Quebecois, Olivier is also the Co-Founder and Creative Director of the production company, Rota6 Films, specializing in documentary and commercial films. Olivier has had the honor of having many of his doc short films regularly screened at many festivals including the Montreal World Film Festival, DOCNYC, Big Sky, Bend Film Festival, Rooftop film series, Houston Worldfest, Walla Walla, and has had received Vimeo Staff Picks as well as been picked up for distribution by outlets such as The New Yorker, Uninterrupted, and Nowness amongst others. Along with his commercial work, Olivier continues to develop, produce and direct original content that aims to put a hyper focus on topics that can change the way we look at the world. Social Media: Website: https://www.forgetmenotdocumentary.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forgetmenotdocumentary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgetmenotdocumentary Twitter: https://twitter.com/fmndoc   Thanks for listening! For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading! READY FOR YOUR FAMILY CHECK UP CALL? If you’re feeling burnt out by bad behavior, worn down from constant battles and bickering and you’ve struggled to get the cooperation, respect and obedience you want from your kids, I’ve been there too. It might be time to learn new tools (that you’ve never been taught) to help you get your kids to listen to you, build teamwork, and grow the harmony in your home. https://parentingforconnection.as.me/Checkupcall FREE GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STRONG-WILLED KIDS: “How to Turn a NO into Cooperation” go to www.strongwilledkids.com About Robbin Robbin is a Certified Parent Coach, author, podcaster and speaker.  Robbin’s work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence. She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m sure you can guess that one of the top three issues causing conflict in families is technology. How much we use it, when, where, and on which devices and apps. The problem isn’t going away, but solutions are getting better and better! Meet Forest Bronzan who is the CEO at Digital Detox! Forest is clear that in no way is he or his company anti tech or social media but he wants to help people around the world (in over 80 countries!) have better phone-life balance and experience more of life - like, in real life! In this episode we talk about connection and how we can get back to being together and interacting in person. We also talk about how we, as parents, are modeling our use of technology for our kids and Forest’s site, Digital Detox has a scoring mechanism called The DORA Score™ that provides adults with a measurement of the impact technology has on their lives. Get your free score today and start improving your digital wellbeing. It’s a free self-assessment tool that shows you, without shame or judgement where you are and how you can improve your phone-life balance. Looking forward, Digital Detox will have a student version so your kids, grade 6 to 12, can see how they are consuming technology and how they can start connecting IRL! Get your free DORA Score™ at www.digitaldetox.com About Forest Bronzan Forest Bronzan is an entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and co-founder & CEO at Digital Detox, where he leads global initiatives for digital wellness. With a customer base in over 70 countries and a deep passion for improving the relationship society has with technology, Forest travels the world to better understand how technology impacts our lives. Social Media: Website: https://www.digitaldetox.com/ Forest Personal Website: https://www.forestbronzan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forestbronzan/   Thanks for listening! For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading! READY FOR YOUR FAMILY CHECK UP CALL? If you’re feeling burnt out by bad behavior, worn down from constant battles and bickering and you’ve struggled to get the cooperation, respect and obedience you want from your kids, I’ve been there too. It might be time to learn new tools (that you’ve never been taught) to help you get your kids to listen to you, build teamwork, and grow the harmony in your home. https://parentingforconnection.as.me/Checkupcall FREE GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STRONG-WILLED KIDS: “How to Turn a NO into Cooperation” go to www.strongwilledkids.com Leave a review I appreciate every bit of feedback to make this a value adding part of your day. Ratings and reviews from listeners not only help me improve, but also help others find me in their podcast app. If you have a minute, an honest review on iTunes goes a long way! Thank You!! About Robbin Robbin is a Certified Parent Coach, author, podcaster and speaker. She works with parents from all over the world to help them build more connection and find more joy and cooperation to their parenting. Robbin’s work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence. She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! Robbin’s award-winning podcast, Parenting our Future, is ranked in the top one percent of all podcasts globally. And she is recognized as one of the “Top Moms in Podcasting” by Podcast Magazine in 2020 & 2022.