The A-Parently Podcast

More men are present in their children's lives today than ever before. This is something to celebrate, but it is important to recognize how many of these fathers may be lost, unsure, and making mistakes when it comes to parenting.Jason Frishman is on the front line of providing fathers with the resources they need to build loving relationships. Join us as we explore how seemingly minor gestures can pave the way for stronger connections, fostering a deeper understanding between parents and their little ones.Guest Bio:Jason is excited to bring over two decades of work in offices, schools, camps institutions, kitchens, farmers’ markets, woodlots and boardrooms to wild new environments. Jason believes that our lives are adventurous, and we can and should be active, engaged authors of our own adventure stories!With a passionate focus on supporting men to challenge our cultural narratives of masculinity and fatherhood, Jason helps men to powerfully connect with themselves, one another and the people they purport to love the most - their partners and children!

Whether you're a divorced parent, a stepparent, someone supporting a family in transition, or none of the above, we all know about the negative effects divorce can have on a child. This episode is an excellent guide to creating a positive and thriving environment for the children caught in the crossroads of a separation.Join Gabe Chernov today as we explore the delicate balance of co-parenting, communication strategies for divorced parents, and expert insights on fostering resilience in children through the journey of separation and remarriage.Guest Bio:Gabe worked at Birch Trail Camp since 1993, first as a waterski instructor, trip leader, later becoming an assistant director, and now serving as director and owner. He's an active volunteer having served on the Wisconsin Section of the American Camp Association board, Association of Independent Camps National Board, and he serves as the president of the Midwest Association of Independent Camps. He also speaks regularly at conventions and conferences on professional camping and child development.

Building anchors in a child's life is essential for them to feel safe enough to take the risks they need to take. But how do we as parents balance that line of being in the supporting role whilst also encouraging kids to step outside of their comfort zone?Join us today with Jeff and Brooke as we learn about important takeaways from camp and the right time to drop, or more importantly, pull up your anchor.-Guest Bios:Jeff Cheley - Owner & Director, Cheley Colorado CampsAs part of the fourth generation of camp leadership, Jeff works with his sister, Brooke, to oversee the operations of the business and continue the traditions established by Frank Cheley. Jeff and his wife, Erika, live in Englewood during the winter months with their three sons; Jackson, Harrison, and Hayden. He is a graduate of the University of Texas and a proud Longhorn. When Jeff is not driving his boys to hockey or lacrosse events, he enjoys playing golf, skiing, cycling, or taking a Sunday afternoon nap. Jeff is also involved in the larger camping profession as the current President of the Colorado Camps Network, the Treasurer of the Western Association of Independent Camps, and a member in multiple ACA committees. During the summer, Jeff can be found biking up the Cheley Challenge, driving around in his Bronco, or walking around camp.Brooke Cheley Klebe - Owner & Director, Cheley Colorado CampsAs part of the fourth generation of camp leadership, Brooke works with her brother, Jeff, to oversee the operations of the business and continue the traditions established by Frank Cheley. She lives in Denver in the winter months with her husband, Kurt, and their daughters, Ellie, Kate, and Sammie. Brooke graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Communications. As a former competitor in freestyle skiing, an Ironman triathlete, and a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Patagonia, Brooke brings a wealth of knowledge to Cheley. Brooke was a camper for nine summers and on staff as a counselor for three before joining the year-round team. She is a devoted, fun mom and treasures the camp experience.

One of our most important roles as parents is to help our kids understand their minds and bodies. With neurodiverse children, sometimes a bit of extra care is needed to help them succeed in a school program that is likely not geared towards the way that their brain works.Public speaker and entrepreneur Peter Shankman joins us today with tips for parents and teachers to help neurodiverse children navigate our crazy world!Guest Bio:Peter Shankman is a top keynote speaker in marketing, social media, customer service, and neurodiversity in the workplace. The New York Times has called Peter Shankman “a rock star who knows everything about social media and then some.” He is a 6x best selling author, entrepreneur and corporate in-person and virtual keynote speaker, focusing on neurodiversity in the workplace and customer experience. With three startup launches and exits under his belt, Peter is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about the customer experience, social media, PR, marketing, advertising, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the new Neurodiverse Economy.

