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Dr. Sam Goldstein & Dr. Robert Brooks: The Importance of Children’s Resilience | Raising Parents #24

Nadine Aref — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 04:04:41 +0000

Explore parents’ role in nurturing children’s resilience with experts Dr. Sam Goldstein and Dr. Robert Brooks. Discover effective strategies for fostering emotional regulation and self-discipline in kids.

Meet Dr. Robert Brooks and Dr. Sam Goldstein

Dr. Robert Brooks is an author, a psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and a former Director of the Department of Psychology at McLean Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital in the Boston area. He has lectured nationally and internationally to audiences of parents, educators, mental health professionals, and business people on topics pertaining to motivation, resilience, family relationships, the qualities of effective leaders and executives, and balancing our personal and professional lives.

Dr. Sam Goldstein is a licensed psychologist in Utah and a certified Pediatric Neuropsychologist. He is also listed in the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and the New York Times bestselling author of Raising Resilient Children: The Power of Resilience – Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life.

About the episode

In this episode of Raising Parents, Dr. Sam Goldstein and Dr. Robert Brooks discuss the importance of resilience and incorporating true life experiences in books. Their books construct frameworks, allowing people to easily and effectively understand different concepts and lessons about different aspects of resilience and human development.

Dr. Robert and Dr. Sam point out that resilience can be defined differently depending on the person, entertaining the possibility of applying resilience to child-rearing. They state that it is important for a child to grow around a strong, supportive, and charismatic adult. They also state that the statistical basis of resilience is influenced by a number of factors. Dr. Robert and Dr. Sam also touch upon the challenges of parenting.

Dr. Robert and Dr. Sam advocate addressing mental health issues in children due to the rising rates of depression. They draw a distinction between boundaries and responsible parenting, explaining that accepting children is not synonymous with ignoring difficulties altogether.

Dr. Robert and Dr. Sam define tenacity as the willingness to stay the course despite the present challenges. In the book, they also explore seven human survival instincts. Dr. Robert and Dr. Sam suggest cultivating seven positive instincts in both children and adults: intuitive optimism, compassionate empathy, genuine altruism, virtuous responsibility, measured fairness, and simultaneous intelligence.

Dr. Robert and Dr. Sam move on to intelligence, highlighting that it is about critical thinking and problem-solving rather than merely having excess information. They encourage having a comprehensive understanding of intelligence and learning styles, shedding light on homeschooling as a personalized learning approach.

Towards the end of the episode, Dr. Robert and Dr. Sam underscore the importance of healthy competition, explaining how understanding and embracing such emotions can improve interpersonal relationships and overall well-being.

In conclusion

This episode explores the importance of cultivating resilience from an early age, offering valuable insights and strategies for better parenting. It also tackles the importance of striking a balance between guidance and acceptance with children, highlighting the importance of cultivating seven main positive human instincts in children and adults alike.

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Liz Freisen, B.S. Environ.Econ.Policy., M.S.: Vermicomposting for Home and Garden | On the House #17

Putri Yuni — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:12:10 +0000

This episode is all about the fascinating and eco-friendly practice of vermicomposting. The host, Gabriella Joustra, welcomes Liz Freisen, an Environmental Economics and Policy expert who shares her passion for sustainable living.

Meet Liz Freisen, B.S. Environ.Econ.Policy., M.S.

Liz Freisen is an environmentalist who focuses on sustainability and public policy. Her diverse professional background includes corporate sustainability, compliance, and nonprofit work. Liz is known for her hands-on approach to environmentalism, such as composting with worms.

She has been featured in notable publications, including Glamour Magazine, Ranger Rick, and the Pearson environmental textbook, The Environment and You. Additionally, Liz writes books for children and advocates for mental wellness through her initiative, “Big Talk Books.” You can learn more about her work at bigtalkbooks.com.

About the episode

Liz breaks down the concept of vermicomposting into manageable steps, debunking common misconceptions. She explains the vermicomposting process as using red wiggler worms to transform food scraps into nutrient-rich soil, or “castings.” She highlights the key benefits of this sustainable practice, including its environmental impact by diverting organic waste from landfills, its practical application for urban dwellers with limited space, and its ability to improve soil quality.

By diverting food waste from landfills, this practice helps reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change. This not only has a positive impact on the environment but also offers a practical solution for urban residents who may struggle to find ways to manage their organic waste.

Liz emphasizes that the nutrient-rich castings produced by the worms can greatly enhance soil quality, improving water retention by up to 30%. This makes the castings incredibly valuable for plants and gardens, providing a natural and sustainable way to nourish the soil.

However, she doesn’t shy away from sustainable living challenges. She acknowledges the compromises she has made as a parent, such as using disposable diapers. She offsets this by minimizing other waste through second-hand purchases and thoughtful consumption.

How vermicomposting works:

Worms are housed in a bin with damp, shredded newspaper or cardboard as bedding.
Food scraps (excluding meat, dairy, or oily foods) are added in small amounts.
Worms consume the scraps, converting them into castings, which enrich the soil.

What to compost:

Suitable items: Vegetable peels, coffee grounds, banana peels, eggshells (crushed).
Unsuitable items: Meat, dairy, citrus, onions, garlic, and oily foods.

She advises listeners to feed their worms in moderation, avoid overloading the bin, and keep the bedding damp. According to her, these are all crucial elements for maintaining a healthy and thriving worm colony.

In conclusion

Whether you’re an urban dweller, a budding environmentalist, or simply curious about reducing your household waste, this episode on vermicomposting is a treasure trove of practical knowledge and heartfelt inspiration.

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Dr. Jennifer Hartstein: Children Suicidal Tendency | Raising Parents #17

Badr Salah — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 03:21:21 +0000

When considering suicidal tendencies, they are often linked to adults, but here’s the thing: children and teenagers can also experience such feelings. As responsible adults, it becomes your responsibility to provide them with support and help them cope with their challenges.

Meet Dr. Jennifer Hartstein

Dr. Jennifer Harstein is a highly regarded child, adolescent, and family psychologist in New York.

Dr. Jennifer primarily focuses on working with teenagers and plays a crucial role as a safe and supportive adult, guiding them through challenging times.

Dr. Jennifer has a compassionate and practical approach to parenting. She believes in guiding children while giving them the space to grow and learn from their mistakes.

About the episode

In this episode hosted by Dina Sargeant, Dr. Jennifer delves into the sensitive topic of suicidal ideation.

Dr. Jennifer emphasized that parents play a pivotal role as the first line of defense in supporting their children. She also highlighted the behavioral changes in children that may serve as a red flag.

Dr. Jennifer discussed the influence of media on suicide misconceptions and the rise of suicidal thoughts in 11 and 12-year-olds due to bullying and social media.

Dr. Jennifer presented a parenting approach that includes various techniques for managing suicidal thoughts in children.

In conclusion

It’s concerning to see younger people grappling with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Parents and families must offer struggling children support, guidance, and understanding. To promote well-being, it is crucial to prioritize trust, connections, boundaries, and self-care. Creating a safe and supportive environment begins with encouraging open communication.

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