Parent Footprint With Dr. Dan

Dr. Dan welcomes Alison Morrow to today’s show to discuss homeschooling and her work as a  homeschool coach and founder of Goodschooling.net. Alison Morrow is a former classroom teacher and veteran homeschool mom of two. Alison and her husband Dan created Good Schooling to provide resources designed to empower, equip, and encourage those wanting to homeschool. Alison’s one-of-a-kind program gives parents important information about the homeschooling choice and also helps families transition to homeschooling. Alison explains to Dr. Dan that our own educational experiences as children influence the choices we make for our own children's educations, and discusses how homeschooling can help parents to create a better parenting footprint by increasing and deepening their connection with their children.   Alison’s interview reveals that what matters for all children is “Good Schooling” -- and the path to that is one parents can choose and shape and customize for their child. For many families the conventional schoo

Just in time for summer, Dr. Dan interviews Michelle Lang (swim instructor to the stars and so much more!) about swimming, water safety, empowered living, and much more in this timely interview. Did you know drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for kids ages 1-4? Did you also know drowning is -- in most cases -- totally preventable? Michelle Lang, author of the new book A MERMAID’S GUIDE: Empower Your Child in Water and in Life, tells Dr. Dan and the Parent Footprint podcast listeners how to keep children safe this summer (and anytime kids are around water).  Dr. Dan and Michelle discuss the Relaxation Based Swimming Method, the three phases of swimming, how to be a better swimmer at any age, Michelle’s Golden Rules, and the lessons swimming can teach us all about life and success. Michelle travels the globe teaching kids how to swim and has given over 10,000 swim lessons (including lessons to Kim Kardashian’s children as well as Simon Cowell’s and Sarah Michelle Geller’s!). Her tips and calm

Dr. Dan welcomes author and parenting expert Maureen Healy of Growing Happy Kids.com to discuss her new and inspiring book The Emotionally Healthy Child: Helping Your Child Calm, Center, and Make Smarter Choices. Growing up has never been easy, but today’s world presents kids and their parents with unprecedented challenges. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 25 percent of children experience anxiety and 14 percent have a mood disorder, and National Public Radio shared that as many as five million public school students have mental-emotional issues such as depression and anxiety. Today Dr. Dan talks to award-winning author and international speaker Maureen Healy about emotional health and much more.  In her book The Emotionally Healthy Child, Maureen Healy explains that emotional health is the ability identify emotions and to make better choices, even when feeling anger or another big emotion. She explains to Dr. Dan that the ability to — Stop, Calm, and Make a Smarter Choice — are key to exp

Dr. Dan is excited to speak to Joshua David Stein, a Dad and the editor-at-large at Fatherly.com. A prolific writer, Joshua David Stein is responsible for editorial initiatives across the company and serves as the host of The Fatherly Podcast. A popular children’s book author, Joshua David Stein’s writing has appeared in The Guardian, GQ, The New York Times, New York and many more publications.  Dr. Dan is thrilled to talk all things Dad, fathers, and even grandfathers with Joshua David Stein in episode 60. Fatherly’s mission is to empower men to raise great kids and lead more fulfilling adult lives. It’s the premiere destination for Dads today. From original video series and deep dive reports to podcasts and events, Fatherly offers original reporting, expert parenting advice, and hard-won insights into a challenging, but profoundly rewarding stage of life.  Dr. Dan and Joshua discuss:  What it means to be a modern father Dad Guilt (yes it exists!) Advice for Dads to be more present/involved with their child

Dr. Dan welcomes his friend and colleague Dr. Devon MacEachron on Episode 59. Dr. Devon’s lifelong work helps families as they navigate neurodiversity, learning, and education on their parenting journeys. Dr. Dan embraces Dr. Devon’s method of framing neurodiversity as a super-power (and not a weakness) and agrees this shift is life-changing for children and families. Recently, Dr. Devon’s inspiring video about neurodiversity went viral with over 26 millions views. As a parent of neurodiverse children herself and a specialist in twice-exceptional and gifted learners, Dr. Devon is a respected expert diagnostician who provides actionable game-plans to families to enable students to achieve their potential. Listen to Dr. Devon as she debunks neuromyths, shares some of her favorite blogs, gives her top three tips to parents of neurodiverse children, and talks about her own trial-and-error as a parent including her entertaining and poignant Parent Footprint Moment. Today Dr. Devon runs a thriving New York-based ps

