Best Gentleparenting Podcasts (2024)

1
Should I let my anxious child have a phone? 15:17

14m ago15:17

15:17

Hey, everyone. Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, where we tackle your pressing questions about child and teen anxiety. I'm Dawn Friedman, your host, with over 30 years of experience working with kids and families. In this week's episode, we'll confront a dilemma many parents face: should you let your anxious child have a phone? This questio…

1
What are some practical ways to address the academic pressures and expectations that contribute to my child's anxiety? 11:50

2d ago11:50

11:50

Welcome back to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, where we tackle listener questions about child and teen anxiety. I'm your host, Dawn Friedman, and with over three decades of experience working with kids and families, I aim to bring you practical advice and insights. As the school year kicks off, many parents are concerned about the academic pressure…

1
Do already anxious children struggle more with anxiety as they enter adolesence? 13:59

9d ago13:59

13:59

In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, we’re talking about whether already anxious kids struggle more with anxiety as they enter their teenage years. I’ll be sharing my experience working with kids and families for over 30 years and diving into the effects of hormone changes on anxiety. Join me for a casual, informative chat about child …

1
How can I create a bedtime routine that helps my anxious child feel more secure and comfortable? 8:55

24d ago8:55

8:55

Welcome back to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast! In this week's episode, we're diving into the world of bedtime routines for anxious children. I share insight to help parents create a bedtime routine that fosters a sense of security and comfort for their anxious children. From the essential steps of a bedtime routine to addressing potential pushback …

1
What are some tangible signs that my child's anxiety is impacting their sleep? 7:32

1M ago7:32

7:32

In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we talk about the tangible signs that a child's anxiety is impacting their sleep. Drawing from my extensive experience working with children and families, I explain how to recognize when anxiety is affecting a child's ability to sleep well. I also highlight the importance of addressing sleep issues alongsid…

1
How can I prioritize both my child's sleep needs and my own well-being as a parent without feeling guilty or overwhelmed? 10:19

1M ago10:19

10:19

This month, we're focusing on sleep, to coincide with the launch of my 6-week coaching program, Bedtime Navigator. Today's question addresses the challenge of prioritizing your child's sleep needs and your own well-being as a parent without feeling guilty or overwhelmed. We'll explore how guilt and overwhelm affect sleep, why consistency is crucial…

1
How do I know if my anxious child is having typical sleep struggles or something more serious? 8:42

2M ago8:42

8:42

In this episode of The Child Anxiety Back podcast, we dive into the topic of sleep and child anxiety. We address a common concern: how to distinguish between typical sleep struggles and something more serious. I emphasize the importance of recognizing the validity of a child's sleep struggles and discusses the strong link between child anxiety and …

1
What are some ways to set limits and consequences for my anxious child's behavior without causing shame or distress? 2 13:26

2M ago13:26

13:26

In this week's episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we continue to explore the delicate balance of setting limits and consequences for anxious children without causing shame or distress. Addressing feedback from previous episodes, I delve into the challenge of protecting both the anxious child and their family members from the natural consequences of …

1
What are some ways to set limits for my anxious child's behavior without causing shame or distress? 17:48

2M ago17:48

17:48

In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we challenge the notion of avoiding distress and emphasizes the importance of helping children learn to cope with discomfort, a fundamental tool in managing anxiety. We explore the difference between punishment and consequences, emphasizing the effectiveness of logical consequences in guiding children's dec…

1
I am super busy, how can I prioritize working on my child's anxiety? 13:21

2M ago13:21

13:21

This week's question is a common one: "I am super busy. How can I prioritize working on my child's anxiety?" In this episode, we'll explore the importance of addressing anxiety, finding the time to do so, and a unique program designed to work with busy parents. So, if you've been wondering how to make anxiety a priority in your family's busy schedu…

