Connected Parenting

Today, I'm excited to share an insightful conversation with Laurie A. Couture, a licensed mental health counselor, author, and developer of the Couture Protocol.

Laurie specializes in childhood development, trauma, and attachment, providing crucial guidance to families and professionals serving children and youth.

Join us as we dig deeper into her groundbreaking approach to treating developmental and generational trauma and discuss how we can nurture and empower our children through holistic mental health practices.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Focusing On Attachment & Integration (08:45)
• The Impact Of Digital Technology On Brain Chemistry (16:58)
• Children's Brain Development & Attachment (26:56)
• Parenting Strategies For Screen Addiction & Chemical Addiction (31:14)
• The Importance Of Meeting Children's Needs (35:49)
• Strategies For Secure Attachment With Children (40:13)
• Emphasis On Spending Quality Time With Children (44:50)
• Parenting & Creating Positive Memories With Children (51:31)

About

Laurie A. Couture is a licensed mental health counselor and the author of Instead of Medicating and Punishing and the best seller, Nurturing and Empowering Our Sons. She is developing The Couture Protocol, an evidence-based, whole-child program of treating developmental and generational trauma in children, youths, and their families. Laurie provides consulting, presentations, training, and research reports to industries, agencies, and programs that directly serve children, youths, and families.

Connect with Laurie A. Couture



Website: https://laurieacouture.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurieacouture/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieACoutureAuthor/

Twitter: https://x.com/laurieacouture

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LaurieACouture

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Today, we're diving into the power of play, especially for kids with big emotions that feel too large for their small bodies to handle. These big-feeling kids often experience surges of emotion that can lead to outbursts, clinginess, or even cycles of frustration and shame.

But with the right kind of play, we can help them release these overwhelming feelings and teach them how to self-regulate.

In this episode, I’ll share specific, playful strategies designed to calm and engage children who have these intense emotional needs. Through therapeutic play, we can offer them a safe way to discharge pent-up energy and reset their emotional state, creating moments of connection and calm that help them—and us—break out of negative cycles.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Sensory Play for Kids with Big Feelings (00:00)

Understanding Kids' Emotional Surges (03:25)

Therapeutic and Sensory Play Ideas (04:29)

Additional Sensory and Grounding Techniques (08:28)

Outdoor and Low-Sensory Activities (10:56)

Teenagers and Adrenaline Play (14:34)

Resources and Final Thoughts (16:27)

Meet Jennifer Kolari



Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

A listener named Justin shared his frustration with his 13-year-old daughter's screen habits, feeling exhausted from constantly having to monitor her. He's also grappling with her claims that other parents are more lenient, leaving him questioning if strict rules hinder her ability to handle technology responsibly.

This is a common dilemma, and with recent alarming research on screen time effects, it's crucial to address.

Join me as we explore strategies for helping teens take charge of their screen use and discuss ways parents can maintain sanity while effectively guiding their children through the digital age.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Rise Of Mental Health Issues In Youth, Linked To Smartphone Use (2:11)

Teenage Brain Development + Social Media's Impact (6:15)

Teenage Addiction (10:45)

The Impact Of Social Media On Children's Brains (15:51)

Managing Teenagers' Screen Time (18:16)

Setting Phone Usage Limits (23:43)

Setting Screen Time Limits (28:20)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Whether it's tasting a new food, petting an unfamiliar dog, or watching a thrilling movie, each child faces unique challenges when it comes to taking risks.

But what if we could help them build the courage to face the new and unknown?

Imagine how those brief moments of bravery could boost their confidence and enrich their life experiences.

In this episode, we dive into the importance of strengthening this 'courage muscle' in children, especially those who are hesitant to take risks. We'll explore strategies to support them in trying new things, discovering joy, and overcoming their fears.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Building a Child's Courage Muscle (00:00)

Starting the Conversation and Setting Small Goals (03:08)

The Role of Imagination and Visualization (04:34)

Acting It Out and Maintaining a Playful Approach (06:29)

Parental Support and Neutrality (07:26)

Creating an Accomplishment Book (09:13)

The Long-Term Nature of Parenting (10:07)

The Importance of Risk-Taking and Growth (10:57)

Resources and Support (11:39)

Meet Jennifer Kolari



Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

In today's episode, we're diving into the world of fatherhood—the struggles, the joys, and the unique challenges that dads face.

Here to share his insights and perspectives on all things Dad, I am thrilled to welcome a very special guest who is incredibly important to me: my husband, Barrett.

So if you are a Dad or are soon to be a Dad this episode is for you.

Happy Father's Day!

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• Strategies For Connecting With Kids (0:00)
• Emphasizing Empathy And Connection (05:40)
• The Importance Of Dads (11:04)
• Taking Risks And Being Present (16:19)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).