Dr. Dan is very excited to welcome Laura Carlin to the Parent Footprint podcast today. Laura is the author of the new book CLUTTER-FREE PARENTING: MAKING SPACE IN YOUR HOME FOR THE MAGIC OF CHILDHOOD AND THE JOY OF PARENTHOOD and she inspired parents and families everywhere. Laura Carlin talks to Dr. Dan about the role that clearing clutter can play in parenting and in our children's lives. Laura explains her own childhood love of clutter-clearing and how clearing clutter can help raise confident, compassionate children who have the space to discover their passions, learn, grow, and have fun--undistracted by an endless stream of "things" they don't need and really don't want.  Today’s show will help parents get a jumpstart on spring cleaning while also bringing more love and joy into their homes right now. Laura tells Dr. Dan to start by asking “Is your home working for you or against you?” and this starting point will easily guide families. Laura shares a great lesson about how her own sister (and co-author

Dr. Dan welcomes author Natalie Silverstein to episode #57. Beyond the homework, screen-time, and endless activities, there are bigger challenges for modern parents: figuring out how to raise compassionate, generous, civic-minded children. In her new book SIMPLE ACTS: THE BUSY FAMILY’S GUIDE TO GIVING BACK , Natalie Silverstein offers hundreds of practical ideas for incorporating service and the spirit of giving into your family life. Today’s show (and Natalie’s book) is a call to action for all parents to model good values, teach volunteerism, and ultimately help those in need. Natalie Silverstein is the New York volunteer coordinator of Doing Good Together in New York City. She believes it’s never too early to get kids in the habit of service and Dr. Dan enthusiastically agrees!  In today’s interview, Dr. Dan and Natalie Silverstein discuss: Living your values Making service a priority Volunteering -- how we teach our children compassion by modeling it How to choose community-service options that are righ

Dr. Dan welcomes the authors of the new book series TERRIFIC TODDLERS today. Authors Carol Zeavin, MSEd, Med, and Rhona Silverbush, JD, give parents, educators and caregivers ways to help toddlers overcome their daily dramas including boo-boo's, sharing and saying bye-bye to mommy and daddy. Published by the American Psychological Association/Magination Press this series will help families struggling with the toddler years. The authors explain how they used groundbreaking research to craft age-appropriate stories that take into account the language level and comprehension level of a toddler. Dr. Dan focuses on how these books will empower parents because they all include a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” feature that provides parents with important guidelines for navigating these challenges and helping their toddlers understand their world. Dr. Dan leads the discussion with the two authors about these two titles -- Bye-Bye! In All Mine! The show ends like always with the Parent Footprint Moment question. Ca

Today’s episode of the Parent Footprint podcast with Dr. Dan will help families thrive in the midst of the tumultuous teen years. Guest Dr. Christa Santangelo is an author, a psychologist and an assistant clinical professor at the University of California-San Francisco and her new book will transform every family. In her decades of work, Dr. Santangelo has witnessed many relationships devastated by the emotional hurricane that teenagers can inflict on a family. Dr. Santangelo talks to Dr. Dan about ways to resolve teen-parent conflict and gives us all a new way to parent teens. Dr. Dan (a loving Dad to teens himself) emphasizes how parents must focus on their own emotions and triggers before they can successfully parent their teens. In her book A New Theory of Teenagers and on today’s episode, Dr. Santangelo shares with parents the advice, tips, support, and big-picture overview they need to see the teen years as an opportunity for growth and for positive relationship changes. Dr. Dan and Dr. Santangelo agree

Dr. Dan welcomes author of “the bible for social media” Kristin Johnson to today’s show to discuss teens, parents, manners and social media.  Kristin is a prize-winning writer, blogger, ghostwriting/creative writing consultant, screenwriter, and editor. Her new book AIN'T "U" GOT NO MANNERS is a go-to guide filled with secrets and common sense for surviving -- and thriving -- in our brave new digital world. Are you worried about your kids and teens on social media? What is good and bad about living an online life? What do we do when our kids are consumed by their digital life? And should parents be friends with their kids on social media? Kristin shares the story behind the book, practical advice (including etiquette tips) and more technology rules such as: Every child is different just like every family is different. Set rules that work for your child. Yes you can be “friends” with your child on social media.  But NEVER send “friend requests” to your kid’s online friends (unless you really know him or her) P

