Episodios

  • Your Holiday Survival Q&A: Emotional Self-Regulation for the Whole Family

    Your Holiday Survival Q&A: Emotional Self-Regulation for the Whole Family
    Nov 27 2025

    In this Q&A follow-up to last week’s Thanksgiving special, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions about emotional self-regulation, holiday expectations, and the stress that comes with getting everyone together under one roof.


    You’ll hear quick, practical guidance on:


    • Managing holiday expectations so you don’t end up disappointed
    • How much to plan during winter break
    • Loosening screen limits without losing control
    • What to do about kids who refuse holiday meals
    • Teens who disappear the moment break starts
    • Handling gift-giving reactions and gratitude
    • Protecting your own energy and avoiding resentment
    • Resetting when the day goes off the rails


    If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, we hope your day feels manageable. If you’re outside the U.S., these questions apply to any big family gathering — December holidays, birthdays, and every festival that brings people together.
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    27 m
  • Making the Holidays Less Stressful for You and Your Kids

    Making the Holidays Less Stressful for You and Your Kids
    Nov 20 2025

    The holidays can feel like a marathon for parents — full of expectations, logistics, and emotions. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with clinical psychologist (and new parent) Dr. Kimberly Alexander about what she calls “running the gauntlet” of the holiday season.


    They unpack how to manage your own expectations, keep kids regulated, and handle tricky family moments — without losing your sense of humor or sanity.


    You’ll learn:


    • Why “know thy child” might be the best holiday mantra
    • How to balance structure and flexibility when school’s out
    • What to do when your child’s behavior doesn’t match your “perfect family” vision
    • How to set boundaries with relatives who take it personally
    • Tips for teaching gratitude and handling gift-giving meltdowns


    Dr. Alexander also shares what she calls “the Kim package” — her practical approach to balancing family needs, setting limits with grace, and remembering that every year looks different.


    Chapters (adjust as needed):

    00:00 – Welcome to Thriving Kids

    01:00 – Why the holidays can feel so intense for parents

    05:00 – The “perfect family” myth and social media pressure

    07:00 – “Know thy child”: tailoring expectations

    10:00 – Setting structure and boundaries that work

    13:00 – Handling relatives who push back

    17:00 – Teen dynamics and validation

    20:00 – Teaching gratitude (and managing disappointment)

    29:00 – Giving yourself grace


    Related resources:

    • childmind.org/article/helping-kids-cope-with-holiday-stress/
    • childmind.org/article/managing-family-stress-during-the-holidays/
    • childmind.org/article/helping-kids-cope-with-changes-in-routine/
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    33 m
  • Your Questions about Talking to Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety, Answered

    Your Questions about Talking to Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety, Answered
    Nov 13 2025

    Parents sent in smart, honest questions about how to keep conversations about sex, consent, and safety going at home. In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson from the Child Mind Institute answers questions about when to start, what’s age-appropriate, and how to talk about everything from consent to porn — without losing your kid’s trust.


    You’ll learn how to:

    • Start early with body boundaries and accurate language

    • Talk about consent in everyday life

    • Handle porn exposure and online curiosity

    • Balance privacy, safety, and your family’s values

    • Keep the door open even when teens roll their eyes



    Key topics


    • What age to start talking about sex and consent

    • How to explain the biology of reproduction without euphemisms

    • Setting boundaries and modeling consent in daily life

    • Talking about porn and online exposure without shame

    • Balancing privacy and safety with teens in relationships

    • How to share family values without sounding preachy

    • What to do if your teen is already sexually active

    • Keeping awkward conversations open and honest



    Resources mentioned


    Books

    • What Makes a Baby, Sex Is a Funny Word, You Know, Sex – Cory Silverberg

    • Being You and Yes! No! – Megan Madison


    Organizations & platforms

    • Peer Health Exchange

    • Selfsea – digital platform by Peer Health Exchange with stories and tools created with and for young people

    • Planned Parenthood – resources and education for sexual and reproductive health


    Further reading

    • How to Talk to Kids About Sex and Boundaries – Child Mind Institute

    • How to Talk to Your Kids About Porn – TIME, by Dr. Dave Anderson

    • Talk to Your Kids About Sex and Healthy Relationships – health.gov

    • The Best Sex Education Books for Kids of All Ages (And Their Parents!) – Parents / AAP
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    30 m
  • How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety

    How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety
    Nov 6 2025
    Talking to kids about sex, consent, and safety can feel intimidating — or like something you’d rather put off. But kids are already getting information from somewhere, and it’s not always accurate or safe. In this episode of Thriving Kids, clinical psychologist and host Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Angela Glymph, CEO of Peer Health Exchange, about how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations that protect kids, affirm who they are, and strengthen your relationship with them.They break down what “comprehensive sex education” really means, how to start early with body autonomy and consent, and how to keep the conversation going through elementary school, middle school, and the teen years — without needing to be a “perfect” expert.GuestDr. Angela Glymph is the CEO of Peer Health Exchange, a national youth nonprofit dedicated to helping young people stay safe, healthy, and affirmed — no matter who they are or where they live. Her work centers adolescent health equity, social-emotional learning, and youth-led, inclusive health education. She’s also a parent, navigating these conversations at home herself.In this episode, we discuss:What comprehensive sex education actually includes (it’s more than just “the talk”)Why medically accurate, truthful information keeps kids saferHow kids really learn about sex, consent, and relationships (school, peers, online, social media)The benefits of giving kids good information vs. leaving them to “figure it out”How to teach body autonomy and consent starting in early childhoodWhy using correct terms (like vulva, penis, sperm, egg) mattersHow to build on the conversation in elementary school, middle school, and beyondWhen and how to talk about contraception, STIs, and safetyWhy abstinence can be part of the conversation — but not the whole thingHow to respond if your teen is already sexually activeWhat to do if you feel too awkward or underqualified to have these talksThe myth that teens don’t want to talk to parents about sex (and why it’s wrong)Age-by-age: Laying the groundworkAges 3–5 (early childhood)Simple yes/no and body boundariesNaming body parts accurately (including genitals)Basic explanation of where babies come from using truthful, simple language (e.g., sperm and egg)Ages 6–8 (early elementary)Building on earlier explanations with more biologyTalking about different family structures and ways babies come into familiesNormalizing questions and curiosityAges 9–11 (upper elementary)Puberty: what’s happening in their changing bodiesFactual explanation of sexual intercourse and pregnancy in developmentally appropriate termsIntroducing contraception and safety basicsReinforcing body autonomy and boundariesAges 12+ (middle & high school)Relationships, identity, and decision-makingMore detailed conversations about contraception, STIs, and safer sexConsent in the context of romantic and sexual experiencesHow to think about risks, pressure, and personal valuesKey takeaways for parentsIf kids don’t get information from you or other trusted adults, they will seek it elsewhere — online, from peers, or pornography.Comprehensive sex education is lifesaving: it helps prevent unintended pregnancy, STIs, and sexual violence, and it builds communication skills kids use far beyond this topic.Using medically accurate terms normalizes the conversation and gives kids language to advocate for themselves and report if something is wrong.Abstinence is a valid choice and part of comprehensive education — but it shouldn’t be the entire message.You don’t have to do this alone: your pediatrician, your child’s school, faith community, and trusted adults (like an aunt/uncle or family friend) can all help.Teens may act like they don’t want to talk to you, but many do want open, nonjudgmental conversations — they’re also trying to figure out how to approach you.Resources mentioned in the episodeBooks for kids & familiesCory Silverberg – books about bodies, reproduction, and growing up (including What Makes a Baby and later titles for older kids and teens)Megan Madison – Being You and Yes! No! (early childhood books covering gender, consent, and body autonomy)Organizations & platformsPeer Health Exchange – comprehensive, inclusive, peer-led health educationSelfsea (selfsea.org) – Peer Health Exchange’s digital platform created with and for young people, including stories and resources on sex, consent, and talking to parentsPlanned Parenthood – education and resources for teens and parents on sexual and reproductive healthFurther readingTalk to Your Kids About Sex and Healthy Relationships – health.govhttps://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/sexual-health/talk-your-kids-about-sex-and-healthy-relationshipsThe Best Sex Education Books for Kids of All Ages (And Their Parents!) – Healthy Children / AAPhttps://www.parents.com/kids/health/best-sex-education-books-for-kids-by-age/How to Talk to Kids ...
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    37 m
  • Your Questions About Building a Healthy Parent-Teen Relationship, Answered

    Your Questions About Building a Healthy Parent-Teen Relationship, Answered
    Oct 30 2025

    In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about raising teenagers. Building on last week’s conversation with Dr. Lisa Damour, he shares research-backed guidance for navigating everything from therapy resistance and social media boundaries to privacy battles, motivation slumps, and shifting moods — all while keeping connection and communication strong at home.

    Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org

    What you’ll learn
    • How to approach therapy when your teen refuses to go
    • The best way to address vaping or substance use without pushing your teen away
    • What to do when school motivation swings from “I love it” to “I don’t care”
    • How to set limits around social media that actually stick
    • Ways to balance trust, privacy, and safety at home
    • How to support anxious teens without reinforcing avoidance
    • Signs that moodiness is typical vs. when it’s time to seek help
    • Why staying connected — even through protest — protects teen mental health

    Find related resources at childmind.org.
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    28 m
  • Staying Connected With Your Teen

    Staying Connected With Your Teen
    Oct 23 2025

    Adolescence can feel intense, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming for families. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist and best-selling author, to share compassionate, practical guidance on what most powerfully supports teen mental health. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Damour explains why strong, caring relationships with adults are the single biggest factor in teen well-being, and why social media is only one small part of a much bigger picture.

    Key topics include:
    • The number one protector of teen mental health: consistent, caring relationships with adults
    • How to put social media in perspective and keep connection at the center
    • What healthy coping looks like for teens and four red flags to watch for (substances, avoidance, taking distress out on others, taking distress out on themselves)
    • How to connect with teens through respect, transparency, and curiosity
    • What to do when your teen’s behavior pushes your buttons
    • The major developmental tasks of adolescence and how parents can support them
    • Practical ways to respond when emotions or situations get heated
    • How to keep showing up and maintain the bond that matters most

    Resources mentioned in this episode:
    Child Mind Institute resources on adolescent mental health
    More from Dr. Lisa Damour, including her books, podcast, and newsletter
    Rosalie, Dr. Damour’s AI librarian for guidance on raising teens
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    36 m
  • Your Questions About Children and Sleep, Answered

    Your Questions About Children and Sleep, Answered
    Oct 16 2025

    In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about kids and sleep. From breaking the habit of co-sleeping to tackling bedtime fears, setting routines that stick, and knowing when to drop naps, he offers practical strategies to make nights calmer for the whole family.

    Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org

    What you’ll learn:

    • Step-by-step ways to help kids learn to fall asleep independently
    • How to create a bedroom environment that promotes restful sleep
    • When a soothing bedtime routine turns into stalling—and how to handle it
    • Signs that nighttime fears are typical vs. when they signal anxiety
    • Why removing screens at night matters (and how to offer alternatives)
    • Clues your child may be ready to shorten or give up daytime naps
    • Tips for managing siblings with different sleep needs and schedules
    • How to respond when kids keep getting out of bed after lights out
    • The truth about weekend late nights and sleep-ins
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    29 m
  • Helping Kids Build Healthy Habits for Better Sleep

    Helping Kids Build Healthy Habits for Better Sleep
    Oct 9 2025

    Building healthy sleep habits is one of the most important and sometimes most challenging parts of parenting. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist, to share compassionate, practical guidance for families looking to improve their child’s sleep. Drawing on years of experience helping kids and parents, Dr. Harris explains why sleep matters for mental health, learning, and behavior, and how small changes can make a big difference.

    Key topics include:
    • Why sleep is essential for children’s growth, mood, and focus
    • How to create a sleep-friendly environment (and why “quiet, dark, cool, and comfortable” works)
    • The most common sleep challenges at every age and what really helps
    • How screens, routines, and even grandparents can impact your child’s sleep
    • What to do when your child wakes up too early, can’t fall asleep, or keeps leaving their room
    • When to worry about issues like snoring, night terrors, or persistent sleepwalking
    • Tips for modeling healthy sleep habits as a family
    • How to know when it’s time to seek help from a specialist

    Resources mentioned in this episode:
    The Child Mind Institute’s Sleep Resources
    More from Dr. Shelby Harris
    Positive Parenting: Building Healthy Routines
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    26 m