The Child Repair Guide with Dr. Steve Silvestro

This is a quick and important point that all parents of today’s kids need to hear and pass on to their children. If your kids have said they want a YouTube channel, you’re not alone—a new survey reports that three times more kids want to be a YouTube star than an astronaut (good news: almost as many kids want to be a teacher).  I’m actually okay with this desire—if it’s for the right reasons. To make sure that’s the case, this is the conversation you need to have with your kids: And because our kids are all of the YouTube generation, you can show them a video of this episode—so they can see it for themselves—on MY YouTube channel, youtube.com/drstevesilvestro And let me know what you think—leave a comment on the YouTube video or send me a DM on Instagram @zendocsteve

I messed up. I made my daughter cry. It wasn't pretty, and I felt awful afterward.  But I've learned in my 11 1/2 years of parenting that owning your mistakes and apologizing to your kids is POWERFUL. In fact, the 3 BIG lessons I discuss in this episode can be used by you and your kids to make each other and your relationships stronger.  If this episode resonates with you, take a screenshot as you listen, post to your Instagram Story, and tag me @zendocsteve! Find the article version of this episode here: https://www.drstevesilvestro.com/power-of-apologizing-to-your-kids

Whether you’re on the verge of starting to potty train, in the middle of it, or having no success at all, this is the episode for you. This is a completely revamped update to my 2016 episode, making this the most comprehensive conversation about potty training anywhere. Learn how to introduce potty training in a fun way, plus overcome your child's lack of interest, refusal, constipation, fear, accidents, and bedwetting. Please share this episode if it helps you!

I don't know about you, but my kids' dressers are jam-packed with trophies, medals, and ribbons. And all but two or three are for participation. Every season, the participation trophy stirs up debate. But the debate usually misses the point. Here's how to use the trophy to help your kid develop growth mindset & grit.

Whether you have a toddler or a teenager, this is an episode you need to hear. I sit down with Marc Groman, former Obama White House tech and privacy advisor, and Dr. David Reitman, adolescent medicine expert -- who together host the podcast Their Own Devices -- to cover everything from screen time and development, behavior, sexting, cyberbullying, kids' online privacy, and more. Everything you need to know to help your kids manage their digital lives in a healthy, safe way. The full transcript of this episode is available at https://www.drstevesilvestro.com/90

As you've likely heard, there's a measles outbreak. But if it's only infected a few hundred people, why all the fuss? Is this something you actually need to be concerned about? This episode was inspired by a conversation with a parent who asked me those very questions. Take a few minutes to listen, as I break down everything you need to know about why we care about measles outbreaks—plus what you need to know to keep your family healthy. And spread the word—share this episode as both a podcast & an article via the link drstevesilvestro.com/measles

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day," right? But what if your child isn't hungry before school? Is that a problem? What's going on & what should you do? In the first "Listener Mailbag" episode of The Child Repair Guide, I answer a listener's question about this very topic. If you'd like to submit a question for me to answer on the podcast, follow me on Instagram @zendocsteve and send me a DM, or leave a voicemail at the number mentioned in this episode!

Kids don't come with an instruction manual (just a "Child Repair Guide!"), and the parenting section in bookstores can be overwhelming. And yet, there are a handful of books that have stood the test of time. 1-2-3 Magic is one of them, having sold nearly 2 million copies over close to 30 years. My guest today is the author of this perennially bestselling discipline guide, Dr. Thomas Phelan. Dr. Phelan has worked with children, adults and families for over 35 years. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Illinois Psychological Association. Dr. Phelan is the author of numerous books, DVDs and audios, the most popular being 1-2-3 Magic: 3-Step Discipline for Calm, Effective, and Happy Parenting, which is now in its 6th edition and has sold nearly 2 million copies. He maintains an active schedule of international lectures and his articles appear in many regional and national publications. And in our conversation, Dr. Phelan outlines the 3 simple steps you can use to radically change discipline challenges in your home.

I hurt when my kids hurt. It's heartbreaking as a parent to watch your child be in pain. And if your child has chronic pain, it can take such a toll on your family that you'd do everything possible to help your child feel better This episode is going to give you everything you need to understand--and help--your child with pain. My guest is Lindsay Clendaniel, PhD, a pediatric psychologist and director of Thinking Tree Psychology. Dr. Clendaniel specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with anxiety and health-related adjustment issues. Among other topics, Dr. Clendaniel has particular expertise in pain management, having presented at national conferences on the topic and helped hundreds of families learn to manage chronic pain so that kids and teens can live their best possible lives. If your child has dealt with pain--especially chronic pain--you need to hear this conversation.

We'd all love to raise kids who are positive and who can appreciate the good in their lives. In this episode, I describe a simple, fun activity that can help your family do exactly that. This activity has brought so much warmth, joy, and gratitude into my family over the past year, I'm thrilled to share the idea with you. You can share this episode as both a podcast an article by sharing the link drstevesilvestro.com/83 Also, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter at drstevesilvestro.com to stay on top of exciting announcements that will be coming soon!