We get it wrong when we interact with teens and pre-teens. At least, that was the main point of an interesting article I read this week. In this episode, I talk about how adolescence changes the dynamics of the family, and how we can make changes to the way we interact with our teens and pre-teens to maintain the relationship and connection we crave with them. My three main points in this podcast are: The fear of getting "shut out" is the root of ineffective interactions with teens. Stop asking questions. We forget and don't give kids credit for their capabilities and what they can handle.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: 4 Pillars of Play Therapy  Self-Fulfilling Prophecy  Goodness of Kids 

Most parents are stuck in a "prison". I've called it the "Parenting Prison". In this episode, I'm going to tell you what the Parenting Prison is, and how to get out of it. I'll also touch on repeating familial cycles of parenting. We often parent the way we were parented (or the opposite)! I'll briefly go over several common parenting styles, and why they are all ineffective. And finally I'll discuss the #1 reason parenting responses are ineffective, and what you can do about it.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: Why Reasoning Doesn’t Work with Kids Stop trying to reason and rationalize with your child! Why Reflecting Feelings Works (even on adults!) 4 Pillars of Play Therapy The “4 Pillars of Play Therapy” – A training presentation I gave to the 300 school and guidance counselors from the Hillsborough County School System in the Tampa, FL area.

I came across a quote from a book that inspired this episode... "Although she hadn't seen her parents for years, it turned out that a parent's disapproval is a powerful lingering voice that shaped and defined one's self-image". So in this episode, I discuss parental disapproval, and what a child does when they experience that. I discuss unconditional love and acceptance, which is a play therapy principle. And finally the power we have as parents in a child's life   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: Does Your Child Have At Least One Adult Who Has An Irrational, Emotional Relationship With Them?

Over the weekend, I saw a disturbing scene play out while we were at a bowling ally, and it was a perfect example of what I call negative behavior reinforcement using devices. So in this episode, I share that story, then I explain the reasoning behind why negative behavior is reinforced with device use. As a bonus, I go into the addictive nature of screens from a neurobiology perspective. And finally, I share some listener feedback.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: Kids Bowl Free - www.kidsbowlfree.com Device Detox - www.devicedetoxbook.com

In this episode, I catch you up on, and celebrate some of the things I've been involved in lately, and then I celebrate an email that I got from a Mom... She wrote me an email and it touched my heart, so I asked her if I could share it. I celebrate all of the emails and feedback that I get from you and I want you to know that I read them all and respond to all of them. So thank you for the feedback you give me and I can't express enough how much I enjoy sharing with you each week. Please email me at brenna@thekidcounselor.com with more questions and feedback. And don't forget to celebrate the relationships in your life. We have a lot to be thankful for... you don't have to look very hard to find relationships to celebrate.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

"The gratification comes in the doing, not in the results" - James Dean I stumbled on this quote this week and added it to my "quote book", and I realized how this ties into the play therapy concept of encouragement perfectly!   In today's episode I discuss the following topics: The difference between praise vs. encouragement The use of esteem-building responses Focusing on the effort, not the outcome   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: Praise vs. Encouragement “Encourage The Effort Rather Than Praise The Product” The "4 Pillars" of Play Therapy

In this episode, I help a Mom that emailed me asking for help with her 15 year old son. Based on her email and my clarifying questions that she answered, I summarized many of the issues she's having into 4 areas. First, I discuss my "Parenting Prison" theory, and how we can escape from parenting the way we were parented. Second, I talk about how to get kids "un-stuck". Third, I assure this Mom that it's never too late to work on the relationship. And finally, I talk about how screens are likely affecting the child's behavior. And to help her out, as a thank you for allowing me to share her email on the podcast, I'll be sending her a link to get ALL of my online courses for free to help her build the relationship with her son. If you email me a question to brenna@thekidcounselor.com, and I use your question in the episode, I'll send you the free link to all my online courses as well.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: What a child believes is more important that what a child knows The Parenting Prison 4 Pillars of Play Therapy Birth Order Be With Attitudes Reflecting Feelings Device Detox

"To develop normally, a child requires a relationship with at least one adult who has an irrational, emotional relationship with the child" - Urie Bronfenbrenner   In this episode, I discuss how the development of kids is influenced by the relationships that they have, the power of acceptance of children, and the power of relationship with kids and why it's so important.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ Device Detox: https://devicedetoxbook.com   Links from this episode: 4 Pillars of Play Therapy episode

Empathy is learned. Kids aren't born with it, and they mainly learn it by observing adults displaying empathy.  We want our kids to show empathy when it's appropriate. Being kind and compassionate to others is a good character trait.  In this episode, I talk about how kids develop empathy, how abstract reasoning plays into empathy development, and I explain a psychology term called "other orientation".   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/   Links from this episode: Love for our Elders: https://loveforourelders.org/

I was listening to a business podcast this week, and a successful Mom/CEO said this quote when asked how she overcomes "Mom Guilt" as she runs a multi-million dollar business, while juggling being a mom. She said "Kids don't count the hours that you're with them, but they do notice if you're present." And the truth of that quote jumped out at me, and made me take notice. I immediately related it to the Play Therapy principles, called the "Be With Attitudes," that I teach in my private parent coaching course. So I wanted to share with you some practical tips, that you can put into practice immediately, that will help you become fully present with your kids during the time you spend with them. You no longer have to feel any guilt as a mom, parent, or caregiver because your child will get intentional, quality, meaningful time with you.