It's impossible to deny the value of spending time in nature. In our worlds of construction and traffic, it's more important than ever to get our kids outside to explore and have fun.Mandi Baker hops on the A-parently Podcast today to examine the science and data of nature's incredible benefits. Join us for some tips on incorporating these benefits into your kid's lives!Guest Bio:Mandi Baker is a passionate researcher and lecturer with a special interest in the emotional demands, people skills, and power-relations of people-centric service work. She explores these concepts in organized outdoor experiences, youth & community development, recreation and leisure contexts. Her work explores everyday work experiences through sociological concepts to offer fresh insights to ethical and just employment, leadership and education.Mandi currently teaches at Brock University and the University of Waterloo. She holds an adjunct position with the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock and the Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing at Torrens University Australia. She is an editor for the Journal of Youth Development and the World Leisure Journal and serves on peak camp association councils internationally. Mandi also runs Lamped Research and training consultancy, which you can find at lampedresearch.com

It can be easy to forget, but the way that we respond to our children's actions can play a huge role in their learning process. So when our children demonstrate exemplary qualities, it's important to take the time and give them the praise they deserve to help them learn from those moments.Michael Brandwein, one of the biggest names in the industry, has been teaching parents for years that there is much more to it than just saying, "good job." Be sure to tune in to our last, and maybe one of our most impactful episodes of the season to learn more about Michael's proven process of praise!Guest Bio:Michael Brandwein has an international reputation as an expert in education and youth development. He has presented in every one of the 50 states in the U.S. and on 6 of the 7 continents. Michael has written six best-selling books on working with young people, including his latest, Growing Great Qualities in Kids. Michael wrote and presented three Emmy® award-winning television programs for parents and teachers that have been broadcast on PBS stations throughout the U.S. A frequent national and state keynoter, he also presents professional development for teachers, youth leaders, parents, and youth professionals. Michael has served on the national board of directors of the American Camp Association and he and his wife Donna have two sons.

Being a kid can be overwhelming! New experiences and unknown feelings are hidden around every corner of life.We as parents have our work cut out for us too, however! In between the parts of our own overwhelming lives, it can be so hard to capitalize on every learning moment our kids go through. Even when there is a long to-do list, there are still plenty of ways to set our children up for success.We are excited to welcome Ryan Rosen to the A-Parently Podcast to share his experience of helping kids process their emotions. Tune in to this episode to learn more about how we can make the most of our time with our children.Guest Bio:Ryan Rosen is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and has been involved with Camp Kinneret since 1995 when he started as a junior counselor. After several summers on staff as a Lifeguard and Pool Director, Ryan spent three summers as an assistant director. After leaving the camp world for 2 years, Ryan returned as Director in 2006. In 2011, Ryan and his wife, Britt, purchased Camp Kinneret from long-time owner, Harold Gordon. In 2013, Ryan began leading parent discussion groups at local elementary schools to give parents another opportunity to help them to level up in their parenting skills. In 2015, Ryan & Britt decided to do the unthinkable - welcome their daughter, Dylan, and start an after-school enrichment program, Growing Outdoors. By bringing the lessons of camp to school sites through their enrichment programs, Growing Outdoors has given Ryan an opportunity to help more children practice their 21st century skills in a caring and nurturing environment. In 2019, Ryan and Britt welcomed their son, Wyatt. 

