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When it comes to understanding the terrible adversities that some kids face, like sibling sexual abuse, it is important to separate the facts from the hyperbole and the anecdotes that get used to generate fear or to gain attention. Trusted and proven sources of information are critical, and there is no more trusted source for this topic than the Sibling Aggression and Abuse Research and Advocacy Initiative (SAARA) at the Crimes against Children Research Center, a center that has been studying family violence and related topics since 1975. My guest today to share information and resources about sibling sexual abuse is Tanya Whitworth, a Research Scientist at SAARA and a generous guest and advocate. More information about Tanya and links to resources are at talkingaboutkids.com.

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Just under a year ago on Talking About Kids, the attorney Charles Jamieson recommend mediation, not litigation, to protect kids’ well-being during a divorce. My guest today, Karen McNenny, is a mediator and more. Karen is a Certified Divorce Coach, CoParenting Specialist, Crucial Conversations trainer, and Gracious Space facilitator. As you will hear, Karen is passionate about shifting the focus from “getting a divorce” to “being divorced,” because, she contends, it is everything that happens after the paperwork that really impacts kids. More information about Karen and divorce coaches is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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Where’s the Party, the latest children’s book from Scott Casperson, is described as the story of a cupcake rediscovering “joy within its community and the comfort of being alone.” That intrigued me, especially the part about finding comfort in being alone, so I read it. In this episode, Scott and I discuss his motivation for the book, my reaction, and the skills kids need to be content without screens or other people to entertain them. More information about Scott and his books is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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Talking About Kids is committed to the science of raising happy and healthy children and adolescents. Unfortunately, there are times when the best research seems out of sync with the needs of families. For example, it is rare for me to encounter the parent of a neurodivergent kid who is completely satisfied with their child’s diagnosis or the care their child is receiving. This is especially true for kids whose issues are defined by a combination of symptoms, some of which may be contradictory or shared by multiple syndromes. My guest today is Ethan Pompeo. Ethan has pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections or PANDAS. In this episode, Ethan describes how his and his family’s inability to find a suitable treatment for him eventually led them to CBD. Ethan and I discuss PANDAS, his experience with CBD, what CBD is and is not, the state of the research on CBD as a treatment for PANDAS and other conditions, and how Ethan’s company, Green Valley Nutrition, is helping advance the science. While researchers from groups like the Harvard Medical School agree that the available studies of CBD are promising, the consensus in the scientific community is that there is more to learn, which is why you should review the evidence yourself and consult with the care team before introducing CBD into a kid’s treatment regimen. More information about Ethan and links to Green Valley Nutrition and the other resource we cite are at talkingaboutkids.com.

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This is the fifth and final episode in a series of discussions I was lucky enough to have with esteemed developmental psychologist Debra Pepler in which she reflects on her research, experiences, and her approach to fostering positive outcomes for kids. In this episode, Deb talks about applying her developmental-relational approach in out-of-schooltime programs and in public policy. It builds on concepts explained in greater detail in the first two episodes of the series. More information about Deb is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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This is the fourth in a series of discussions with the eminent developmental psychologist Debra Pepler in which she reflects on her research, experiences, and her approach to fostering positive outcomes for kids. In this episode, Deb offers instructions for educators on applying her developmental-relational approach in the classroom. It builds on concepts explained in greater detail in the first two episodes of the series. The next and final episode will explore applying the developmental relational approach in public spaces and policies. More information about Deb is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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This is the third in a series of discussions with the developmental psychologist Debra Pepler in which she reflects on her research, experiences, and her approach to fostering positive outcomes for kids. In this episode, Deb offers insights for parents on how to apply her developmental-relational approach in the home. It builds on concepts that were explored in the previous episodes. The next episodes will explore applying the developmental-relational approach in the classroom, and in public spaces and policies. More information about Deb is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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This is the second in a series of discussions with the famed developmental psychologist Debra Pepler in which she reflects on her research, experiences, and her approach to fostering positive outcomes for kids. In this episode, Deb explains her developmental-relational approach and the concepts that are important to it. Subsequent episodes will explore how to apply this approach in the home, in the classroom, and in public spaces and policies. More information about Deb is at talkingaboutkids.com.