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might not think this episode is for you…but I PROMISE you, you will want to hear it! I am forever changed by this conversation with my guest, Chris Jankulovski. As I write these show notes, after our conversation, I’m vibrating with excitement, gratitude, inspiration and love. Chris has a very rare condition that (along with some teenage shenanigans), have caused him to have EIGHT near death experiences. He has gone from complaining about life, his condition, adversities, and limitations, to finding his purpose, and living a life of fulfillment, gratitude and joy. In this episode we talk about focusing on what you CAN control, versus what you CAN’T. In other words, embracing the fact that all you can control is your thoughts and actions, the rest…well, that is where acceptance comes in! I know it’s not that easy but, in a way, it can be that simple.  Chris and I talk about life, and parenthood and he shares what’s needed to live a deliberate life. These steps include: Stop running from life’s problems Have clarity of our true desires Embrace and notice that we are on autopilot most of the time and how important being intentional is Sprinkle in acceptance, hope, gratitude, and time to reflect and you have the recipe for a more fulfilling life. But let me tell you, there is so much more wisdom packed into this conversation. I am forever grateful and changed from it and I hope you are too! For Chris Jankulovski’s “The Top Ten Mistakes That Stop You from Living a Fulfilling Life”, you can download it from the Parent Toolbox. www.parent-toolbox.com About Chris Jankulovski Chris Jankulovski, Founder of Remote Staff, is the author of Near Death Lessons. Chris was able to transform his life from fear and self-doubt to empowerment, success and happiness and shares the secrets to becoming unstoppable. Social Media: Website: https://www.remotestaff.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjankulovski  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justkeepgoing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remotestaff/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUo1HlwPn47N4qhdQRooazg   Thanks for listening! For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading! READY FOR YOUR FAMILY CHECK UP CALL? If you’re feeling burnt out by bad behavior, worn down from constant battles and bickering and you’ve struggled to get the cooperation, respect and obedience you want from your kids, I’ve been there too. It might be time to learn new tools (that you’ve never been taught) to help you get your kids to listen to you, build teamwork, and grow the harmony in your home. https://parentingforconnection.as.me/Checkupcall FREE GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STRONG-WILLED KIDS: “How to Turn a NO into Cooperation” go to www.strongwilledkids.com About Robbin Robbin is a Certified Parent Coach, author, podcaster and speaker. Robbin’s work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence. She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! Robbin’s award-winning podcast, Parenting our Future, is ranked in the top one percent of all podcasts globally. And she is recognized as one of the “Top Moms in Podcasting” by Podcast Magazine in 2020 & 2022.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's no surprise that so many of us have been struggling with our mental health for all the reasons you already know. Growing up today is no joke and we are all navigating a generation of kids who have never not had a device, access to the internet or social media.  My guest is Dr. Deborah Offner, a child psychologist and author, provides valuable insights and strategies for parents and teachers. Our conversation highlights the importance of understanding children's perception of parental stress, the significance of parental involvement during the adolescent years, and the need for collaboration between parents and teachers. Additionally, the episode addresses the challenges faced by teachers, including secondary trauma and compassion fatigue, and emphasizes the role of teachers as first responders in children's lives. This episode is all about recognizing that we have been impacted and what we can do about it.  For Deborah’s parents cheat sheet for understanding and connecting with your teenager, “How Can I Talk with My Teenager?”- you can download it from the Parent Toolbox. www.parent-toolbox.com About Dr. Deborah Offner Dr. Deborah Offner is a clinical psychologist who has worked in schools and colleges as a counselor and educator for 25 years. Currently, she serves as Consulting Psychologist at Beacon Academy, a one-year, full-time preparatory program for students from low-income households in the Boston area who plan to attend independent day and boarding schools. Deborah’s first book, “Educators as First Responders: A Teacher’s Guide to Adolescent Development and Mental Health,” Is available now. Social Media: Website: www.deborahoffnerphd.