

Project Parenthood
QuickAndDirtyTips.com
Project Parenthood, hosted by clinical psychologist and respectful parenting advocate Dr. Nanika Coor, offers a refreshing alternative to traditional parenting advice. We believe raising the next generation involves fostering intentional, collaborative relationships with all children—whether you're a parent, teacher, mentor, or caregiver.
Each week, we dive into the depths of childhood, giving voice to young people and exploring their complex humanity. Through real conversations, expert insights, and a commitment to intergenerational healing, we'll learn how to empower children, approach them with curiosity, and build inclusive communities where every child, especially those from marginalized groups, feels seen, heard, and understood. Join us as we work together to create a world where children thrive and understand one another, breaking harmful cycles and building a future of empathy and respect. Because if trauma can be passed down, so can mental wellness and collective understanding.
Each week, we dive into the depths of childhood, giving voice to young people and exploring their complex humanity. Through real conversations, expert insights, and a commitment to intergenerational healing, we'll learn how to empower children, approach them with curiosity, and build inclusive communities where every child, especially those from marginalized groups, feels seen, heard, and understood. Join us as we work together to create a world where children thrive and understand one another, breaking harmful cycles and building a future of empathy and respect. Because if trauma can be passed down, so can mental wellness and collective understanding.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 23, 2025 • 16min
How to thrive as an LGBTQIA+ parent (Encore)
In this episode, Dr. Nanika Coor shares ways that LGBTQIA+ parents can help their kids thrive while facing unique challenges.This in an encore of an episode that originally aired on June 12, 2023, and hosted by Dr. Nanika Coor.Transcript: https://project-parenthood.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-thrive-as-an-lgbtqia-parent-encore/transcriptHave a parenting question? Email Dr. Coor at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 646-926-3243.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthoodhttps://brooklynparenttherapy.com/

Jun 16, 2025 • 13min
How to talk to kids about Juneteenth and the fight for equality (Encore)
In this encore episode of the podcast, we revisit an episode from 2023 where Dr. Nanika Coor shared tips for talking to kids about the ways that the Black Freedom Movement—from the abolitionist movement in the 1800s to the Black Power Movement in the 1960s and 1970s—inspired many future movements—including the LGBTQIA+ liberation movement. The theme for NYC Pride Month that year was “Strength in Solidarity,” reflecting the power and resiliency of the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. Transcript: https://project-parenthood.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-juneteenth-and-the-fight-for-equality-encore/transcriptProject Parenthood is hosted by Dr. Nanika Coor. Have a parenting question? Email Dr. Coor at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthoodhttps://brooklynparenttherapy.com/

Jun 9, 2025 • 11min
How to encourage your child's healthy body image (Encore)
What can you do when you’re worried about your child’s weight? How does a parent avoid passing down intergenerational patterns of body shaming? In this episode, Dr. Nanika Coor responds to a parent who is struggling to support their child’s healthy body image.Transcript: https://project-parenthood.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-encourage-your-childs-healthy-body-image-encore/transcriptProject Parenthood is hosted by Dr. Nanika Coor. Have a parenting question? Email Dr. Coor at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthoodhttps://brooklynparenttherapy.com/

Jun 2, 2025 • 14min
Dr. Nanika Coor gives tips for helping your child when they’re being bullied. (Encore)
Dr. Coor returns to live episodes next week! On today's show, as kids are growing up and learning to be social beings, they’ll encounter both joyful and challenging situations. There will be misunderstandings and hurt feelings right alongside super fun, warm and fuzzy kid to kid interactions. All of this is just normal kid stuff! But things can become more complicated and more serious when bullying is involved. On today’s episode Dr. Nanika Coor gives tips for helping your child when they’re being bullied.Project Parenthood is hosted by Dr. Nanika Coor. Transcript: Have a parenting question? Email Dr. Coor at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 646-926-3243.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Sources:https://www.stompoutbullying.org/tip-sheet-signs-your-child-being-bulliedhttps://www.apa.org/topics/bullying/preventhttps://www.understood.org/articles/difference-between-teasing-and-bullyinghttps://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/bullyingresearch/fastfact.htmlhttps://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/at-riskhttps://liftwithboystown.org/blog/teaching-students-the-difference-between-teasing-and-bullyingLinks: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthoodhttps://brooklynparenttherapy.com/

