#11 Companionship Compass: Guiding Our Kids in Friendships and Beyond with Jessica

In this episode of the Odd Mom Pod, host Brittany interviews Jessica Speer, an author who focuses on helping preteens and teens navigate relationships, middle school, and technology. Jessica shares her personal background of growing up in an unstable home lacking emotional intelligence and how it influenced her parenting and career. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe emotional environment for children, the value of re-parenting oneself while parenting, and the concept of felt safety. The discussion covers Jessica's books, including 'BFF or NRF: A Girl's Guide to Happy Friendships,' which offers insights on managing friendships and dealing with common challenges. Jessica also shares her findings on middle school dynamics from her book 'Middle School Safety Goggles Advised,' and talks about her latest work, 'The Phone Book,' focusing on safe and mindful technology use for kids. The episode underscores the significance of mindfulness, self-awareness, and intentional action in parenting and personal growth.References: https://jessicaspeer.com/00:00 Welcome to the Odd Mom Pod: Empowering a New Generation00:39 Diving into Episode 11: A Limerick and Excitement for Today's Guest01:11 Meet Jessica Speer: Author, Mom, and Guide for Navigating Teen Relationships01:55 Jessica's Personal Journey: From Childhood to Empowering Her Kids03:00 Creating Emotional Safety and Healing Through Parenting08:31 Jessica Spear's Writing Journey: Empowering Girls in Friendships10:16 Navigating Friendships: The Friendship Pyramid and Healthy Relationships20:10 Implementing Friendship Groups: A Tool for Parents and Educators24:24 Understanding 'Not Really Friends' and Emotional Safety24:57 The Power of Change and Avoiding Labels25:42 Fostering Empathy and Understanding Others' Burdens27:02 Navigating the Complexities of Middle School Relationships29:11 Exploring Middle School Challenges Through Interactive Stories29:23 The Impact of Technology on Preteens and Teens36:25 Creating Healthy Digital Habits and Navigating Social Media44:27 The Importance of Emotional Safety and Mindfulness47:49 Concluding Thoughts and Resources for ParentsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-odd-mom-pod--6007077/support.