Parents of the Year

Today on Parents of the Year, despite Caroline having forgotten their anniversary, she and Andrew discuss the intricacies of maintaining a strong and loving relationship amidst the whirlwind of parenting and busy schedules. From the significance of trust and communication to the art of finding joy in the small moments, they share personal anecdotes and insights on building a resilient partnership.
Whether it's through forgotten anniversaries turned into cherished memories, the balancing act of shared responsibilities, or the unexpected humour that life throws their way, this episode is a candid exploration of love, partnership, and the daily choices that strengthen bonds. Tune in for an honest reflection on making it work, the importance of support, and the magic found in life's simplest pleasures.
And, if you're looking for more concrete ideas on how to keep the marriage alive despite busy schedules, check out Caroline's blog post on this topic: https://korupsychology.ca/keep-marriage-alive/

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK
Follow us on Twitter @POTYPodcast and be sure to join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Join Dr. Caroline Buzanko in an enlightening conversation with Andra McHugh, founder of the Eczema Kids brand and host of the Eczema Kids podcast. In this episode, Andra shares her personal journey navigating her children’s severe eczema and how it inspired her to create resources that help other families. Discover practical advice on dietary changes, skincare routines, and environmental adjustments that can dramatically improve the quality of life for children suffering from eczema. Andra emphasizes the importance of holistic approaches, including food combining and the avoidance of certain irritants, offering hope and actionable solutions to parents facing similar struggles.
About Andra McHugh
A matcha-sipping, veggie-loving mom of four, Andra transformed her family's struggle with severe eczema into a mission to promote healthier, happier childhoods. As the host of the popular Eczema Kids podcast and the founder of a related brand, Andra offers a blend of scientific insight and heartfelt empathy. Her approach, honed through meticulous research and real-world experimentation, focuses on natural solutions and simple home remedies that empower parents to reclaim their children's health. Her expertise spans diet, nutrition, and practical wellness hacks, making her a unique resource for families facing similar challenges.
Eczema Kids Apple Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eczema-kids-natural-eczema-solutions-eczema-diet-eczema/id1607911865)

Eczema Kids Website: https://eczemakids.com

The Clear Skin Kids Course: Learn how to reduce inflammation, reverse your child's eczema symptoms, create a toxin-free environment and identify the root cause of your kid's skin condition so you can stop the itch/scratch cycle and HEAL your child from the inside out. https://eczemakids.com/workwithme

Eczema Kids Skin Comfort System: A trio of products designed to soothe itch and staph, build the skin microbiome and skin barrier, improve lymphatic flow as well as deeply moisturize eczema skin. All products are free of tree nuts, preservatives and infused with time-honored herbs and bioavailable nutrients. https://eczemakids.com/soothing-skincare

Join the facebook group: Eczema Solutions for Kids, Natural Healing and Comfort https://www.facebook.com/groups/3218060598452484

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK
Follow us on Twitter @POTYPodcast and be sure to join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Today on Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline chat with guest expert Kevin Peterson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as he shares his personal journey through addiction, resilience, and ultimately, recovery.

Kevin delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the importance of accountability in parenting, and the critical role of professional guidance in navigating addiction within families. This episode offers hope and actionable strategies for individuals and families grappling with similar challenges. (And yes, they chat about SCREEN addiction too!)

Listen in as they uncover the power of resilience and the path to a healthier, more fulfilling life.
About Kevin
Kevin Petersen, MA, LMFT, is the founder of The Chronic Hope Institute, which provides family addiction coaching for families in crisis due to addiction and codependency. In 2011, Kevin graduated with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Regis University, and he spent three and a half years working at Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health Network as an in-home therapist, case manager, crisis evaluator and outpatient therapist for Child and Family Services. Kevin has also worked part-time for The Bridge House, ADMHN's Acute Treatment Unit, as a Mental Health Technician and Counselor. In 2014, Kevin opened his private practice, Petersen Family Counseling, which specializes in working with families and individuals struggling with addictions, codependency, and parenting. Kevin has published two books: Chronic Hope: Parenting the Addicted Child and Chronic Hope: Families & Addiction, which share an integrated, holistic approach to healing families in crisis due to addiction and codependency.

Kevin established The Chronic Hope Institute in 2020 with a mission to help families in crisis through family addiction coaching. Dedicated to strengthening the family system, Kevin turns helplessness into hope.

If you are struggling with an addict and need a plan, contact The Chronic Hope Institute at www.ChronicHope.us.

Kevin began his journey of recovery in May 1991 and has been sober ever since. He lives in Florida with his wife, Amy, and three Boston Terriers Bert, Blanche and Stella.

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK
Follow us on Twitter @POTYPodcast and be sure to join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

Welcome to another episode of Parents of the Year, “where Andrew and Caroline bring insightful discussions about the challenges and joys of parenthood. Today we have a critical and increasingly relevant topic to discuss: the teen mental health crisis and the correlation with parents’ mental health.

According to the World Health Organization, globally, anxiety and depression are the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Additionally, suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds. These statistics are not just alarming for the teens but also indicative of a larger systemic issue affecting families.

The emotional and psychological well-being of a teen is intricately linked to that of their parent(s). Depressed teens are five times more likely to have a parent who is also struggling with depression.

In today’s episode, Andrew and Caroline discuss the state of the world today and the importance of parents identifying their core values and creating a home everyone looks forward to returning to—a home that is safe, non-judgmental, and fully accepting. Caroline also wrote an article for those interested in learning the most important actionable strategies we need to implement to support both teens and parents (https://korupsychology.ca/teen-mental-health-crisis/).

Don't miss this episode for safeguarding your family's mental well-being.

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK
Follow us on Twitter @POTYPodcast and be sure to join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

In today's episode, Caroline forgot to change the mic settings so only she can be clearly heard.
And, once again, Caroline takes the conversation sideways as she debriefs about her earlier conversation with one of her kids' teachers. Nonetheless, the conversation ends up getting to key takeaways we can think about as we support our children and teens on the academic journey.
At the end of the day, no matter what kind of teacher our child has, it is important we take the steps to build the parent-teacher relationship as much as we can, whether our children are in grade 1 or grade 11. Coming in with fists swinging will never get anyone anywhere. Showing respect while maintaining an open, collaborative stance is critical.
We can also help our children build key skills themselves. They all need to learn to advocate for themselves and ask for help - this skill is essential to promote their academic success. They also need to build their tolerance for uncomfortable feelings that come with advocating for themselves and having difficult conversations. And, of course, our children need to learn to problem-solve tricky situations themselves before we come swooping in.
Caroline ends with a very important point that she hopes all parents hear.
If you'd like more ideas about building the relationship with teachers, see Caroline's blog post on this topic. (Although the focus of the article is debriefing a child's diagnosis of ADHD to the school, there are relationship-building points that are applicable to all).

Enjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK
Follow us on Twitter @POTYPodcast and be sure to join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526