May 26, 2025 • 14min
5 ways to encourage a self-directed summer (Encore)
School’s just about out for the summer - now what? Many parents will have signed their kids up for numerous camps and enrichment experiences by now, making sure that they won’t have to hear the dreaded “I’m bored!” refrain repeated endlessly. That makes sense since kids are often passive receivers - of entertainment that both their technology and many toys that are made for children provide. They are also often passive recipients of education. Most are required to go to a formal school setting whether or not they want to, where they tend to be externally motivated by systems of rewards and punishments to do what adults tell them to do and learn what they’re told to learn and when. This means that many kids these days don’t have or take as many opportunities to create their own fun or decide what to do with their time as they once did. Furthermore, high-pressure academic environments can leave kids feeling anxious and depressed about where they fall in grade rankings - or that their scores are worth more than they are. Rather than developing a love of learning, these kids can end up developing the false idea that how they “perform” their learning means more than the learning itself.Transcript: https://project-parenthood.simplecast.com/episodes/5-ways-to-encourage-a-self-directed-summer-encore/transcriptSources: What Is Self-Directed Education? The Alliance for Self-Directed Education.https://www.self-directed.org/sde/. Boles, B. (2018, October 17). Give Kids Control. The Alliance for Self-Directed Education.https://www.self-directed.org/tp/give-kids-control/. Boles, B. (2018, May 24). Teens and Screens. The Alliance for Self-Directed Education.https://www.self-directed.org/tp/teens-and-screens/.Loosli, S. E. (2022, May 15). Do-It-Yourself Summer Camp. Power of Families.https://poweroffamilies.com/do-it-yourself-summer-camp/.Low, C (2021, January 10) How To Help Your Child Be An Independent, Self-Directed Learner. Mamahood. https://story.mamahood.com.sg/help-your-child-be-independent-self-directed-learner/. McDonald, K. (2019, April 23). The Value of A Self-Directed Summer for Kids. FEE Stories. https://fee.org/articles/the-value-of-a-self-directed-summer-for-kids/. Tam, V. C., Chu, P., & Tsang, V. (2023). Engaging in self-directed leisure activities during a homework-free holiday: Impacts on primary school children in Hong Kong. Journal of Global Education and Research, 7(1), 64-80.https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1193&context=jger

May 19, 2025 • 10min
Breaking the cycle of parental anger and emotional reactivity (Encore)
No matter how chill you or your child is, at some point you’re going to get very angry about something your child has said or done. Nanika explains how to manage everyday anger as a parent and how to know if your anger has become problematic.Have a parenting question? Email us at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 646-926-3243.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthood

May 12, 2025 • 11min
Brain boosters: Powering up your child's executive functioning (Encore)
When you learn that your child has executive functioning deficits that need strengthening, it can feel confusing and overwhelming. How do you know when your child’s lagging EF skills are getting in the way? Nanika explains what executive functioning is and everyday fun and useful ways to help your child improve their capacities to think before acting.Have a parenting question? Email us at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 646-926-3243.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthood

May 5, 2025 • 9min
How to be a supportive sports parent... without going overboard (Encore)
Have you become overly involved in your child’s sports participation to the point where it might be veering into being disruptive and unhealthy? In this episode, Nanika talks about healthy ways to support your child’s participation in sports. Have a parenting question? Email us at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 646-926-3243.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthood

Apr 28, 2025 • 13min
How autism is different for girls and women (Encore)
Happy Autism Acceptance Month! Did you know that many people’s idea of autism is that it only occurs in boys—who don’t make eye contact, who are obsessed with cars or trains, and who have superior intelligence? While that does describe some autistic people, it leaves out the wide range of experiences in the autism continuum. In this episode, Nanika talks about the regularity with which autism goes undetected in girls until adulthood.Have a parenting question? Email us at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 646-926-3243.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthood

Apr 21, 2025 • 13min
How to take responsibility for your parent-child relationship (Encore)
When you are feeling frustrated, disappointed, or even perhaps dismayed by the relationship between you and your child, it’s common to see them and their behavior as the cause of your distress. In this episode, Nanika talks about improving your parent-child relationship by turning the spotlight on yourself. Have a parenting question? Email us at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 646-926-3243.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthood