In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton chats with David Thomas, LMSW - author, counselor, and co-host of the Raising Boys and Girls podcast - about the emotional lives of boys, exploring why anxiety and risk-avoidance are on the rise, how parents can move kids from emotional suppression to healthy expression using his "three Rs" framework (recognize, regulate, repair), the importance of free play and age-appropriate discomfort for growth, and practical tools families can use to help boys build emotional vocabulary, self-regulation skills, and true resilience.

WATCH EPISODE: https://youtu.be/bfx9P05oSUQ

Learn More: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com

Key takeaways from this episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17-_Asem4uBwXBYqrebhko2kO1_0h2kic/view?usp=sharing

Send us a Question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1W39w6aJj5Y4C_RDzzRsnmt7JGs1ZHI3FzBikkobPkjs

TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome & Introduction 01:17 Meet David Thomas 03:07 Common Issues Boys Face 04:22 Trends in Boys' Mental Health 06:09 Rising Anxiety & Avoidance of Risk 10:46 Parenting Shifts & Overcorrection 13:12 Free Play and Child Independence 15:04 Why Write Raising Emotionally Strong Boys? 19:17 The 3 Rs: Recognize, Regulate, Repair 24:49 Practical Strategies for Teaching Emotional Skills 28:20 Healthy Masculinity Redefined 33:30 Co-Regulation to Self-Regulation 38:34 Parental Challenges & The Role of Control 41:41 Understanding the Rise in Anxiety 44:01 Overmedicalization & Cultural Trends 46:01 Practical Parenting Tips by Age 49:40 Breathing, Breaks, and Healthy Coping 52:44 Hopeful Trends in Schools & Pediatric Care 55:45 Building Optimism for Boys' Emotional Growth 57:34 Lightning Round: Advice for Parents 59:02 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

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