In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline dig into the rise of AI and how it’s reshaping our daily lives, relationships, and even parenting.

From the clickbait story of a marriage ending “because of ChatGPT,” to the quiet ways technology chips away at memory, empathy, and connection, this conversation is equal parts cautionary and practical. They explore how AI can be a helpful tool—but also why it should never replace genuine human interaction.

Most importantly, they share how families can protect their relationships, model authentic communication, and return to the simple, everyday gestures that build trust and love.

Homework Activities for Adults

Tech-Free Check-In: Schedule a weekly family or partner debrief—share the good, the hard, and what support you need. Phones off.

Face-to-Face First: Swap texting with short calls when possible, and encourage kids to practice real conversations.

Connection Rituals: Create small rituals (morning walks, after-school tea, family dinners) that strengthen bonds.

Memory Workout: Use paper maps, cook without recipes, or play memory games to keep cognitive skills sharp.

Relationship Roots: Bring back “early courtship” habits—small notes, thoughtful gestures, shared jokes—that keep love alive.

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Parenting expert and therapist Todd Sarner joins Andrew and Caroline to unpack what it really means to guide children without shame or punishment.

From his 20+ years of experience, Todd outlines the three pillars of proactive parenting: strengthening attachment and connection, creating a rhythm and environment that supports kids, and teaching natural consequences without shame.

Together, they explore how separation anxiety shows up at bedtime, mornings, and school transitions, and why “collect before you direct” can change everything. This episode gives parents practical tools to reduce power struggles, hold boundaries with empathy, and raise resilient, emotionally secure kids.

Homework Ideas

Collect Before You Direct: Practice greeting your child warmly (eye contact, smile, touch) before asking them to do something.

Bridging Practice: At goodbyes (bedtime, school drop-off), give your child a clear picture of when and how you’ll reconnect (“I’ll see you in two sleeps” / “When you get home, I’ll have a snack waiting for you”).

Reset Routine: If family rules and follow-through feel inconsistent, hold a “reset” talk with your child: acknowledge the inconsistency, clarify expectations, and explain what will happen moving forward.

Matter-of-Fact Consequences: Next time you enforce a limit, do it calmly and without shame — like Columbo, keep it simple, warm, and firm.

Empathy Check: After holding a boundary, add empathy: “I know this is hard. I love you, and I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

Recommended Resources:

• Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Mate
• Parenting with Love and Logic by Charles Fay & Foster Cline
• Parenting Teens with Love and Logic by Charles Fay & Foster Cline

About Todd

Todd Sarner is a parenting coach and psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping families turn daily power struggles and emotional chaos into connection, calm, and cooperation at home. His work is grounded in attachment science and practical psychology, with a focus on giving parents real-world tools that actually work—especially when emotions are high and patience is low. Todd was an original intern of renowned developmental psychologist Dr. Gordon Neufeld and later served as a Faculty Member of the Neufeld Institute, where he trained professionals in attachment-based approaches to parenting.

www.transformativeparenting.com

www.masterclassforparents.com

www.facebook.com/tparenting

www.instagram.com/tparenting

www.x.com/tparenting

www.linkedin.com/in/toddsarner/

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When should parents step in and request a teacher change for their child?

In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline break down one of the most difficult decisions many families face: advocating for a classroom change.

They share their own recent personal experience navigating a challenging teacher-student dynamic that left their child anxious, tearful, and resistant to school.

Together, they explore:

• The difference between normal classroom struggles vs. true red flags.
• Why “not having friends in class” isn’t enough of a reason.
• How to tell when your child’s learning and emotional well-being are at risk.
• Practical steps for approaching school administrators with confidence and clarity.
• The importance of balancing resilience with advocacy.

Whether you’re a parent currently struggling with this decision, or simply preparing for the “what if,” this candid conversation will leave you better equipped to support your child while maintaining healthy partnerships with teachers and schools.

If you're thinking of making a request:

• Reflect on Your Child’s Situation: Write down concrete examples of your child’s school experiences (e.g., emotional distress, avoidance, patterns of conflict). Separate opinion from observable facts.
• Debrief with Your Child: Have a calm conversation asking open-ended questions (“How do you feel in this class?” “What makes it hard?”). Avoid immediately offering solutions.
• Assess Severity: Distinguish between everyday discomfort (not being with friends, occasional teasing) and serious concerns (consistent bullying, ongoing tears, refusal to learn).
• Plan Your Approach: Draft an email or talking points for administrators that include specific examples instead of general complaints.
• Collaborate First: List at least 3 questions you’ll ask the teacher to understand their perspective and strategies before requesting any changes.

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College debt can haunt young adults and their parents for decades—but it doesn’t have to.

Today on Parents of the Year, Shellee Howard, founder of University Ready and author of How to Send Your Student to College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money, joins Andrew and Caroline to share her practical, proven strategies for helping kids graduate debt-free.

From strategic college tours and early family conversations about money to leveraging scholarships, community service, leadership, and international education opportunities, Shellee shows how intentional planning can transform college from a financial nightmare into an exciting, affordable opportunity.

