Healthy Parenting Handbook with Katie Kimball

I actually HUGGED my to-do lists, all of them, during this interview!My guest Megan Sumrell warned me that she was going to tell me task lists are no good. I added that to my list. ;)If you’ve ever felt like you have too much to do, too many demands on your time, or like you’re bound to that to-do list, this episode is for you!We discuss:Why traditional time management systems often fail to address the emotional and mental loadThe difference between task lists and plansThe challenge of estimating how long something will take (spoiler: I’m terrible at this!)Why that time right after school deserves to be called “running the gauntlet” and how to reduce anxiety about that time of dayWhether tech is a help or a hindrance to productivitySome incredible tips for building routines with your little ones and teaching tweens and teens how to begin to manage their own time effectivelyThe connection between time management and a financial budgetWhy you shouldn’t feel guilty for “not being on top of everything”I learned a lot about myself and why I sabotage my own to-do lists even as I cling to them, and I hope you get to introspect as well!!Resources We Mention for Time ManagementTime Management for Creatives courseMegan's websiteThe Work-Life Harmony trainingThe Pink Bee app Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Grocery budget hurting?Erin Chase of $5 Dinners has been making inexpensive meals to save her family’s grocery budget since the real estate crisis of 2008. She says the current inflation problem is similar in how it’s making people feel about money and savings, and it’s TIME to pay attention to your food budget, no matter who you are.In this episode, prepare to learn:How to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the ever-changing worldWhy thinking about your dinner cost is even more important than finding a sale or thinking about what’s in your cart at the momentThe most important part of the meal to focus on to cut costsHow one appliance can make a huge difference in your planningErin’s awesome four-step process to gradually let go and teach kids to cookHow parents need to be intentional about teaching budgeting to kids (and it’s a lot more like raising toddlers than you think!)We guarantee you’ll learn at least one (hopefully many!) hack to save time, money, or stress while you nourish your family!Erin is a camp leader at #LifeSkillsNow summer camp, season 3, teaching kids how to make double the food in half the time – yum!Register for free!Resources We Mention for Cutting Your Grocery BudgetFind Erin onlineFeeding Teenage Boys on a BudgetSome of my tips for saving money on foodTeaching kids to meal plan and budget for groceriesHow to stretch your meat to maximize your grocery dollar5 steps to meal plan on a budget Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

You’ve heard people say it …You may have said something similar yourself …It’s a negative judgment on teens, especially parenting teens.“Oh, just look out for when they’re teenagers!”“Teens are just moody…just confrontational…just tough to parent.”Etc. Etc. Etc.I’ve said it too, and I feel regret!Turns out, most of the time, I puffy-heart-love parenting teens. They’re spectacular! They’re inquisitive! They’re deep thinkers!And they’re a joy to be around.Parenting teens is not without its challenges, but what in life is?Joey Mascio has been an actor and a middle school teacher, not much difference there. :)Today he joins us to inspire us to be our teens' mentors, not a villain, and I know your mind will be challenged (in a good way). We discuss:Why parents and teens have such trouble understanding each other (spoiler: it’s not the teen’s fault)Whether parenting was more difficult for our parents or now, and one (reversible) reason WHY that’s soThe way you’ll talk to your teen once you start thinking about your teen the right wayWhy teens have trouble starting conversationsThe 3 things teens NEED to be successful (and how parents can use those elements to do better at our job and build our teens' confidence)How teens can go from a sidekick mentality to a hero mentalityThe importance of failure and telling our own imperfect storiesI feel like that only scratches the surface - if you’re a parent of a teen or will be someday, get the foundations right with the strategies in this interview!Resources We Mention for Mentoring TeensRegister for free for #LifeSkillsNow Summer Camp Season 3!Helping kids thrive in spite of screensHelping teens build a healthy relationship with screensFind Joey onlineFollow him on InstagramGet a free month of his app: Sidekick to Hero Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I interview a LOT of different people in a myriad of professions, but I’ve never come close to having a woodworker on the show before!“What would we talk about - how to build things? That won’t go well on a podcast in someone’s ear…” I thought.Do not worry my friends, because Anika and I are both moms, so we dig into woodworking as an analogy for parenting and life skills, and I know you’ll be inspired to make time for a creative pursuit after this!We talk about:How Anika went from being an engineer and scientist to breaking boundaries as a female woodworker on YouTubeWhy the best way to get started with woodworking is…just to get started :)How her engineering background helped Anika be a better woodworker and the MYTH of right-brained/left-brained workThe incredibly valuable life skills kids (and adults) learn while building projects - problem-solving and patience are biggies but wait until you hear the most important skill!The two tools you’ll need to buy to get started - a very low barrier to entry!!All about confidence, failure, and great parentingWhy Anika sees failure as an opportunityThe importance of carving out time for creative hobbies as parents (and modeling all sorts of skills for our kids)Let’s grab a power drill and get building!Resources We Mention for Exploring CreativityWhy we need to let our kids failFind Anika online hereWatch her on YouTubeFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTokFree Guide: Power Tools Simplified Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