1
How can I help my anxious child understand their feelings of resentment and blame toward me as a parent? 11:41

2M ago11:41

11:41

In this week's episode we talk about helping anxious children understand their feelings of resentment and blame toward their parents. As children navigate the tumultuous teen years and battle with anxiety, it's natural for them to push back against their parents. We discuss the complexities of this issue, providing understanding and guidance for pa…

1
How can I manage the guilt and emotional struggles that come with parenting an anxious child? 11:39

3M ago11:39

11:39

In this episode, we talk about how guilt can hinder decision-making and the importance of moving forward despite feeling guilty. I emphasize the significance of setting boundaries, managing anger, and maintaining loving connections with our anxious children. Tune in to gain practical advice on navigating the complexities of parenting an anxious chi…

1
Ep. 230 Can you Trust Yourself? 5:52

3M ago5:52

5:52

This week let’s dive into one of my favorite topics. I always aimed to create an environment where my daughter could trust herself. But that became challenging when I wanted her to trust my experience, too. Like many of you, I have a lot of life experience, but making it the only truth made it hard for her to have her own experiences. Growing up wi…

1
What are some effective strategies to help my child when they engage in negative self-talk? 14:16

3M ago14:16

14:16

In this episode, we're getting into some solid strategies to help out kids dealing with negative self-talk. We tackle the challenges of the tween and early teen years, discuss the impact of social anxiety, and give parents some practical tips to support their anxious children.By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
What are some practical strategies for reorienting myself to a less anxious mindset so I can better support my child? 10:29

3M ago10:29

10:29

This week we talk about the importance of acknowledging and working through personal anxieties, and I share specific techniques to help parents manage their own worries while supporting their child's journey to coping with anxiety.

1
How can I identify specific areas to work on with my anxious child without overwhelming them? 12:32

3M ago12:32

12:32

This week I share insights on disrupting anxiety patterns, identifying manageable starting points, and honoring both parental and child capacities.By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
What do I do when I'm not enjoying my anxious child? 8:35

4M ago8:35

8:35

This is such a painful place to be! But pain can also be the motivation we need to revisit what we're doing and start doing something different! Mostly I want to reassure you that loving your kids doesn't mean you'll always love parenting those kids and that's ok.By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
How do I help my anxious child process their feelings? 11:28

4M ago11:28

11:28

You know what's hard about this one? Well, first not all anxious kids WANT to process their feelings and second sometimes processing their feelings gets them stuck. Learn more on this week's episode of The Child Anxiety FAQBy Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
Ep. 229 Summer is Almost Here! 5:06

4M ago5:06

5:06

As summer approaches, I can't help but feel nostalgic for the free, open summers of my childhood in Mississippi. 🌞 Back then, we'd hang out, ride our bikes, and our parents trusted us to be okay. Nowadays, times are different - with cell phones and constant tracking, there's a lot more structure and perhaps less freedom for kids. This summer, I'm c…

1
What did I do to cause my child's anxiety? 9:30

4M ago9:30

9:30

Spoiler alert -- you're not the cause but yes, you are the solution. Both things can be true! I talk about the fallacy that a child's diagnosis ALWAYS goes back to what the parents are doing. Nonsense!

1
Ep. 228 Shaming and Blaming 6:02

4M ago6:02

6:02

In this week's episode of Parenting Paused, I found myself reflecting on the different approaches to parenting I've seen and experienced. I noticed a backlash against gentle and conscious parenting, as if kindness to children prevents them from behaving appropriately. I believe these perceptions stem from the ways we were parented ourselves. I chos…

1
Is my anxiety causing my child's anxiety? 8:35

4M ago8:35

8:35

This question is less important than the asker thought it was and I use this episode to explain why. I also talk a little bit about why it's ok if two households are handling the anxiety diffrently (mostly because there's not necessarily anything we can do about it)!

1
What are some specific tips you have for parents of anxious teens? 9:50

5M ago9:50

9:50

Specifically? Help your teen get more sleep! It's my number one wish for ALL anxious kids and other humans! Learn more this week on The Child Anxiety FAQBy Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
Ep. 227 Overprotecting Your Child 5:39

4M ago5:39

5:39

This week on Parenting Paused I dive deep into the topic of overprotection. It's a parenting trait that's close to my heart and one I see many struggling with. Of course, you want your children to be safe, but are you shielding them too much? Are you preventing them from experiencing their feelings and thoughts, both good and bad, to avoid discomfo…

1
What can I do about my anxious child's low self esteem? 10:25

5M ago10:25

10:25

Poor self esteem is super common in child anxiety and no wonder -- anxiety upends our ability to do the things they want to do or that are expected of them. Let's talk about what we can do as loving, supportive parents.By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
Do you have any tips for an overwhelmed parent dealing with my child's anxiety? the child anxiety FAQ episode 96 8:49

5M ago8:49

8:49

I have several tips, mostly about finding new ways to consider what parenting an anxious child is supposed to be, which might help you feel less pressured to "fix" things.By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
Ep. 226 I Need you To 5:50

5M ago5:50

5:50

Reflecting on our role as parents, we often express our needs to our children without realizing the pressure we put on them. This week, try flipping the script: instead of projecting your needs onto them. Ask your kids what they need. Understanding their needs can shift your relationships with them, reduce stress, and promote their own love and car…

1
How do I know if my anxious child is just being manipulative? 12:42

5M ago12:42

12:42

We interrogate this whole idea of manipulation, look at child development, and talk about better ways to consider the situation.By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
Ep. 225 What Happened to Your Mojo? 5:52

5M ago5:52

5:52

On this episode of our Parenting Pause podcast, I share my experiences and wisdom about losing my mojo! I dig deep into the challenges of parenting, the unrealistic expectations we often have, and the importance of treating ourselves with kindness. Remember, you are not expected to be a supernatural parent, but a human one who sometimes loses your …

1
How can a parent deal with acting out behaviors in their anxious child? 12:59

6M ago12:59

12:59

A parent contacted me about an 8-year old whose separation anxiety means their child meltsdown every time she tries to leave the house. We talk about what we need to know and give a brief overview on how what we're doing might unintentionally be encouraging meltdowns (and what to do instead).By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
Ep. 224 The Root of Behavior 6:00

6M ago6:00

6:00

Join me on my latest episode of Parenting Paused where I dive deep into understanding your children's behavior. I encourage you to question common advice and seek to understand the root causes of behaviors such as hitting. The goal? To parent from your internal wisdom, not just expert advice. Don't miss out on this insightful episode! #ParentingPau…

1
Homeschool made my child's social anxiety worse. Now what? 8:49

6M ago8:49

8:49

Because there was so little detail offered in this question it gave me the chance to explain what we need to know and why we need to know it to hopefully offer some ideas about next steps for listeners.By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
Ep. 223 My Kid Always...... 5:02

6M ago5:02

5:02

Discover the ever-changing nature of your children in this week's ParentingPause podcast. I delve into the challenges of getting 'stuck' in one perspective and how to broaden your vision to embrace all sides of your children's behavior. Just as spring brings constant change, so do your children. Tune in to explore how to navigate these changes and …

1
Is social anxiety disorder caused by trauma and bullying? 12:09

6M ago12:09

12:09

By Dawn Friedman MSEd

1
Ep. 222 If Only... 6:00

6M ago6:00

6:00

Discover the profound preciousness in every moment of your parenting journey. Even when reality differs from our expectations or when challenges arise, remember that each experience has a unique, inherent value. It's not always about getting it 'right' or making things 'better'. Sometimes, it's about sitting in the present, acknowledging the full s…

8M ago6:40

6:40

Are you feeling discomfort in your parenting journey? It's natural to want things to go well and to feel comfortable, but I found avoiding discomfort as a method for parenting led to a disconnect between my aspirations as a mom and my actual methods. Parenting involves both challenge and support, and it's important to embrace all experiences, not j…

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