In this episode, I’m excited to share a special conversation I had with Ann Odom on her podcast, "The Reprogram."

Ann, a seasoned social worker, combines over two decades of experience with a unique blend of somatic experiencing, nervous system healing, and inner child work. This approach addresses the deep-seated memories stored in our bodies from past experiences.

I found our discussion incredibly enlightening and am thrilled to have her as a future guest on my show. For now, enjoy this insightful exchange.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• Connecting With Traumatized Children (04:34)
• Foster Connection And Brain Development In Children (10:25)
• Validating Children's Emotions (15:27)
• Helping Children Manage Emotions (17:20)
• The Importance Of Self-Love And Connection (22:18)
• Heart-Based Communication And Conflict Resolution (26:22)
• De-Escalating Conflicts (28:36)
• Effective Communication Techniques (34:15)
• Setting Limits And Boundaries (45:33)
• Maintaining Empathy And Understanding (47:34)
• Finding Balance Between Love And Limits (51:57)
• Parenting, Trauma, And Repairing The Body (56:41)
• Regulating Children's Emotions (1:02:23)
• Parenting, Neuroscience, And Emotional Regulation (1:07:25)
• Healthy Development (1:12:39)
• Parenting, Self-Awareness, And Personal Growth (1:17:11)
• Parenting Strategies For Challenging Children (1:21:57)

About Ann Odom

Ann Odom is a licensed therapist who specializes in supporting parents who don’t currently have the nervous system capacity to parent aligned with their values, no matter how much they read or learn.

Her approach is a unique blend of somatic experiencing, nervous system healing, and inner child and parts work to address the implicit memory stored in the body from lived experience. Through her individual sessions, podcast, workshops and Instagram presence, she is determined to bring gentleness to the generation parenting today, so that they can lighten up into love and rewire their protective nervous system to experience felt safety and support in their bodies so they can then, provide it to their people.

Connect with Ann Odom

Website: reprogrammedparent.com

Instagram: @the.reprogrammed.parent

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

In today's Q&A episode, we tackle a heartfelt and challenging topic that many families face.

Janine writes in with a situation that may resonate with many: her 10-year-old son holds a deep-seated resentment towards his 8-year-old sibling, simply for being born. This type of sibling rivalry can be devastating and perplexing for parents.

It's a common scenario we encounter at Connected Parenting, especially among families with what we refer to as 'gladiator kids'.

Join me as we delve into effective strategies and insights on how to navigate and resolve these intense feelings of animosity between siblings. We'll explore practical steps to foster reconciliation and understanding in your family, ensuring that each child feels valued and loved.

This episode is a must-listen for any parent grappling with the complexities of sibling relationships and are seeking to create a more harmonious home environment.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Different personalities + how to handle their conflicts (04:58)

Managing sibling rivalry + promoting cooperation (12:30)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

In today's episode, we're diving into an essential topic: self-awareness and how we, as parents, can gift to our children this crucial skill for fostering good mental health, strong social skills, and building resilience as they navigate the complexities of growing up.

By helping our children develop self-awareness, we empower them to handle life's challenges with confidence and grow into more grounded, emotionally intelligent adults.

Join me for an insightful conversation packed with actionable tips to support your child's personal growth.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Empathy + Emotional Regulation. (5:20)

Self Awareness Is Developmental (10:03)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

When we think of separation anxiety, we often think about leaving little kids at daycare. But I actually see in my practice, lots of kids that are much older, even 11 and 12, who have real separation anxiety, where they're worried if you go out for dinner, or a walk around the block, and they're in the house by themselves. They just can't do it and they need to know where you are all the time.

This can be a real problem for parents, and it can be a really hard thing for kids and if you can relate then join me for today's discussion; where we talk about separation anxiety in our children and what you can do about it.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Reducing Anxiety in Children (03:46)

Managing Childhood Anxiety (08:02)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Today, we’re revisiting a fan-favorite episode, featuring a special session with my daughter Zoe on the CALM technique.

Listen in as we delve into managing schedules and maintaining order. We'll role-play typical chaotic home scenarios, demonstrating the transformative effects of the CALM technique before and after its application.

If you’re new to the podcast or need a refresher on the biochemical principles that make the CALM technique so effective, I recommend checking out episodes one and two after this replay.

Join us again for this insightful look back!

Join me as we explore strategies for helping teens take charge of their screen use and discuss ways parents can maintain sanity while effectively guiding their children through the digital age.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Parenting Strategies + Child Development (5:17)

Parental Control + Teenage Independence (10:43)

Tracking A Teenager's Whereabouts (17:55)

Active Listening And Mirroring Techniques With Teenagers (20:54)

Mirroring In Parenting With Examples (24:33)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

A listener named Justin shared his frustration with his 13-year-old daughter's screen habits, feeling exhausted from constantly having to monitor her. He's also grappling with her claims that other parents are more lenient, leaving him questioning if strict rules hinder her ability to handle technology responsibly.

This is a common dilemma, and with recent alarming research on screen time effects, it's crucial to address.

Join me as we explore strategies for helping teens take charge of their screen use and discuss ways parents can maintain sanity while effectively guiding their children through the digital age.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Rise Of Mental Health Issues In Youth, Linked To Smartphone Use (2:11)

Teenage Brain Development + Social Media's Impact (6:15)

Teenage Addiction (10:45)

The Impact Of Social Media On Children's Brains (15:51)

Managing Teenagers' Screen Time (18:16)

Setting Phone Usage Limits (23:43)

Setting Screen Time Limits (28:20)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Today we are diving into the idea that as parents, we're essentially acting as substitute frontal lobes for our children.

After an Instagram short I posted went viral, I realized just how much this idea resonated with so many of you.

We are looking at:

Why are we more than just parents in the traditional sense?

What does stepping into the role of a substitute frontal lobe truly entail for us and our kids?

Why has nature designed our parenting roles this way?

Join me as we unravel these questions and explore the profound implications this perspective holds for our parenting journey.

Are you ready to look at parenting through a completely new lens? Let's get into it.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Brain Development + Reactive Responses (01:05)

Parenting + Brain Development (04:22)

Child Development + Parenting Strategies (07:48)

Adjusting Expectations For Children's Brain Development (11:12)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Amidst the complexities and generational gaps, the profound love and unique connections Grandparents share with us and our families hold immense importance to our growth and overall life experience.

Join me today to explore the richness of this relationship, examining the contrast between modern parenting and the practices of our parents' era, and discover ways to navigate these differences for a harmonious family dynamic.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Parenting Strategies + Their Impact On Children's Safety + Well-Being (1:20)

Grandparents Spoiling Kids (3:36)

Setting Boundaries With Parents + In-Laws (7:11)

Prioritizing Mental Health (8:54)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).