What happens when you’re already living your dream…but it’s a dream interrupted?Dr. Robin Dickinson was a family practitioner who loved her job and her patients, and she was GOOD at what she did. But when the pandemic sent her kids home from school, they needed her more.What happened next is nothing short of extraordinary.In today’s interview, you’ll learn:Why teaching kids in-depth medical science helps them understand and care for their bodies.Why education should focus on a balanced approach that includes hands-on skills and trades.How to tell kids that certain foods are “good” or “bad” the RIGHT way - in spite of the social media voices saying we mustn’t ever never ever…One doctor’s advice on managing candy consumption!!!That imperfect parents can still parent GREAT kids (good news for me, you too?)How to encourage scientific thinkingPlus a little bit about Doc Robin’s TWO awesome #LifeSkillsNow summer camp workshops!I love Doc Robin’s philosophy on helping kids OWN their health not through cajoling, not even by example, but by education. Can’t wait to hear what you think of this one!Resources We Mention for Learning About Your BodyFostering a healthy relationship with food in your kidsIf you’re struggling to know what your child needs for proper nutrition check out this interviewHere’s a rundown of our dessert rule if you want to hear moreFind Dr. Robin onlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Confession: My house is VERY cluttered.I have never been good at letting go of things. “I might need that someday!” “What about the grandkids? They’ll want to read that book!”I’m always a little anxious and yet inspired when I talk to organizers and decluttering experts, and this conversation with Katy Wells will not disappoint!!Her story was a huge surprise to me and made her all the more believable. Katy is super passionate about keeping a home that allows you to focus on what truly matters, and I love her sense of balance and reality as well.In this episode, you’ll learn about:What clutter really is (and why we might not have heard about decluttering 30+ years ago)Women’s biggest clutter pain points (see if these rooms in your house have issues!)Why fixing the clutter problem is never as easy as “following a checklist”The 3 layers of clutter and challenges that come with the deeper layers (and no, that’s not physical layers as in the piles on your desk LOL!)How to teach kids to clean up, declutter, and start life with the right mindset about STUFF!A sneak preview of Katy’s brand new workshop in the #LifeSkillsNow summer camp, season 3!Why we can find beauty in our messes (a tear jerker!)Resources We Mention for Clutter ManagementKaty's courses:Toy Clutter CureClutter Crush ChallengeClutter Cure ClubMaximized Minimalist podcastTips for organizing a kid-friendly kitchenBudget-friendly organization strategiesFind Katy onlineFollow her on Instagram Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

When is the last time your kids were learning something in school and you got totally pulled in?That happened to today’s podcast guest, Kathy Gibbens, when her daughter was learning logic and critical thinking in middle school, and Kathy became a mom on a mission.She realized critical thinking is, well, critical to our society thriving and started teaching others things like logical fallacies and how to spot propaganda and emotion-driven marketing.I adored our conversation in this podcast! Look forward to some learning and some great challenges to become a better parent and a better person. Listen for:the deets on WHY critical thinking isn’t taught in schools (it was intentional!! What???)tons of easy-to-learn terms that open up the world of logicwhy life is better for those who can think wellsimple steps to take to foster critical thinking in your homesome really HARD steps to take to foster critical thinking in your home! ;)how helping little kids build their critical thinking muscles is different than tweens and teenswhy it’s a gargantuan problem if your teens aren’t disagreeing with you…yes, I said are NOT disagreeing with yousome super tips to help our kids take ownership of their health and nutritionSeriously, this is a fantastic interview - I told Kathy when we started that I typically shoot for half an hour podcasts, but the more fascinating the interview, the longer I generally let it slide. By the timestamp you can see that I couldn’t stop asking questions and eating up everything Kathy was dishing out!Resources We Mention for Critical ThinkingKatie's TEDx talk on the importance of critical thinkingThe Fallacy DetectiveThe Tuttle Twins Guide to Logical FallaciesFind Kathy onlineFollow her on social media: Instagram, FacebookListen to her podcast: Filter it Through a Brain CellThe quiz Kathy mentioned to guess logical fallacies Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