What is really going on inside our kids' heads'?It's easy to think that we are the experts and have the answer to everything our children are experiencing. We're the ones raising them after all, right? But the farther we lean into this mindset, the harder it becomes for our children to open up to us about the difficulties in their lives.We are excited to welcome Gabe Chernov back to the A-Parently Podcast to share from his experience on this tricky subject. You won't want to miss Gabe's parenting hacks in this one!Guest Bio:Gabe worked at Birch Trail Camp since 1993, first as a waterski instructor, trip leader, later becoming an assistant director, and now serving as director and owner. He's an active volunteer having served on the Wisconsin Section of the American Camp Association board, Association of Independent Camps National Board, and he serves as the president of the Midwest Association of Independent Camps. He also speaks regularly at conventions and conferences on professional camping and child development.

A lot of our world is focused on final products. Due dates, numbers, and letter grades can completely overwrite the creative thinking, problem-solving, and learning experienced along the way.We know that we cannot help our children overcome every adversity. But what is the role of the parent in this learning cycle of setting up and taking down supports? And how do we shift our focus (and our children's focus!) from these products to the experiences themselves?The secret to raising children for resilience and success, according to Cat and Kristy, is to praise the process. To not only accept, but commend failure, a First Attempt in Learning. Encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving may take more intentionality on our end, but the result is a child that is just as excited about the learning process as we are. Join us today for some examples of how you can implement this into conversations with your kids.-Guest Bios:Kristy Harvey grew up as a camper, starting at age 8. She continued to become a seasonal camp staff working in various counselor roles before she started in her current year-round position as the Associate Director and Waterfront Director at Camp Wawenock. Kristy graduated from Bates College with a BA in English and minor in Spanish and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University. In addition to her work at Wawenock, Kristy is involved as a volunteer for the American Camp Association, New England on the Emerging Professionals in Camping committee and as a standards visitor. She loves spending time outdoors in Maine with her son, husband, and dog.Catriona Sangster and her husband Andy have been Directors at Wawenock since 2005. Catriona holds her Masters in Education and taught at the High School level before becoming a full-time camp professional in 1996. Andy and Catriona are involved in volunteering at local, regional or national levels, within the camp profession, as well as being involved with local community organizations. They have two daughters, Mackenzie and Sophie, who have grown up at Camp and are now staff members.

We know that a strong, independent child is something that we, as parents, should strive to raise.We also know that in order for kids to be independent they need to be prepared for the consequences of being independent.And what we ALSO know, (that our children may not know) is that with the privilege of independence, comes the distinct possibility of failure.It's a tricky balance to navigate, but we need to make sure the prospect of failure doesn't scare them (or us) away from independence in the first place.It's a good thing that we have folks like Brooke and Jeff Cheley from Cheley Colorado Camps to help us figure this out! Brooke and Jeff treat both independence and failure as the bread and butter of the summer camp experience and are extremely intentional about how they build this with their staff and camper communities. Tune in to this episode for lots of great ways to take these concepts and apply the to the day to day of your family life.-Guest Bios:As part of the fourth generation of camp leadership, Brooke Cheley, daughter of Don, is the Director of Camper and Parent Services for Cheley. She lives in Denver in the winter months where she lives with her husband, Kurt, and their daughters, Ellie, Kate, and Sam. Brooke graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Communications. As a former competitor in freestyle skiing, an Ironman triathlete, and a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Patagonia, Brooke brings a wealth of knowledge to the backcountry program of Cheley. Brooke was a camper for nine summers and on staff as a counselor for three before joining the year-round team. She is a devoted, fun mom and treasures the camp experience.Jeff Cheley grew up in the camp industry. As the fourth generation of Cheley’s at Cheley Colorado Camps, he has been involved in camping from many different aspects. After working in the “real world” for six years, Jeff returned to camp full-time in 1999. Since his return, he has been involved in most of the aspects of camp. He currently works with his sister to lead the culture and strategic vision of the organization. Jeff is married to Erika and they have three boys: Jackson (age 13), Harrison (age 11), and Hayden (age 9). When he is not working or driving children to activities, Jeff enjoys playing golf, cycling, travelling, and relaxing.