Homework Ideas:

• Early Exposure & Conversations: Visit colleges informally whenever travelling (even just walking around campus). Start casual, pressure-free conversations about college from a young age, focusing on growth and experiences, not just academics.
• Family Money Conversations: Discuss openly what college means financially for your family. Have teens research tuition, scholarships, cost of living, and expected salaries for careers they’re interested in. AND, prioritize early where to spend and save money.
• Identify Scholarship Opportunities: Help your child identify their strongest skills (academic, leadership, sports, community service). Create a list of scholarship opportunities aligned to these strengths.
• Virtual College Tours: Use virtual tour apps to explore international universities early without cost. Identify top schools and consider a real-life visit only if they’re seriously interested or concerned about safety.
• Plan B & C Strategy Session: With your child, create multiple backup plans for college choices, scholarships, and financial options. Include scenarios like injury, job loss, or other unexpected events to teach realistic, flexible thinking.

About Shellee Howard

Shellee Howard is the founder of College Ready and a Certified Educational Consultant who helps high-achieving families send their kids to college without debt. With over 17 years of experience and four debt-free college grads of her own, she specializes in guiding complex teens toward top-tier schools with a personalized, strategic approach. Her proven Stand Out Strategy™ aligns academics, emotional readiness, and financial planning to turn college confusion into clarity.

Podfolio Link: podfol.io/profile/shellee-howard

Website: www.collegereadyplan.com

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parents-is-your-teen-college-ready/id1622261244

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward

Instagram: www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@collegereadyplan

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In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline unpack the trending term "FAFO parenting" (F*@$% around and find out). They break down the difference between logical and natural consequences and why using threats or shame in the name of "teaching lessons" misses the mark.

This conversation dives into the importance of empathy, how to raise kids who think for themselves, and why it's not your job to micromanage—but also not your job to set them up for failure. You'll hear personal examples, parenting slip-ups, and real moments that matter in teaching kids how to handle life while keeping the relationship strong.

Homework Ideas:

• Open-ended questions: Instead of "Put your coat on," ask, "What’s the weather like today? What do you think you should wear?"
• Natural consequence check: Pause before you intervene. Is this dangerous? If not, let the situation teach the lesson.
• Empathy over ego: When your kid says, "I'm freezing," drop the "I told you so." Say, "Yeah, that sucks." Then circle back tomorrow: "What did you learn from yesterday?"
• Homework ownership: Don’t track assignments. Let them face the teacher, not your nagging.
• Food prep independence: Ask weekly: "What do you need for lunches/snacks this week?" Let them plan and pack.

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Are you ready to kickstart the new school year with ease and confidence?

Today we recast an episode of Caroline's Overpowering Emotions podcast episodes where she presents valuable tips and strategies to ensure a smooth back-to-school transition.

If you haven't already, check out these additional resources:

• Comprehensive guide to conquering back-to-school anxiety: https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/conquerschoolanxiety
• Critical routines your children need to develop: https://korupsychology.ca/essential-routines-for-success-and-well-being/

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Parenting is full of worries—before kids, during the thick of it, and as they grow up and leave home.

In this candid episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline share their biggest fears, regrets, and surprises from each stage of parenting. From anxieties about dropping the baby or coyotes sneaking off with them, to raw reflections on anger, mistakes, and letting go as teens gain independence, this conversation will resonate with any parent who has ever asked: Am I messing this up?

The episode is both lighthearted and deeply real, reminding us that kids don’t need perfect parents—they need present ones. If you’ve ever wrestled with guilt, laughed at your own ridiculous parenting worries, or felt the sting of kids growing too fast, this one is for you.

Homework Ideas:

Pocket of Presence Challenge: Each day this week, create one small pocket of full presence with your child—no phones, no multitasking. Even 5–10 minutes counts.

Mosaic Moments Journal: At the end of each day, jot down one tiny moment with your child that felt meaningful (a laugh, a car ride, a shared silence). Over time, watch how they form a mosaic of connection.

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In this special recast episode of Parents of the Year, Caroline explains how boredom is actually a biological signal, not something to avoid or fix. Learn how boredom supports emotional regulation, executive functioning, creativity, and mental well-being—for both kids and adults.

Learn:

* What boredom really means in the brain and body

* Why screens increase boredom (and emotional dysregulation)

* How boredom supports creativity, problem-solving, and identity formation

* Tips to help kids (and yourself) tolerate and embrace stillness

* Why sitting in boredom is essential for emotion regulation

Homework & Resources

• Schedule daily "do-nothing" breaks: 3–5 minutes of intentional stillness—no phones, music, or multitasking. Just breathe, notice, and pause.
• Model boredom tolerance: Say “I’m bored too—let’s sit with it together” (even if you aren’t). Normalize the emotion without rushing to fix it. Who knows what spark might happen!
• Reframe the language: Instead of “I’m bored,” try “I’m resetting” or “I’m giving my brain a break.” Teach this shift to your kids.
• Observe your own reaction to kids’ boredom: Are you rushing to solve it? Sit with that discomfort too.
• Create a boredom menu: Use the resource below as a proactive list of creative activities kids can reference before they feel bored. Designed to spark curiosity after rest—not replace it. https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/how-to-thrive-covid-19-119-activities-to-engage-your-kids/
  

And, bonus, get the Free Conquering Back-to-School Anxiety Guide: https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/5760738d1f

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