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-offner-07a634148/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deboffnerphd/   Thanks for listening! For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading! READY FOR YOUR FAMILY CHECK UP CALL? If you’re feeling burnt out by bad behavior, worn down from constant battles and bickering and you’ve struggled to get the cooperation, respect and obedience you want from your kids, I’ve been there too. It might be time to learn new tools (that you’ve never been taught) to help you get your kids to listen to you, build teamwork, and grow the harmony in your home. https://parentingforconnection.as.me/Checkupcall FREE GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STRONG-WILLED KIDS: “How to Turn a NO into Cooperation” go to www.strongwilledkids.com About Robbin Robbin is a Certified Parent Coach, author, podcaster and speaker. Robbin’s work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence. She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! Robbin’s award-winning podcast, Parenting our Future, is ranked in the top one percent of all podcasts globally. And she is recognized as one of the “Top Moms in Podcasting” by Podcast Magazine in 2020 & 2022.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This interview blew my mind!! You are going to love it! And not only that, you’re going to want to share it with everyone you know! Cyber security expert, Maria-Kristina is my guest and not only does she have an impressive resume (worked at the Pentagon to name one), she is so fun to talk to! We are talking about how to protect your family from cyber criminals. Maria-Kristina breaks things down in a really simple to understand way which is one of the reasons I love her! We talk about the two main areas of risk to look out for, how to be the “Chief Information Officer” of your home, and what to do if you have been involved in a cyber security breach. In this episode, we talk about teaching our kids to have a “general scepticism”, to notice if they feel fear or shame when interacting online, and using those feelings as a red flag to alert them that something’s not right. It’s time to talk to our kids about ai and deep fakes because they are becoming more and more common and sophisticated. She also suggests that we use the “grocery store rule” in sharing personal information with others.  From the episode, the links we mentioned are below: Sextortion video: https://youtu.be/v5d9-zifXn4 Cyber Security Breach: www.haveibeenpwned.com Keeping your information out of the hands of criminals using Kanary: https://www.kanary.com/?outfoxm#sign-up (Get one month free with this link) Please share this episode with friends and family. You will save them from worry and stress that can absolutely be avoided. For Maria-Kristina's "Home Network Security 1-Pager", you can download it from the Parent Toolbox. www.parent-toolbox.com About Maria-Kristina Hayden Maria-Kristina is an internationally recognized expert in cyber hygiene and resiliency. Her mission is to raise global levels of cyber-risk awareness and enable organizations (and individuals) to take control back from cybercriminals. She has delivered security awareness sessions and wargames to over 15,000 people worldwide. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, author, and 2022 recipient of the Women in Technology Excellence “Security Leader of the Year” award. Maria-Kristina is CEO & founder of OUTFOXM INC, the world’s first boutique consulting firm advising Fortune 500 enterprises on immersive cyberattack simulations and human-cyber risk. In prior positions she led the Bank of New York Mellon’s Cyber Wargaming program, served as a Cyber Intelligence Officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), supported the U.S. military as an Air Force civilian at the Pentagon, and served as a Congressional researcher in the House of Representatives. She holds a Master’s degree in Cyber Intelligence from the National Intelligence University and a Bachelor’s degree in Security Studies from Georgetown. Social Media: Website: https://www.outfoxm.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outfoxm/ Facebook: @outfoxm Instagram: @outfoxm YouTube: @outfoxm About Robbin Robbin is a Certified Parent Coach, author, podcaster and speaker. Her work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence. She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! Robbin’s award-winning podcast, Parenting our Future, is ranked in the top one percent of all podcasts globally. And she is recognized as one of the “Top Moms in Podcasting” by Podcast Magazine in 2020 & 2022.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s pretty obvious that when your child has sleep issues, you take them to the dentist…right? Well, as counterintuitive as that might sound, it might be the one thing you never knew about that could literally change your life, and most importantly, your child’s!  Sleep is a HUGE issue for parents from the moment our kids are born all the way through the teen years. I talk to my clients frequently about sleep strategies for their kids who resist going to sleep, have regular pop ups, nightly wakings, and wake up too early in the morning. When your kids aren’t sleeping, nobody’s sleeping and that can spiral into parents being exhausted, irritable, and short tempered and for your kids, they can be dysregulated, unfocused, and much more challenging to parent. Perhaps one of the last things you’ll look at is the relationship between sleep and dentistry but there is a huge connection and seeing the right dentist can radically change the quality of your child’s sleep. My guest is Dr Meghna Dassani, who, in her Sleep Dentistry practice, is helping her young patients end their interrupted sleep, sleep apnea, and sleep disordered breathing. She and I have the most interesting conversation where we talk about how poor-quality sleep impacts health, behavior and IQ.  