A Dad's Path

In this episode of A Dad's Path podcast, Will Braunstein speaks with Kim Hopkins, Director of Outreach at Lives in the Balance, about Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), an evidence-based model of care for children. Kim talks about how CPS helps caregivers identify the problems that cause children's behaviors and collaboratively solve them. The importance of addressing and understanding the root of challenging behaviors  Moving away from adversarial parenting Fostering self-sufficient kids The three-step model for solving problems with children Differences in parenting approaches between co-parents and how to address them Kids' desire to do the right thing and the role of skills in motivation and behavior. Enjoy this episode!

In this episode of A Dad's Path podcast, host Will Braunstein talks to Kevin Spainhour, author of the book "Dads, Leaders, & Father Figures." They discuss the importance of vulnerability, establishing non-negotiables, and creating golden times with your children.  Kevin, a father of four, has been an educator for over 20 years and is in his 11th year as a high school principal at a large public school. The conversation revolves around the themes and takeaways from his book and his experience as a father and a leader.  Highlights of the conversation include: Non-negotiables and how to utilize them as new dads Helping children deal with depression, anxiety, and fear The significance of having golden times and quality time with your children The importance of vulnerability and authenticity Developing critical thinking skills in children from a young age Recognizing children's spirit and individuality Finding creative ways to spend quality time with children. Enjoy this episode!

In this episode of A Dad's Path, host Will Braunstein explores the concept of peaceful parenting with Sarah Rosensweet. Sarah, a certified peaceful parenting coach, speaker-educator, and host of the top-rated parenting podcast, the Peaceful Parenting podcast, shares her knowledge on parenting superpowers and how to use them to guide parenting. Will and Sarah delve into balancing autonomy and control in parenting young kids and discuss the importance of giving children enough independence to develop decision-making skills while still maintaining safety and well-being. They also explore the topic of consequences in peaceful parenting, discussing the difference between consequences and natural consequences and how peaceful parenting uses natural consequences to teach children without making them feel bad. Top Topics for Dads: Parenting superpowers and how to use them in guiding parenting Balancing autonomy and control in parenting The use of natural consequences in peaceful parenting Importance of addressing the root cause of child behavior Development of decision-making skills in children The benefits of positive reinforcement The limitations of traditional forms of punishment Empathy and kindness in child-rearing Impulse control in children The relationship between how people want to be treated and how to treat children.

Will interviews Rachel Rainbolt, host of the popular Sage Family podcast. They delve into topics such as clearing away the mental clutter of shoulds and should nots in parenting, the art of parenting, and the importance of connecting with your child. They also discuss the challenges of managing anxiety in kids, the importance of co-parenting, and what makes for successful parenting focused on personal growth and well-being. Join them as they explore the ins and outs of parenting and the role of being a parent in today's world. We discuss: Balancing your intuition with your child's needs Art of parenting and seeking help when needed Importance of being aware of emotions and investing in personal growth Co-parenting and establishing boundaries and common values Acknowledging children are born whole Supporting children in dealing with anxiety and expanding their world Being a successful parent through personal growth and well-being.

In this episode of A Dad's Path Podcast, host Will Braunstein sits down with Virginia Tompkins, a professor of psychology at The Ohio State University, to discuss the importance of social cognitive development in early childhood. They discuss the progression of mental states that children can understand over the years and how it's difficult for young children because those mental states are often invisible or unseen. They also touch on the importance of parental involvement in theory of mind development and how asking more questions can help children grow and develop. Finally, they explore the impact of parental stress on children's development, including the importance of self-care for parents and the effects of household stress on children. Highlights of our conversation include: Difficulties with invisible or unseen mental states The relationship between language skills, story comprehension skills, and theory of mind skills Capitalizing on your child's interests to keep them motivated The difference between modeling and teaching Impact of parental or household stress on children's development Parenting as a united front

In this episode of A Dad's Path podcast, Will Braunstein interviews Maria Sanders, a licensed social worker, and PCI-certified parent coach. Maria explains how she helps dadss navigate parenting challenges and emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and communicating with one's partner to establish a sense of partnership and shared goals.  She also highlights the importance of giving yourself and your child time to cool off before having a healthy conversation and what to do in a situation that requires immediate attention (e.g., one child is hitting another)  Maria also talks about some of the challenges she sees in relationships and encourages dads to move away from the perspective of "I am right, and he/she is wrong." Other highlights of our conversation include: 1. Some ideas for finding the balance between work and family. 2. How to help parents feel good about their interactions with their children. 3. The importance of advocating for yourself and communicating with your partner to establish a sense of partnership and shared goals. 4. The importance of a safe space for couples to talk so you can work together to find solutions and openly communicate. 5. Be curious, not furious: Instead of getting angry, stay calm and bring in curiosity 6. The importance of taking a pause and asking yourself, "I wonder what could be going on here?" 7. Instead of just reacting to problems, look for patterns and try to understand the root cause

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jon Wood, a devoted dad and husband who has worked hard to overcome struggles with anger while parenting a child with extreme ADHD. Jon shares his story and offers valuable insights and tips on how to manage anger and find ways to cope with parenting challenges.  We discuss the role of expectations in frustration and anger, the importance of being empathetic and understanding your child's perspective, and the need to recognize and manage triggers. We also talk about the helpfulness of therapy, medication, exercise, and finding ways to cope with stress and anger. Finally, we discuss the importance of honesty with your partner and seeking support from them, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care. Tune in to hear more from Jon as he shares his wisdom and experiences on navigating the ups and downs of parenting. ------------------ Find more Dad Podcasts from A Dad's Path, a website for dads.

Today we speak with Allen Carter, author of Letters from a Father, a collection of letters Allen wrote his children as they were growing up. This concept of writing your child letters sounds simple, but as you’ll hear, the impact can be tremendous. We discuss: The benefits of writing letters to children The importance of engaging with children in meaningful ways The value of reflecting on shared experiences The importance of self-reflection and self-improvement for fathers The role of vulnerability and authenticity in communication with children The impact of technology on communication with children Enjoy this conversation!  ------------------ Find more Dad Podcasts from A Dad's Path, a website for dads.

Today we speak with Michael Rucker, Author of the upcoming book The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life. Michael is a charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association and has been a follower of positive psychology for years. He realized that chasing happiness can actually make you less happy and can lead to mental illness after losing his younger brother and being told he needed a hip replacement. This inspiring conversation will hopefully get you in the "Fun Habit."  We discuss: Specific ideas to improve your base level of happiness and well-being. How giving your kids more autonomy can help with their joy. How to create "fun habits." The importance of focusing on activities that bring joy rather than seeking happiness directly. The potential negative effects of focusing on happiness during times of change or loss. The psychological research supporting the idea of having a bias toward joyful activities.  ------------------ Find more Dad Podcasts from A Dad's Path, a website for dads.

Today we speak with Eva Klein. Eva is a Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and founder of MySleepingBaby.com. Eva also offers a free online training for A Dad’s Path listeners. You can find it here: https://mysleepingbaby.ac-page.com/registration-page-v-2. Highlights Include: The importance of sleep for parents and their babies The challenges of being a sleep-deprived parent The potential benefits of seeking help from a sleep consultant Strategies for improving infant and child sleep The impact of sleep on overall mental and physical health Balancing the demands of parenting and maintaining a career or other personal goals Enjoy this eye-opening (and then hopefully eye-shutting) conversation! ------------------ Find more Dad Podcasts from A Dad's Path, a website for dads.