Dr. Dan welcomes organizing & productivity consultant, New York Times best-selling author, and expert speaker Julie Morgenstern (www.juliemorgenstern.com) to today’s episode to discuss her new book Time To Parent which teaches the ways parents can savor time with their children and their own time, too. https://www.juliemorgenstern.com/time-to-parent     Dr. Dan agrees with Julie that parents have struggled with the time equation for generations. In the age of extracurriculars, calendar alerts, and smartphones, the question of how to give your kids undivided attention—and still take care of yourself—looms larger than ever. During today’s discussion Dr. Dan and Julie talk about being present, setting intentions, connecting with your kids, and actionable strategies parents can do right now (with memorable acronyms) and many other topics. Julie’s Parent Footprint moment is about how she conquered her own fear with her daughter on a vacation and how that single lesson helped her parent well during the teen years.

Dr. Dan enthusiastically welcomes today’s guest Tosha Schore to talk about a crucial topic for parents and communities across the globe: Raising our boys. www.toshaschore.com Tosha Schore is a parent coach, speaker and co-author with Hand in Hand Parenting founder, Patty Wipfler, of Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges. Tosha is mom to three boys and an advocate for boys and their families worldwide. She is committed to creating lasting change in families and in the world by supporting parents to care for themselves, connect with their boys deeply, set limits lovingly, and play wildly. Tosha holds a BA in Women’s Studies & Language Studies from UCSC, an MA in Applied Linguistics from UCLA, and is a certified teacher and trainer of instructors in Parenting by Connection. Tosha's intense work with boys (along with her book) teaches parents effective ways to build healthy relationships with their boys. She lives by the philosophy that as parents and caregivers transition through

Dr. Dan welcomes back the inspiring educator, author, and co-founder of Challenge Success. Dr. Denise Pope for Episode 51. Today’s show focuses how to help your child find the right college match. This discussion is based Denise’s recent Challenge Success research and white paper on college admissions. This episode will help parents better navigate the college search and admission process with their child. In this episode, Dr. Dan and Denise have a provocative discussion about the complex college research, search and decision making process.  Denise’s research and paper shift the paradigm on the college selection journey and the result is a less stressful (and hopefully healthier and happier) experience for parents and children -- before, during and after college selection. Research reveals that #2 stressor for high school students today is applying to college (the #1 source of stress is overload). Happily, Denise’s work reveals in its largest finding that the key to success is not where you go to college but

Dr. Dan interviews husband and wife entrepreneurs and parents Gregg and Lori Ireland for Episode 50 in this inspiring episode about their organization Extraordinary Adventures which helps special needs adults work and live independently. http://www.extraordinaryventures.org/about-us/ Gregg and Lori Ireland are the couple who inspired and continue to help the growth of their non-profit organization, Extraordinary Ventures https://www.extraordinarypeoplefilm.com/). In 2007 Gregg and Lori faced the problem of what to do with their son, Vinnie, who has autism spectrum disorder “ASD” and would “age out” of the public school system and community resources. That’s when a group of like-minded-parents united to create employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.  Gregg and Lori join the podcast to discuss more about the organization, the documentary their son is featured in EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE FILM ( https://www.extraordinarypeoplefilm.com/ ), and how their own parenting experience and creative thinking wit

As a parent, Dr. Dan knows how important today’s discussion with expert and educator Charis Denison will be for all families: talking and communicating is the key to all relationships, especially relationships with our children and teens. Charis Denison has worked for two decades with a special focus on the topics parents and teens need to address most to have a positive relationship and effective communication. Recently her work was featured in Peggy Orenstein’s new book, Girls & Sex: Navigating the New and Complicated Landscape and she regularly lectures on this subject and many others.  Today Dr. Dan and Charis address many important and provocative topics including:   What are the most important issues our teens are facing today?   What is the most effective way to talk to teens about drug use?   What are kids’ concerns about sex and sexuality?   What are some ideas to help us impart our values to our kids?   What do most teens want from their parents during this time? And more. Charis Denison built her e