Did you know that sleep disorders show up with the same symptoms as ADHD? I had no idea! Asking for a sleep study will help you to see what’s really going on. Some things parents can look for as signs your child might have a sleep issue, are: ●     Snoring/audible breathing ●     Messy sleeper ●     Always tired in the morning ●     Bed wetting I hope you find this episode as eye opening as I did! For a free copy of the first chapter of Meghna’s book, The Tired Child, you can download it from the Parent Toolbox. www.parent-toolbox.com About Dr. Meghna Dassani Dr. Dassani is passionate about helping children achieve healthy sleep. In her Houston-area sleep dentistry practice, she helps her pediatric patients breathe better every day. Dr. Dassani has trained many other providers in pediatric sleep dentistry and is a frequent speaker at professional conferences.  A tireless advocate for children, she continues to research new methods to help her pediatric patients achieve healthy, restful sleep that allows them to learn and grow. Social Media: Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com/ Facebook Business: www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution Facebook Personal: www.facebook.com/drdassani Twitter: www.twitter.com/healthysleeprev Instagram: www.instagram.com/healthysleeprevolution LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/meghnadassani Thanks for listening! For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading! READY FOR YOUR FAMILY CHECK UP CALL? If you’re feeling burnt out by bad behavior, worn down from constant battles and bickering and you’ve struggled to get the cooperation, respect and obedience you want from your kids, I’ve been there too. It might be time to learn new tools (that you’ve never been taught) to help you get your kids to listen to you, build teamwork, and grow the harmony in your home. https://parentingforconnection.as.me/Checkupcall About Robbin Robbin is a Certified Parent Coach, author, podcaster and speaker. Her work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence. She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! Robbin’s award-winning podcast, Parenting our Future, is ranked in the top one percent of all podcasts globally. And she is recognized as one of the “Top Moms in Podcasting” by Podcast Magazine in 2020 & 2022.   FREE TRAINING (hosted by Robbin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want a boost of positivity, enthusiasm and encouragement, you have come to the right episode! I’m over the moon excited to introduce you to the three women behind, “I Believe in Me” which is a mentorship program for tween girls! We are hearing it more and more, that mental health in girls is declining because of multiple factors. When we can reach them during the adolescent years, and equip them with empowering messages, mindset tools, and strategies to handle difficult situations, it sets them up to move through these turbulent years with confidence and resilience! My guests, Katie, Becky and Allie are the masterminds behind “I Believe in Me” and these are the kind of mentors your daughter needs. In fact, what they are teaching girls are universal truths that they will take with them for the rest of their lives! Moms can learn a lot from their teachings as well! In this episode, we talk about how to grow, tend and maintain their “garden” through building self-esteem, positivity, understanding their emotions, sharing their unique gifts, building confidence and handling adversity. Their 4C’s to eliminating “weeds” are things we can all do and teach both our girls and boys! The 4 C’s are too good not to share here! Don’t Compare Don’t Complain Don’t Criticize Don’t Compete BRILLIANT!! For Becky, Katie and Allie’s “I believe in me”, Daily Routine builder with gratitude prompts and mantras, you can download it from the Parent Toolbox. www.parent-toolbox.com About I believe in me Becky, Katie and Allie Katie, Becky, and Allie are three moms who know what it's like to raise a family, with a total of 17 children between them. They're also successful businesswomen as co-founders of "I Believe in Me," an online mentoring program for tween girls. The program focuses on strengthening and protecting girls in today's uncertain and often destructive social climate. With backgrounds in business, health, and beauty, Katie, Becky, and Allie have the perfect combination of skills to mentor girls during this critical time in their lives. Katie is the CEO of Singers Company, which has been building confidence in little girls through singing and dancing for over 30 years. Becky is a fitness trainer and habits coach who empowers women of all ages with systems and strategies to organize their lives. Allie is a beauty business owner