Change is hard.It's hard for us when our patterns are interrupted, our expectations aren't met or a new reality is set before us.Bundle in kids, and dealing with change goes from "hard" to feeling impossible. We not only have to figure it out for ourselves but really coach kids through what may be a new and scary experience for them.Changes of all sizes can be hard, but can you imagine what it would be like to pick up a whole family with two kids and move across the ocean?While imagine no more! In this episode, Melissa and Chris Bruntlett join A-Parently to share not only how they made this big change, but how they involved their children in it. Tune in for lots of excellent advice and stories about how their kids learned and grew in their comfort with independence and managing risk while living in the Netherlands.-Guests Bio:Melissa and Chris Bruntlett are Canadian authors and urban mobility advocates who strive to communicate the benefits of sustainable transport and inspire happier, healthier, more human-scale cities. Their first book, Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality, explored the decisions that established the Netherlands as a bicycle paradise, and how communities are translating these ideas to build their own cycling cities. Now based in Delft, the Netherlands, Melissa works with Mobycon—a bi-continental mobility consultancy—supporting the promotion of Dutch transport knowledge, policy, and design principles in countries around the world. As Communications Manager for the Dutch Cycling Embassy, Chris uses his knowledge and passion to share practical lessons for global cities wishing to learn from the Netherlands’ extraordinary success. Their second book, Curbing Traffic: The Human Case for Fewer Cars in Our Lives, was published by Island Press in June 2021.

Getting your kid to have an "intercultural experience" may feel like one of those things that would be great to be able to do, but that in reality, is hard to make time for.What if you didn't have to hop on a plane to help your kids get some of the benefits that come with an experience like that?It turns out, that you can do just that!Kids are exposed to new cultures all the time - especially in their younger years. As parents, our job is to make the space to process these micro-cultural exposures with our kids and help them unlock the transferrable skills of resilience and curiosity that they learned through experience!Not only does Andy Shlensky make space for this processing at Northstar Camp for Boys, but he lives and breathes it every winter when he and his daughter pick up and live abroad! Tune in to this episode not just for some incredible travel stories, but for some fantastically practical ways to help the kiddo in your life better process even the smallest cultural encounter.-Guest Bio:Andy Shlensky is the owner and director of North Star Camp in Hayward, Wisconsin, as well as the co-owner and managing partner of The Road Less Traveled, a service and adventure travel company for teens, and Bubbles Academy, an early childhood arts-integrated education center in Chicago. He decided to pursue a career in youth development and camping when he was a Counselor-in-Training at North Star. After graduating from Northwestern University, he became the boys camp director at a co-ed camp in Western Massachusetts before returning to North Star in 2010 to run the camp he grew up loving. Andy believes strongly in using experiential and outdoor education to endow future generations with the confidence, character, and life skills to go out and make a difference in the world. Andy is on the National Board of the American Camp Association and the board of the Midwest Association of Independent Camps. He works closely with several non-profit organizations including the Camp for All Kids Foundation, 4-Star Fellowship and Whole Child Arts. When not at camp or traveling, Andy lives in Chicago with his daughter Laney.