For real, let's talk about Kid POOP. Because it doesn't get enough press! Dr. Song talks about kids' poop with every patient at every visit. You're going to love this interview!Dr. Elisa Song, MD, holistic pediatrician, is back today with some very important instruction for parents and kids about WHY we need to be aware of our kid's poop each day, what to look for in a healthy poop, and what "text messages" our poop is sending us.Once we learn to interpret the language of poop, we might need her tips on:How gut health impacts our brains and immune system and alllll the many ailments that likely begins in the gutKicking constipation naturally (she explains why Miralax is NOT a good solution)How to find a good probioticBest exercise for good digestionWhat happens to our digestion when we literally "eat on the run"Dr. Song's new book Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrative Pediatrician's Guide to Whole Child Resilience releases on Tuesday, May 14! You can purchase it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or ask your local bookstore or library if they'll get it. Kids' Poop Resources We MentionBristol Stool Chart Poo Keeper AppDr. Song's blog post Oh, CrapMy post on natural alternatives to beat constipationAn alternative to MiralaxFREE probiotic guide for kids from Dr. SongOur huge guide to probiotics on Kitchen StewardshipGreat choice for an infant probiotic: WellBellyDr. Song talks more about infant reflux relief here.3 part Facebook series on healthy gut in kids: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.My post about how to ferment vegetablesBuddies in My Belly is a book to teach kids about probiotics Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

In today's Healthy Parenting Handbook, I'm going to take 5 different arguments against kids doing chores and learning life skills and counter them with facts, stories, research, and a big ol' dose of common sense.These are real arguments I hear from both well-meaning parents AND keyboard warriors on social media, plus one from a well-established expert I heard on a podcast that I simply do not agree with!If you've ever had to listen to someone say it's cruelty to make your kids clean a bathroom or have felt yourself that maybe kids are busy enough - maybe life skills aren't important to learn now - this one's for you.Resources I Mention for Chores and Life SkillsReserve your spot in our 2024 Life Skills Now Summer CampPurchase access to Life Skills Now Season One from 2022 or Season Two from 20233 Reasons Giving Kids Responsibility Is a Gift Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Oh, parents. Parents in the tech age...there REALLY is no handbook for this! We've never seen our parents struggle through having the Internet in our kids' pockets, and honestly? I don't like the feeling of making it up as I go along.That's why I've been following Andrea and Tyler at Better Screen Time for a few years in my personal email, and I don't know why I didn't ask her to do an interview sooner!We dug deep in this interview,  including:Risks of screen use and technology, including some I NEVER even consideredWhy we can't parent from a place of fear (even though that bit above is scary!!!)How parents can consciously choose when a child gets a personal deviceThe risk of allowing our kids to self-soothe with screensThe importance of kids under 6 doing the hard work of playingThe difference between watching a show and playing on an interactive touch screen (mind-blowing!)What questions you should ask your kids to help build a family tech plan (and why "together" works better than "rules from the top")This interview is required listening for all parents, and we really dig into healthy screen boundaries for kids younger than 10. Lay the foundations for family tech use with this interview, and watch in a few months when I have Andrea back to tackle the tough topic of tweens, teens, and smartphones.Andrea offered a free gift for our listeners 100 screen-free activities.Andrea is a camp leader for #LifeSkillsNow Summer Camp this June! Sign up for free here!Check out 3rd Rock Essentials and use code KITCHENSTEW for 20% off!Resources We Mention for Better Screen TimeMy second interview with Andrea about teens and screensFind Andrea OnlineAndrea's book: Creating a Tech Healthy FamilyAndrea's Courses: Creating a Tech Healthy Family, Untangling Teens and TechDr. Dimitri Christakis is a leader in screen research with kidsReset Your Child's BrainHere's the interview I mentioned with Dina Rose about healthy eating habitsFollow Andrea on social media: Instagram, Facebook Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!