Today Dr. Dan welcomes Polo Tate, the author of DEEP DARK BLUE: A MEMOIR OF SURVIVAL (www.polotate.com). A warning to our listeners: today’stopic is not appropriate for young listeners and could be triggering for sexual assault survivors. Dr. Dan and Polo Tate discuss her memoir and her harrowing story of survival – of losing her sister at a young age (in a tragic horse riding accident) and as a sexual assault victim (twice) at the US Air Force Academy. Polo’s story is one of resilience and victory and her advice and advocacy is helping young men and women find their voices, speak out, and not just survive but thrive. In this episode, Dr. Dan and Polo discuss important and sensitive topics including: Sexual assault and PTSD Warning signs of a sexual predator   How writing can be a path to healing The importance of not letting others take your joy and trusting your inner voice And more (including Polo’s Parent Footprint moment) Polo Tate was born in Lansing, Michigan, where her family has deep ties to the comm

Today Dr. Dan welcomes Elaine Hall, founder of Inclusion from WithIn (I WIn)® and The Miracle Project®. Elaine Hall’s pioneering work with autism and special needs is changing the way the world perceives disability.  Elaine Hall is a pioneer in using inclusive theatre to connect with individuals with autism. When traditional therapies did not work for her son, diagnosed with autism as a toddler, she developed an innovative creative-based methodology (now evidence-based) to reach him.  Recognized worldwide, she has spoken at the United Nations, featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, on CNN, CBS, the Oprah Winfrey Network, received numerous honors, and profiled in the Emmy winning HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical. Her memoir, Now I See the Moon, was the official selection for World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations and her second book, Seven Keys to Unlock Autism is used as a text book at Brown University. Elaine has led training programs and neuro-diverse summer camps nationally

Dr. Dan interviews educator and expert Natasha Singh about a timely and important topic: Sexual Literacy. As founder of SexLitEd (Sexual Literacy Educator, www.sexlited.com) Natasha explains that while parents are the primary teachers about life that schools and society (including pop culture and social media) often are the main teachers for our children about gender, race, sexuality, and power. Natasha helps families, educators and children everywhere achieve sexual literacy -- a concept that is more important than ever as we raise our children to become happy and healthy adults in a complex world. Natasha Singh is a writer and sexual literacy educator who regularly teaches about consent, sexual ethics, effective communication, healthy relationships, the difference between porn and sex, undoing gender-role training, learning mindful masculinity and more. She partners with parents, teachers, and schools to create programing and curriculum that is responsive to student needs and helps families, too. She is a r

Dr. Dan welcomes Dr. Suanne Kowal-Connelly to discuss her new book Parenting Through Puberty: Mood Swings, Acne, and Growing Pains. They discuss other topics including parenting, teens and much more! https://www.healthpoweredbyyou.com/ Suanne Kowal-Connelly, MD, FAAP is a practicing pediatrician with more than 30 years’ experience. She serves as the Director of Pediatric Clinical Quality for the Long Island Federally Qualified Health Centers (LIFQHC) in Nassau County. Additionally, she works as the district physician in many of her local school districts and performs as a New York State trainer for child abuse and neglect. Dr. Dan and Dr. Kowal-Connelly discuss the more than 12 million children in the United States who fall into the 12-14-year-old age group that are either currently or soon to be experiencing puberty. PARENTING THROUGH PUBERTY is published with the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a vital new resource for all parents. In today’s episode Dr. Dan explores with Dr. Kowal-Connelly how going

Dr. Dan welcomes Stephanie O’Leary, Psy.D., clinical psychologist and author of PARENTING IN THE REAL WORLD to the show today. http://www.stephanieoleary.com Dr. O'Leary specializes in neuropsychology and a mom of two. She has been in practice for over a decade providing parents with her no-nonsense approach to navigating the daily grind while preparing kids for the challenges they will face in the real world. Dr. Dan discusses the book PARENTING IN THE REAL WORLD with Dr. O’Leary and both offer parenting advice including -- A simple road-map to help parents parent like a rock-star (even when they want to give up). A no-nonsense approach to help parents navigate the chaos of the daily grind. Strategies to help ditch the "mommy (or daddy) guilt" that only makes parenting harder. Easy ways to prepare your child for the challenges that exist out there in the real world all while rediscovering joy in parenting! The two also discuss how parents can strengthen the parent-child bond and the show ends with Dr. O’Lear