who is passionate about helping girls and women look and feel confident. Their unique mentoring program, "I Believe in Me," promotes self-motivation and resilience through a garden-themed approach. They guide girls as they cultivate their "Garden of Life," establishing daily routines, actions, and mindsets during their formative years. The program's tested "Grow and Share" living pattern teaches life tools and habits to protect against the rapid decline of mental health and happiness in tween girls ages 10-13. Katie, Becky and Allie believe that Strong Minds & Strong Hearts in Strong Girls can change the world. Social Media: Website: www.bloomfully.com/ibelieveinme LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomfully/ Facebook: ibelieveinme Instagram: @ibelieveinmegirls Thanks for listening! For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading! READY FOR YOUR FAMILY CHECK UP CALL? Book a free call with me here: https://parentingforconnection.as.me/Checkupcall FREE GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STRONG-WILLED KIDS: “How to Turn a NO into Cooperation” go to www.strongwilledkids.com About Robbin Robbin is a Certified Parent Coach, author, podcaster and speaker. Her work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence. She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! www.parentingforconnection.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I know the subject of racism makes many people uncomfortable; myself included. As a white woman, I am trying to better understand the history of racism in North America and how it has created our present reality. In this episode, I’m talking to David Mura, who is an accomplished writer and subject matter expert. He and I discuss what “whiteness” is and some of the roots of racism in America, that goes back as far as the 1800’s when social scientists declared “blackness” criminal. We talk about how access to land ownership was restricted to Caucasians by the federal government in the 1930’s, and post WWII, how medical myths are still prevalent in today’s doctor’s offices and hospitals. We also touch on Critical Race Theory, what it is and if it should be taught to our children.   David brings up the past in order for us to understand how it informs our present. He wants to enact change, not through shame and guilt, but through love and knowledge. Simply put, we want to teach our kids to have an open heart and mind when it comes to other cultures, and people of differing backgrounds and beliefs.  There can be no hate when we are curious and open. Can you challenge your beliefs, bias and thoughts? Curiosity and openness are what can pave the way for more understanding and less fear and hate. I hope you find this episode helpful as you navigate this complex issue with your children. For David’s  article, “How to Raise Anti-Racist Children” you can download it from the Parent Toolbox at www.parent-toolbox.com  About David Mura David Mura is an essayist, memoirist, novelist, poet, activist and teacher. His latest book is The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself: Racial Myths and Our American Narratives. A Sansei or third generation Japanese American, he has written two memoirs, Where the Body Meets Memory: An Odyssey of Race, Sexuality and Identity and Turning Japanese, an account of his year -long stay in Japan which was a NY Times Notable Book. He has written a book on race and creative writing, A Stranger’s Journey: Race, Identity and Narrative Craft in Writing. He co-produced, wrote and narrated the Emmy winning PBS documentary, Armed with Language, about the Military Intelligence Service Japanese American soldiers who served in the Pacific during WWII, many of whom were imprisoned with their families by the US government. Social Media: Website: www.davidmura.com b Blog: blog.davidmura.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mura-539a5b1a/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mura.71?ref=br_rs Instagram: @muradavid Twitter: @MuraDavid YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/davidmura   Thanks for listening! For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading! READY FOR YOUR FAMILY CHECK UP CALL? If you’re feeling burnt out by bad behavior, worn down from constant battles and bickering and you’ve struggled to get the cooperation, respect and obedience you want from your kids, I’ve been there too. It might be time to learn new tools (that you’ve never been taught) to help you get your kids to listen to you, build teamwork, and grow the harmony in your home. https://parentingforconnection.as.me/Checkupcall FREE GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STRONG-WILLED KIDS: “How to Turn a NO into Cooperation” go to www.strongwilledkids.com About Robbin Robbin is a Certified Parent Coach, author, podcaster and speaker. Her work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence. She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! Robbin’s award-winning podcast, Parenting our Future, is ranked in the top one percent of all podcasts globally. And she is recognized as one of the “Top Moms in Podcasting” by Podcast Magazine in 2020 & 2022.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices