Best PA Parent and Family Alliance Podcasts (2024)

1
Who has time to be bored? 30:27

5h ago30:27

30:27

How many times have you heard, "I'm bored" already this summer? If Perl or Tracy hear that phrase again they may just blow their tops. This week our ladies share how they're managing to keep everyone in their family on track and having fun during the dog days of summer. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and ment…

1
What happens after high school? 34:01

1M ago34:01

34:01

One day they're toddlers and getting into everything and the next they're teens who you only see when they emerge to visit the fridge. They grow up so fast that it's never too early to start thinking about what's going to happen once they leave high school. Join Chrissy, Tracy, Perl and Christina to talk about what you should think about now, befor…

1
A funny thing happened 26:16

2M ago26:16

26:16

This week we completely forget our planned topic and instead ended up talking about our summer plans compared to our Gen X and Millennial childhoods. From formerly fully stocked fridges to drinking out of the hose, this behind the scenes episode let's you see what happens before we hit record. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the chaos as we take you…

1
What mom's really want for Mother's Day 27:24

2M ago27:24

27:24

This week our moms talk about the challenges and mental load that comes with motherhood. It takes a team to help raise a child who has a mental health challenge and that team includes not only family but bosses and coworkers and the community. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA …

1
Why Is My Child Behaving This Way? 30:02

3M ago30:02

30:02

Did you know a child with ADHD may have trouble falling or staying asleep? Did you know that children with physical disabilities can have mental health challenges too? Join Tracy, Perl and Christina to talk about some of the surprising things they've learned as parents of children with mental health challenges and bust some of the myths you may hav…

1
So many fights 36:02

3M ago36:02

36:02

For parents raising children with behavior and mental health (and other) challenges it feels like we spend so much time fighting. Fighting our insurance company to provide the treatments our children need. Fighting the school to help our children. Fighting the doctors to actually listen to all of our child's symptoms and what we've already tried. S…

1
Can my child say no to mental health treatment 27:23

3M ago27:23

27:23

This week we have a full house to talk about PA's law regarding mental health consent. So many parents reach out to ask if their children can refuse mental health treatment once they turn 14. The answer to that is an emphatic No. Act 65 of 2020 allows children to consent to mental health treatment on their own once they turn 14 but it definitely do…

1
Parental Guilt 40:14

4M ago40:14

40:14

If you've ever lost it because you had to ask your child 14 times to bring their laundry down from their room or felt like a bad parent because you medicated your child or didn't medicate your child, you're not alone. As parents of children with mental health or behavioral challenges we can find a lot to beat ourselves up over. Join Melissa, Tracy …

1
No break for you! 25:30

4M ago25:30

25:30

It school break and while our kiddos may be thrilled as working parents break time means double duty for us. If you feel like your world is absolute chaos you're not alone! Join Chrissy, Jill, Melissa and Christina as we wade through the sea of anarchy together. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental healt…

1
Why doesn't my insurance cover what my child needs 20:53

4M ago20:53

20:53

It's not unusual for parents to be told that their health insurance won't pay for their child's mental health treatment. That can leave a parent in a tough spot trying to cover the costs out of pocket or even worse forgoing the necessary treatment. No need to panic! Today we're talking about how you can get insurance that will cover the therapies y…

1
There's no upside to organizing 32:57

5M ago32:57

32:57

Children come with so much stuff! We're tempted to organize but one Parent Alliance team member has a good reason to not get organized. This week we share some tips on organizing, ideas for helping your child break down large tasks and a surprising downside and we chat a bit about chores. Have a topic you want us to address? Reach out to us at cont…

1
Why is this happening? 38:51

5M ago38:51

38:51

When your child suddenly starts acting out at school it can really throw you for a loop. The goal is to figure out what's going on and get them back on track as quickly as possible but the process is so slow. Additionally it really takes a toll on us, a parents. We question everything we're doing. This week we unpack not only ideas on how to help o…

1
Are we babying our children too much? 32:48

5M ago32:48

32:48

We're never quite sure if we're doing too much or too little for our children. When you're raising a child with a mental health challenge it's even harder to know. Join us for this week's episode when Tracy, Chrissy and Christina share tips they've learned for walking that line between helicopter parent and hands off parenting. We'd love to hear wh…

1
Parenting Curveballs: Real Talk on Picky Eating & Sensory Challenges!

5M ago

—

In this episode of This Is Not What I Was Expecting we dive into the challenges of parenting that you won't find addressed in parenting books. From food challenges to sensory processing disorders, we discuss our children's struggles and share our experiences. Tune in to hear our tips and advice for navigating these all to frequent tricky situations…

1
Winter blues 19:24

6M ago19:24

19:24

Sometimes we wonder if anyone understands just how hard it is ... to be a parent, to be a parent of a child with a mental health challenge, to BE the child with the mental health challenge. Join Melissa, Tracy and Christina to check in and and chat about how this time of the year can be a little disheartening. For one on one support at no cost to p…

1
Managing your relationship with your adult children 25:11

6M ago25:11

25:11

The Parent Alliance offers one on one support to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges no matter their age! Yes, you can give us a call and talk to a Family Support Partner at no cost even if your child is over 18 because, we get it. Our job as parent doesn't end just because our child becomes a legal adult. For one on one …

1
Extended School Year services (ESY): Why you need to plan for the summer now 30:09

6M ago30:09

30:09

As always the team at PaTTAN has excellent resources to help us understand this service. Check them out here: https://www.pattan.net/publications/teachers-desk-reference-extended-school-year-esy/ https://www.pattan.net/videos/extended-school-year-esy/ Questions an IEP team could consider regarding the need for ESY: Documented problems with working …

1
How do I keep my kiddos busy over the holidays 30:10

7M ago30:10

30:10

The holiday break has started and we're already out of things to do to keep our kiddos busy! We're looking for any ideas we can find to avoid hearing the dreaded "I'm bored." Join us as we troubleshoot ideas and inspiration to help everyone enjoy winter break. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health …

1
What I wish my family knew about my kiddo (holiday edition) 17:59

8M ago17:59

17:59

When you're raising a child who struggles with their behavior or mental health, changes in schedules, large noisy events and activities with lots of pressure are ticking timebombs. Unfortunately all those things come together to make the holiday season the most joyful and hectic time of the year. Join our team as we talk about some of the challenge…

1
Holiday mishaps 36:49

8M ago36:49

36:49

In the real world the holidays don't always go as planned. In the moment things can feel like a disaster but so often looking back they're some of our favorite memories. In today's podcast the Parent Alliance team shares some of their favorite mishaps and ideas for managing those holiday expectations. Help your child prepare for holiday socializati…

1
Tough conversations 42:06

8M ago42:06

42:06

It's never easy to talk with your child about topics that are scary, awkward or safety focused. But when your child has anxiety, depression or any mental health challenge you, as a parent, can feel like you're walking a tightrope between giving them the information they need and not needlessly upsetting them. Join Melissa, Perl and Chrissy to hear …

1
It's so nice when we can get together 36:37

9M ago36:37

36:37

This fall the Parent Alliance team held a youth, young adult and parents conference. We learned so much we wanted to share the highlights with those who couldn't make it. Join us to catch up without having to leave your house. We won't be posting next week since it's Thanksgiving but we hope you have a nice day filled with love and peace. For one o…

1
It's beginning to look a lot like stress season 32:31

9M ago32:31

32:31

We shared the Parent Alliance's tip sheet for Understanding your Child's Social Battery: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/understanding-social-batteries We're always here to provide one on one parent peer support to parents living in PA at no cost: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help For one on one support at no cost …

1
So much anxiety 33:26

9M ago33:26

33:26

We shared the Emotional Safety Planning tip sheet. There's versions for parents, kiddos and we didn't leave out our Spanish speaking parents! There's a version for you as well. https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/emotional-safety-plan It's also never too early or too late to help our children learn some mindfulness exercises. Check out those …

1
How's the school year going? 37:25

9M ago37:25

37:25

As the school year loses it's shine of newness a few of us got together to talk about how it's going, how we're holding up and how we hold it together. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behaviorand mental health challenges in PA visit:https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Par…

1
They'll let my child be bullied 399 times 1:52

9M ago1:52

1:52

If you live in Pennsylvania and would like to work one on one with a Parent Alliance teammate reach out to us here: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help Find …

1
Bullying, ADHD, and Dyslexia. Oh my! 46:45

9M ago46:45

46:45

We talked about and shared the following resources today: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/bullying-prevention For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help Find out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and h…

1
Friendships and so much more 37:24

10M ago37:24

37:24

We talked about a lot of resources available on our website. Check out our Juvenile Justice eBook https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/juvenile-justice-ebook Other tip sheets we talked about, like the Social Battery tip sheet can be found here: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/tip-sheets We're still putting the finishing touches on th…

1
Some days are harder than others 47:45

10M ago47:45

47:45

This week we really rely on the excellent information from the PA Education Law Center (ELC) and their truancy resources: https://www.elc-pa.org/truancy/ Check out the webinar the ELC did for us on the topic of Truancy. Attorney Wakelin did an excellent job of breaking down each important section of the law and clearly spelling out how schools shou…

1
You're out of what?! 37:45

10M ago37:45

37:45

Struggling to find the right medication for your child with ADHD? You're not alone. Medication shortages can have a significant impact on our children, but there are ways to manage the fallout and support them effectively. It's essential to champion the cause of children with ADHD and seek professional assistance. We share tips on how to advocate f…

1
An insiders trick to getting results 46:34

11M ago46:34

46:34

Christina shared one of her favorite resources from Wright's Law, the Letter to a Stranger. Find it and the theory behind how it works here: https://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/Letter_to_Stranger.html For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilya…

1
Our babies are all grown up 33:30

11M ago33:30

33:30

Melissa shared a Mental Health Crisis Plan app, empowering anyone who has a serious mental illness to help guide their treatment preferences during a mental health crisis. https://smiadviser.org/mymhcp Teresa shared an article on FERPA: What parents of college students should know: https://www.usnews.com/education/articles/ferpa-what-parents-of-col…

1
They're going back! 31:16

11M ago31:16

31:16

Does your child have an IEP? Sign up for our 21 day IEP bootcamp. We'll send you 1 tip everyday to help get your child's IEP into great shape! https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/256643/76927333143938394/share If you live anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania feel free to reach out to us and we'll connect you with a Family Support Partner (FSP).…

1
Mental Health Days? 30:53

11M ago30:53

30:53

We talked about a few resources today. Here they are: What are the physical symptoms of anxiety? Find out in our blog. https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/post/the-physical-symptoms-of-anxiety Create an Emotional Safety Plan for yourself and then have your children create one for themselves. It can be a great way to start a conversation about…

1
Summer is way harder now then when we were kids 39:06

12M ago39:06

39:06

If you'd like to talk with a Family Support Partner (FSP) connect with us here: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help We'll be talking about back to school challenges in our Parent Connections meetings until the end of September. Join us Monday night at 7 pm (ET) or Friday afternoon at noon (ET). https://www.paparentandfamilyall…

1
Stay at home parenting with ADHD 44:28

12M ago44:28

44:28

We want to give a big thank you to Brewer who spent his internship with us as our Podcast Producer. His help was so valuable in helping us figure out how to get started and find our feet. Check out Dave's blog about being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and the impact it had on his life: paparentandfamilyalliance.org/post/getting-an-adhd-diagnosis-…

1
Time for Kindergarten 29:57

1y ago29:57

29:57

Music: Dancehall Lush by Spice Originals. Here's some guidance from the PA Department of Education on admission to kindergarten: https://www.education.pa.gov/Policy-Funding/BECS/Purdons/Pages/AdmissionKindergartenBeginners.aspx Be sure to look for your local school district's website for rules and tips specific to your local area. If you have troub…

1
Cha-cha-cha-cha-changes 20:39

1y ago20:39

20:39

If you're not sure if your child is ready for kindergarten or not, the Parent Alliance, Family Support Partners are always available to listen and help you make a plan no matter your decision. https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help If you live in Pennsylvania we're available to help at no cost to you. Parents from anywhere are we…

1
Replay - With Power Comes Responsibility - Act 65 of 2020 33:56

1y ago33:56

33:56

Act 65 of 2020 is a mental health consent law introduced by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. This law "determines who can provide consent for voluntary mental health treatment of minors, in both inpatient and outpatient settings." The original goal of this law and the actual outcome have become blurred and have since negatively affect…

1
Insecurities and Changes: The Story of Sunny Days 39:42

1y ago39:42

39:42

On this week's episode Melissa, Tracy, and Brewer talk about all the different things happening at this point in life. School is ending, people are graduating, and pool parties are becoming the norm. For many children and young adults, this is a scary sight. At a time when you should be in relaxation mode, you are faced with a rush of anxiety and i…

1
I Think It's Time to Talk 35:34

1y ago35:34

35:34

Talking to your child about mental health can be challenging, especially when you are talking about their own challenges. Children and young adults may look at all of these myths and stigmas we talked about last week, and become insecure about their own challenges. This ultimately results in an insecure and defensive situation when you or another t…

1
BE a Normalizer. NOT a Stigmatizer 32:04

1y ago32:04

32:04

50 years ago things such as depression and anxiety may have been considered taboo, or not even considered at all. Today, we live in a world where myths and stigmas about youth mental health are constantly represented in schools, social media, and much more. As a young child or teenager, it may be difficult to admit that you may be going through har…

1
I Can't be Everywhere at Once 31:15

1y ago31:15

31:15

Sometimes, as a parent, we are forced to give more time and attention to our children that need it more. As young teens/children, these more self-sufficient may not fully understand why they are receiving less than their siblings. Although the love never changes from child to child, sometimes our care does and this stirs up a whole lot of sibling r…

1
Summer Series Part 2: Keep the Messy Play Outside! 27:43

1+ y ago27:43

27:43

This week we are picking up where we left off with the second part of our 'Summer Series'. In this week's episode, you will hear our moms share some of their favorite summer memories with their kids as well as some of the tips and tricks they picked up along the way. Navigating Summer break can seem expensive and stressful, but we promise that some…

1
Summer Series Part 1: More of the Logistical Side 28:35

1+ y ago28:35

28:35

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer and we all know what that means. Yes, the kids are coming back from school and parents gotta figure it out! Whether you work on-site, remotely, or are a stay-at-home parent you are going to need to find your child some time to kill and yourself some time to work. For our kiddos with chal…

1
Sometimes We Just Need a Break 35:53

1+ y ago35:53

35:53

This time of year always seems like the right time for a little recharge. Whether the time is best filled with family, friends, or our favorite, by yourself it always is nice to get a break from regular life. In this episode, you will get to hear how some of our moms find these little 'recharge' moments throughout their busy days. It is always impo…

1
With Power Comes Responsibility - Act 65 of 2020 33:56

1+ y ago33:56

33:56

Act 65 of 2020 is a mental health consent law introduced by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. This law "determines who can provide consent for voluntary mental health treatment of minors, in both inpatient and outpatient settings." The original goal of this law and the actual outcome have become blurred and have since negatively affect…

1
Back to Basics with some Tips & Tricks 27:40

1+ y ago27:40

27:40

We went back to basics with our episode today and decided to offer you guys some tips and tricks to help you navigate through this challenging journey as a parent. Sometimes the simplest tasks like getting up and out of the house can be so difficult, but with some helpful hints, you and your family may be able to tackle the morning better than you …

1
Why is it so hard finding my child's interest? 37:03

1+ y ago37:03

37:03

Growing up, I'm sure you had experiences where you found it difficult to fit in, find a hobby or group which you enjoyed, and every other possible experience when your main goal was to just feel normal. These experiences are the ones that make you so adamant about finding and utilizing your own child's special interest. Although it may be difficult…

1
My insurance won't cover what my child needs?! 34:01

1+ y ago34:01

34:01

In this week's episode, the original crew of Melissa, Christina, Tracy, and Brewer discuss certain resources that can be useful when you feel like you are either stuck in a waiting line, between specialists, dealing with school difficulties, etc. You have probably heard our members mention certain ideas like PH95 and the Student Assistance Program …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

PA Parent And Family Alliance Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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