#33 Promoting Positive Peer Relationships, Individuality, and Mental Health in Your Children

"Look for the gold in every child." Ryan Dawson Welcome to the Parenting Well podcast with Parent Engagement Network!  I am Dr. Shelly Mahon, your host. Today’s well source is Ryan Dawson. Ryan is a counselor, therapeutic mentor, life coach, and educator in Boulder, Colorado. He is passionate about helping people discover their true selves and create deeper relationships.   For the last 20+ years, Ryan has worked extensively with adolescents and families as a youth advocate, school counselor, and family therapist, with a focus on empowering his clients through clear reflection and powerful tools to facilitate change. He’s also worked as a camp counselor, fitness trainer, swim instructor, and basketball coach. In addition to being a sought-after therapist, Ryan is a teacher: He has taught psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Naropa University, and speaks at high schools, treatment programs, and community organizations about psycho-social development, parenting strategies and the impact of technology on the developing brain. Ryan is currently inspired to “walk the talk” at home, where he lives with his supportive wife, Jill, and two young children, Ben and Avery.  In this podcast, we talk about: Changes in peer relationships due to technology. How to help your child find their "pod". The importance of staying in relationship with your children. The balance between monitoring and building independence and trust. Control versus teaching kids how to think through situations and potential risks. Approaching young people with curiosity instead of judgement The bi-directional nature of peer pressure. Resources: Website: https://www.elevatedstatecounseling.com/ Dunbar's number: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar%27s_number Book: Yes, Your Teen is Crazy! Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind by Michael J. Bradly: https://www.amazon.com/Yes-Your-Teen-Crazy-Without/dp/0936197447 Podcast: Tristan Harris-Your Undivided Attention  Book: Indistractible: How To Control Attention and Choose Your Life, by Nir Eyal