Parent Trapped - Managing Pandemic Anxiety, Stress-Free TV, Hug a Tree

Managing Pandemic Anxiety, Stress-Free TV, Hug a Tree

05/20/20 • 21 min

During a pandemic, there's so much to be stressed about. Dr. Dave Anderson of the Child Mind Institute has some strategies for keeping your anxiety in check—including one that involves eating a sandwich! Plus, some de-stressy family TV suggestions from Polly Conway from Common Sense Media. And then the director of the Icelandic Forest Service Þröstur Eysteinsson shares his tips on using trees to your advantage.

After the show:

Read our review of The Good Place (age 12+).
For quirky animated shows that deal with really big stuff, check out Adventure Time (10+) or Steven Universe (10+).
For fantasy shows where the natural world gives you superpowers, we love Avatar (13+), Legend of Korra (8+), and Dragon Prince (10+).
And for older kids who love animated shows, Polly suggests some classics like Bob's Burgers (13+), The Simpsons (12+), and King of the Hill (13+).
Read the BBC report "Icelanders urged to hug trees to overcome isolation."

And we want to hear your tips and suggestions! Do you have a special way to deal with anxiety? What are YOU watching with your kids? Send your questions and tips—especially the strange ones—to [email protected], and we might invite you on the show.

Parent Trapped was brought to you by founding sponsor First Republic Bank. To learn more about their services, visit http://firstrepublic.com

After the show:

Read our review of The Good Place (age 12+).
For quirky animated shows that deal with really big stuff, check out Adventure Time (10+) or Steven Universe (10+).
For fantasy shows where the natural world gives you superpowers, we love Avatar (13+), Legend of Korra (8+), and Dragon Prince (10+).
And for older kids who love animated shows, Polly suggests some classics like Bob's Burgers (13+), The Simpsons (12+), and King of the Hill (13+).
Read the BBC report "Icelanders urged to hug trees to overcome isolation."

Parent Trapped was brought to you by founding sponsor First Republic Bank. To learn more about their services, visit http://firstrepublic.com

Previous Episode

Unveiling Invisible Work, Husband Education, Edible Surprises

What happens when the invisible work of mothers becomes visible during a pandemic? Better Life Lab director Brigid Schulte says now is the perfect time for couples to dream up better ways to share responsibilities at home. Then, Common Sense's Editor-in-Chief Jill Murphy recommends some great content for Mom that is not about being a mom. Plus, the perfect recipe for the parent who claims they can't cook: All you need is a hotdog and six raw sticks of spaghetti.

After the show:

Read Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time by Brigid Schulte.
Subscribe to Brigid's podcast, Better Life Lab.
Need a new TV Show? Jill Murphy from Common Sense recommends Working Moms on Netflix and I'm Sorry from TruTV.
Who are your favorite TV moms? Tweet them at us with the hashtag #ParentTrapped.

Do you have an equivalent of Spaghetti Hot Dog Surprise? Or maybe a new way to keep your kids busy while you cook? Send your tips and questions to [email protected] and we might invite you on the show.

Parent Trapped was brought to you by founding sponsor First Republic Bank. To learn more about their services, visit http://firstrepublic.com

Next Episode

Rob Huebel, Grace Lin, and the COVID Slide

With the school year coming to an end, parents and caregivers might be feeling a mix of relief and worry: relief that they no longer have to play makeshift teacher ... and worry that they didn't do enough to help their kids learn this year. In today's episode, Amanda Morin from Understood shares tips on how to support your kids in these last few weeks of whatever school is now ... and whatever summer is going to be. Understood is an organization that provides support for children with disabilities and learning and attention issues like dyslexia and ADHD.

Plus award-winning children's book author Grace Lin joins us to spice up learning at home -- by giving kids a chance to speak to their favorite writers.

And comedian Rob Huebel has some tricks for getting through the monotony of spending every freakin' day with your kids.

After the show:

Read over these important developmental milestones from the folks at Understood.
Grace Lin is the author of the Ling and Ting series (age 5+) and middle-grade novels like Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (age 10+), which received a Newbery Honor.
Grace Lin's podcast is called Kids Ask Authors. To find out how your kids can submit their questions or get their own work featured on the show, visit kidsaskauthors.com.
Follow Rob Huebel on Instagram for more of his parody videos like "Crafts for Kids!" (Heads up! These videos are actually for adults.)

And we want to hear your tips and suggestions! Send your questions and tips—especially the strange ones—to [email protected], and we might invite you on the show.

Parent Trapped was brought to you by founding sponsor First Republic Bank. To learn more about their services, visit http://firstrepublic.com.