In today’s episode, we dive into a tough—but crucial—topic: how to talk to our kids about the difficult things happening in the world. From rising antisemitism to unsettling headlines, our children are absorbing more than we realize—and they’re looking to us for guidance, safety, and perspective.

Join me as we explore:

• 💬 Why silence doesn’t protect our kids—but thoughtful conversation can

• 🧒 Age-appropriate ways to open up the conversation

• 👂 Practical scripts for when you don’t know what to say

• 🙏 How to help your child feel safe, empowered, and proud to be Jewish

You’ll walk away with:

• Confidence to approach these conversations with clarity and calm

• Tools to strengthen your child emotionally and spiritually

• And a renewed understanding of the power of being a guiding voice in your child’s life

Whether your child is asking tough questions—or you’re wondering when and how to start the conversation—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and let’s walk this journey together.

As parents, we want our kids to know they are deeply loved, valued, and supported. But how do we show them—through our actions, words, and daily choices—that they are our priority? In this episode, we dive into what it means to truly "go to bat" for our kids, whether it's advocating for them at school, standing up for their needs, or simply being present in their everyday lives.

No matter what stage of parenting you're in, this episode will encourage you to take small, meaningful steps to make sure your kids know they matter—always.

Let’s keep the conversation going! Share your thoughts and experiences on Instagram @itsgilaross or email us at gilaross@gmail.com

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z --

Dr Ilyssa Bass is passionate about helping parents connect to their most difficult children.

After training as a clinical psychologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara and studying developmental psychology at Stanford University she thought she was super-prepared to be a mommy. But really, her kids taught her things academia never could have.

​In this episode packed full of wisdom and insights she talks us through 3 popular ideas about parenting complex kids and tells us which one is a lie.

To join her summit: drilyssabass.com/summit

Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! How do you teach values to your children in a positive way? Share your stories with us on Instagram @itsgilaross or send us an email at gilaross@gmail.com.

Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe. Your feedback helps us reach more parents like you who are striving to raise confident, values-driven kids.

Let’s navigate the parenting journey together—one teachable moment at a time!

Let me know if you'd like to expand on any section!

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z --

After a fabulous first episode, Chavie Bruk is back with some more wisdom about how to help our kids navigate difficult social situations and their mental health.

Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! How do you teach values to your children in a positive way? Share your stories with us on Instagram @itsgilaross or send us an email at gilaross@gmail.com.

Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe. Your feedback helps us reach more parents like you who are striving to raise confident, values-driven kids.

Let’s navigate the parenting journey together—one teachable moment at a time!

Let me know if you'd like to expand on any section!

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z --

In this insightful episode, we explore the delicate art of instilling values in our children while maintaining a positive and encouraging environment. Parenting is full of teachable moments, but how do we guide our kids toward making good choices without constantly correcting or scolding them when they misstep? We share practical strategies and inspiring insights to help parents model and teach values effectively, fostering a deeper connection and mutual respect within the family.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The importance of modeling the values you want your kids to learn.

• Positive reinforcement techniques that encourage good behavior.

Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! How do you teach values to your children in a positive way? Share your stories with us on Instagram @itsgilaross or send us an email at gilaross@gmail.com.

Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe. Your feedback helps us reach more parents like you who are striving to raise confident, values-driven kids.

Let’s navigate the parenting journey together—one teachable moment at a time!

Let me know if you'd like to expand on any section!

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z

Parenting with empathy is more than just understanding—it’s about connecting with your child on a deeper level, even during challenging moments. In this episode, we explore how to practice empathy in the real world and share practical exercises to help you build stronger, more compassionate relationships with your kids.

Join us as we discuss:

• What empathy in parenting really means and why it’s so essential.
• How to see the world through your child’s eyes, even when their behavior is frustrating.
• Practical exercises to enhance your empathetic responses in everyday situations.

Practical Exercises:

1. Pause and Reflect: When your child is upset, pause before reacting. Ask yourself, “What might they be feeling right now?”

1. Empathy Role-Play: Practice imagining yourself in your child’s shoes. Consider their perspective based on their age, personality, and experiences.

Reflection Questions:

• Are there moments where you could pause and approach the situation with more empathy?
• How can modeling empathy improve your relationship with your child?

Connect With Us:

• Follow us on Instagram @itsgilaross for more parenting tools and insights.
• Share your experiences or favorite empathy-building strategies at gilaross@gmail.com

Empathy isn’t just a skill—it’s a gift we can give to our children to help them thrive emotionally and build strong connections with others. Tune in and discover how to bring more empathy into your parenting journey!

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z Listening is one of the most powerful tools in parenting—but it’s often easier said than done. In this episode of The Confident Parent Podcast, we break down the three essential elements of effective listening and explore how mastering this skill can transform your connection with your kids.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you give your full attention when your child talks to you?
• How do you react when your child shares difficult emotions?
• Are there ways you can model good listening skills in your daily interactions?

Actionable Tips:

1. Be Present: Put away your phone, make eye contact, and use body language that shows you’re engaged.
2. Use Reflective Listening: Repeat back what your child says in your own words to confirm understanding.
3. Pause Before Responding: Resist the urge to interrupt or jump in with advice; sometimes silence is the best tool.

Connect With Us:

• Follow us on Instagram: @itsgilaross for parenting tips and episode updates.
• Share your feedback or stories about using incentives by emailing gilaross@gmail.com

Listening is a skill that builds connection and confidence—for both you and your child. Tune in to learn how to make this powerful tool a part of your parenting approach!

Check out my book, Living Beautifully! https://amzn.to/49zrC6z

Should parents use incentives to motivate their kids? And if so, what kind of incentives work best, and when are they appropriate? In this episode, we dive into the often-debated topic of incentives in parenting. We explore the balance between fostering intrinsic motivation and using external rewards to encourage good behavior or achieve goals.

Join us as we unpack:

• The pros and cons of using incentives.
• Different types of incentives—material rewards, experiences, praise, and privileges.
• Guidelines for using incentives to empower kids rather than create dependency.

Reflection Question:

• How can you connect the use of incentives to your family’s values and goals?

Connect With Us:

• Follow us on Instagram: @itsgilaross for parenting tips and episode updates.
• Share your feedback or stories about using incentives by emailing gilaross@gmail.com

Using incentives is not just about getting kids to comply—it’s about helping them grow into motivated, self-driven individuals. Tune in to this episode for practical insights and strategies to make incentives a meaningful part of your parenting toolkit!