Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Traveling with kids? Get ready to rethink your expectations! Discover strategies to prepare your little ones for the journey ahead and keep meltdowns at bay. Sleep issues while away? Uncover the reasons behind nighttime worries and how to tackle them. Learn the art of managing car sibling squabbles and turn them into teamwork with proactive planning. With tips on early intervention and maintaining calm, you'll be equipped for a smoother holiday travel experience.

Penn and Kim Holderness join to share their personal journeys with ADHD, highlighting the importance of viewing it as a difference rather than a deficit. They delve into emotional intensity, explaining how deeply feeling kids can be strengths in disguise. The couple discusses practical parenting strategies that include fostering connection over correction and developing supportive home systems. They also emphasize the value of empowering children post-diagnosis and their motivation behind writing a children's book to help kids embrace their uniqueness.

In this conversation, grief expert David Kessler, known for his extensive work on bereavement, shares insights on how to help children navigate loss. He discusses how kids often blame themselves and the importance of honesty and connection in their grieving process. David emphasizes the value of modeling grief for children and the complexities of talking about death. With poignant anecdotes from his own life, he highlights that grief can transform into love and the necessity of teaching children healthy coping skills.

Joe Gonzales, founder of Brooklyn Stroll Club and a New York-based father, shares insights on modern fatherhood. He discusses how his quest for dad community sparked a movement, emphasizing that vulnerability is crucial for connection. Joe reflects on re-raising parts of himself through parenting and how shared experiences can alleviate loneliness. He also highlights the importance of validating children's feelings while setting limits and building long-term trust through emotional skills. Joe's passion shines in his vision of a supportive community for future generations.

Leslie Odom Jr., a Tony Award-winning actor known for his role in Hamilton, and his wife, Nicolette Robinson, an accomplished actor and singer from Waitress, delve into the challenges of parenting. They share their personal journeys of breaking childhood cycles, navigating success, and prioritizing self-care in their marriage. Highlights include their insights on setting boundaries, the importance of modeling repair for their kids, and a humorous take on teaching children to avoid unproductive conflicts. Their heartfelt stories emphasize kindness and the legacy they wish to leave for their children.

Dr. Jean Twenge, a research psychologist and author of 'Ten Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World', joins Dr. Becky to explore the challenges of parenting in a digital age. They discuss essential rules for setting phone boundaries and the importance of phone-free zones, particularly at family dinners. Twenge emphasizes delaying smartphones until driving age and shares insights on managing meltdowns while enforcing tech rules. The conversation sheds light on fostering real-world independence in children and how it contributes to resilience and mental well-being.

Dr. Sunita Sah, an organizational psychologist and author of "Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes," discusses the hidden costs of raising overly compliant children. She explores how uncritical compliance can silence kids in critical moments. Sunita introduces the five stages of defiance and stresses the importance of practicing small acts of defiance to build confidence. She also emphasizes that balancing cooperation and defiance in parenting is crucial for nurturing independent, courageous adults.

Dr. Corinne Low is an economics professor at Wharton focused on women’s lives and time. In this discussion, she debunks the myth of 'having it all' for modern parents. Corinne reveals how the demands of careers and childcare have become unbalanced, stressing the need for prioritizing personal values. They share the importance of protecting 'me time' for wellbeing and promoting co-parenting roles. Practical tips include outsourcing tasks and setting clear boundaries to reclaim time and improve family dynamics.

Dr. Becky shares her hilarious subway experience explaining condoms to her young son. She emphasizes the importance of ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about sex to reduce awkwardness. Delving into why these talks often feel uncomfortable, she encourages parents to use proper terminology and address children's natural curiosity. Notably, she dispels myths about early sexual behavior and normalizes children's self-touching. The key takeaway? Creating a safe space fosters trust and opens the door for kids to ask questions.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, a clinical psychologist and bullying expert, sheds light on the nuances between bullying and mere meanness. She emphasizes the influence of parents’ past experiences on their reactions to their children’s struggles. The conversation also explores the peak of bullying in middle school, the impact of social media, and practical strategies for parents. Dr. Ziegler offers valuable insights on how to respond when kids feel left out, encouraging a shift from a 'fix it' mentality to fostering connection.