Of all of the child-raising topics out there, childhood nutrition may be one of the most baffling.It’s something that most of us don’t have any formal education on (for instance is it a food-wheel or a pyramid?) and one where there are thousands of philosophies on.And it’s not just what to eat, how to get kids to eat takes your down a whole other rabbit hole of differing opinions.Dianne Neumark-Sztainer is here to help us cut through the noise and give families some extremely practical advice on how to not only make sure kids are getting what they need, but make it so that they get it in a way that feels good and promotes a positive narrative around food and body image.-Guest Bio:Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, MPH, RD, is a McKnight Presidential and Mayo Professor and serves as the Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on a broad spectrum of eating, activity, and weight-related outcomes including eating disorders, unhealthy weight control behaviors, body image, dietary intake, physical activity, weight stigmatization, and high weight status. She is dedicated to ensuring that her research has a positive impact on the health of the public, particularly our most vulnerable populations. In recent years, she has begun to explore yoga as a tool to address eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, and obesity. Dr. Neumark-Sztainer is the Principal Investigator of Project EAT (Eating and Activity over Time), a longitudinal body of research on eating, activity, and weight status among two large cohorts that have been followed from adolescence through adulthood. She currently has an NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator Award for her research program and is the Principal Investigator for an NIH T32 Training Program in applied epidemiology to promote eating, activity, and weight-related health among youth and families from diverse communities, which provides training for the next generation of researchers dedicated to ensuring positive eating and weight-related health among the target population. Dr. Neumark-Sztainer has published nearly 600 scientific articles and written a book for parents of adolescents titled, “I’m, Like, SO Fat!”: Helping Your Teen Make Healthy Choices about Eating and Exercise in a Weight Obsessed World”, providing a synthesis of her research and guidelines for helping their children have healthy bodies and body images. Dr. Neumark-Sztainer has been active in several professional organizations including the Academy for Eating Disorders, the National Eating Disorders Association, and the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine. Selected awards include the Leonard M. Schuman Award for Excellence in Teaching from the School of Public Health, Academy for Excellence in Health Research from the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center, and an Outstanding Investigator Award from the National Institutes of Health.

How do you help your child navigate something that feels too big for even you to tackle?There is no denying that climate change is a real, giant problem staring us right in the face. What makes it even harder to deal with mentally is that unlike many of the conflicts and upsetting things that we are exposed to, it sometimes feels like something that we a) can't do anything to fix and b) can't protect ourselves from.And that's how *we* feel about it! Not to mention our kids!As the generation that will be most impacted by the effects of climate change, we need to have kids who are equipped to understand and take the actions that we wish our parents had done 50+ years ago.But when we (and our kids) are constantly bombarded with catastrophic climate news, it's no wonder that we (and our kids) can freeze with a sense of dread, much akin to diagnosed anxiety disorder.Anya Kamenetz re-joins the A-Parently Podcast to share how her new life's work is all about helping kids (and their parents) move through that anxiety to feel informed and empowered in the fight against climate change. These strategies are ones you can try today and set your child (and maybe even yourself) on the greener path!

As a parent, it's easy to get caught up in how every single moment of your parenting needs to be incredibly well planned out and that our child's long-term well-being is solely in our hands.While it's important to be intentional, Kevin Kelly will tell you that we should be focusing more of our efforts on first, helping our kids understand how they learn best and then using that learning ability to help develop an identity with the support of their family.One of the best tools for achieving this identity is the family ritual. Whether big or small, significant or mundane, Kelly argues that these rituals give kids a solid foundation in which to feel safe and grounded as they navigate the world without the constant supervision of their caregivers.-Guest Bio:Kevin Kelly is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded Wired in 1993, and served as its Executive Editor for its first seven years. His newest book is  The Inevitable , a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He is founder of the popular  Cool Tools  website, which has been reviewing tools daily for 20 years. From 1984-1990 Kelly was publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Review, a subscriber-supported journal of unorthodox conceptual news. He co-founded the ongoing Hackers’ Conference, and was involved with the launch of the WELL, a pioneering online service started in 1985. Other books by Kelly include 1)  Out of Control , the 1994 classic book on decentralized emergent systems, 2)  The Silver Cord , a graphic novel about robots and angels, 3)  What Technology Wants , a robust theory of technology, and 4) Vanishing Asia, his 50-year project to photograph the disappearing cultures of Asia. He is currently co-chair of  The Long Now Foundation , which is building a clock in a mountain that will tick for 10,000 years. 

As a parenting buzzword, "autonomy" is certainly right up there with "grit" and "resilience". But what if what we've come to think of as true autonomy is wrong?Even more, what if the way that we're interpreting autonomy - a synonym of independence - is actually making things harder for us as parents?Over years of professional and personal research, Michaeleen Doucleff has reached the conclusion that as a European/North American society, we've generally muddied the autonomy waters.In this episode, Michaeleen shares with our listeners how parents can use what she has discovered to be the true definition of autonomy to develop healthy, trusting, less contentious relationships with their children. With practical insights galore, you do not want to miss this episode!Guest Bio:Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD, is the author of the New York Times bestseller Hunt, Gather, Parent . The book describes a way of raising helpful and confident children, which moms and dads have turned to for millennia. It also explains how American families can incorporate this approach into their busy lives.Doucleff wrote the book after traveling to three continents with her 3-year-old daughter, Rosy. Maya, Inuit, and Hadzabe families showed her how to tame tantrums, motivate kids to be helpful, and build children’s confidence and self-sufficiency.Doucleff is also a global health correspondent for NPR’s Science Desk, where she reports about disease outbreaks and children’s health.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCamp KinneretCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

It's undeniable that the mental health conversation has taken a front seat in our society. With national ad campaigns, the integration of it in the school curriculum and the saturation of it in the media, kids and parents are trying to figure out how to navigate this new landscape together.However, when it gets down to it, we really just want to know if our kids are okay. We want to know if the distress they are experiencing at this moment is something developmentally normal, or if it's something that will affect their long-term well-being.Dr. Abigail Schlesinger joins A-Parently to cut through the informational weeds and give parents a clear breakdown of both proactive and reactive strategies for helping their kids grow into resilient, mental health literate adults.-Guest Bio:Dr. Abigail Schlesinger is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with an interest in increasing access to quality behavioral health and developmental services for children and families. She was instrumental in the development of Children’s Community Pediatrics Behavioral Health (CCPBH), a service that embeds therapists and psychiatrists in pediatric primary care. CCPBHS has won local, state, and national awards for efficiently improving access to care.Dr. Schlesinger is the Chief of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Integrated Care UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and the Medical Director of Children’s TiPS. Dr. Schlesinger is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Pediatric University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCamp KinneretCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

This is a conversation beyond just "screen time management". It certainly includes some great advice, but it is also so much more.Anya Kamenetz joins Travis and Debi to unpack her years of research, reporting and writing on how both the digital media landscape and the COVID-19 pandemic have fundamentally affected our children.While this subject may seem full of doom and gloom, it's important to remember that both of these realities have given kids and parents unique opportunities to empower the next generation of leaders and decision-makers.-Guest Bio:Anya Kamenetz speaks, writes, and thinks about generational justice, and how children learn, grow and thrive on a changing planet. She covered education for many years including for NPR, where she co-created the podcast Life Kit: Parenting. Her newest book is The Stolen Year: How Covid Changed Children’s Lives, And Where We Go Now. Kamenetz is currently  an advisor to the Aspen Institute  and  a Co:Generate fellow  working on a new initiative to end climate silence in children’s media.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCamp KinneretCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

A sense of wonder, independence and confidence.It's something we all want for our kids - and it's a big reason why we send them to camp!However, more and more, there are a lot of factors working against us and our kids here. In a world that promotes convenience, over-coddling and even the slightest bit of uncomforted is interpreted as a threat, parents have to be more intentional than ever in how they approach risk-taking and adventure with their kids.Andy Pritikin makes his return to A-Parently to share some of the tried and true practices that he and his staff employ at Liberty Lake Day Camp to foster the young adventurer in every child - many of which are ones that parents can easily apply during the rest of the year!-Andy Pritikin has served as the American Camp Association NY/NJ President, Professional Development Chair, and the Chair of the Tri-State Camp Conference- the largest annual gathering of Camp professionals in the world.For the over 25 years, Andy has been serving on ACA national and regional committees, presenting at conferences across the world, and appearing regularly on TV, in print media, hosting his own podcast, and throughout the internet as one of the leaders of summer camp industry.At the local level, Andy is founder and past president of the New Jersey Camps Government Affairs Project, an organization created to protect the interests of all New Jersey Camps, and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. Andy is also the co-founder and Producer of the NJ Renaissance Faire, the largest festival of its kind in New Jersey.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCamp KinneretCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Independence. One of the most confounding parts of child development.The journey from a completely helpless and dependent newborn, to a strong-willed teen can be a confounding one. How do we know our kids are ready to detach from us? How do we know if we're pushing them too hard?While there isn't a clear playbook, there are certain goals that we can constantly strive for - and that's where Esther Wojcicki comes in. Esther joins A-Parently to share the independence-building techniques that have worked for her in her long career as a mentor, teacher and mother.-Esther Wojcicki is famous for three things: teaching a high school class that has changed the lives of thousands of kids, inspiring Silicon Valley legends like Steve Jobs, and raising three daughters who have each become famously successful. What do these three accomplishments have in common? They are the result of TRICK, Esther’s secret to raising successful people: Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness. Simple lessons, but the results are radical.Esther Wojcicki is a leading American educator and journalist. Mother of YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, Fulbright scholar Janet Wojcicki, and 23&Me founder Anne Wojcicki, as well as a teacher and mentor to James Franco and Lisa Brennan-Jobs, Esther is widely heralded as the most successful parent and educator in the United States. Esther offers essential lessons for raising, educating, and managing people to their highest potential.She is the author of Moonshots in Education (2014) and best seller How to Raise Successful People (May, 2019). She is co founder of Tract.app (2020) an innovative way to empower students by gamifying education using a peer to peer model.​The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

This is part 2 of our conversation with former sex crimes and child abuse prosecutor Rahel Bayar.If you missed part one, make sure you go back and listen because it was a fantastic episode!This time, Rahel, Debi and Travis dig into approaching these conversations and situations with middle schoolers and teens. As well, they dig into the things that both kids and their parents need to take action on if something as terrible as this happens to someone in their family.Listen in for some practical advice about technology, sleepovers, code words and community resources for families.-Rahel Bayar is a Former Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Prosecutor, the CEO @ TheBayarGroup and nationally recognized speaker and consultant on abuse and harassment prevention.Rahel speaks with parents, educators, youth development professionals and students to give them the language and skills they need to strengthen and protect kids from sexual exploitation and abuse. Rahel is also a parent of three wonderful children.Find out more at:  https://www.thebayargroup.com/ or find Rahel on Instagram at  @rahel.bayar The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCamp KinneretCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

This may be one of the most serious episodes of A-Parently, but it may also be the most necessary one.On this episode, Rahel Bayar shares that between 1 and 4 and 1 and 13 children will experience some form of sexual exploitation or abuse.This isn't something we can just hope doesn't happen and unfortunately, isn't something that can always be prevented.Like many things with parenting, it's important that we intentionally educate, create an open and trusting space for conversation and give kids the language and the tools to understand what is and isn't a safe situation.Rahel brings her years of experience as a sex crimes and child abuse prosecutor, an expert consultant and, of course, a mom, to the show to give parents concrete steps that they can apply right away to safeguard their children against on and offline predators.-Guest Bio:Rahel Bayar is a Former Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Prosecutor, the CEO @ TheBayarGroup and nationally recognized speaker and consultant on abuse and harassment prevention.Rahel speaks with parents, educators, youth development professionals and students to give them the language and skills they need to strengthen and protect kids from sexual exploitation and abuse. Rahel is also a parent of three wonderful children.Find out more at: https://www.thebayargroup.com or find Rahel on Instagram at @rahel.bayar ​​The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCamp KinneretCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

There are a lot of differences between a camper's time at home and their time at camp, but there's one part that is definitely the same...Both at camp, and at home, it's busy.Things to do, places to get to and so many moments of stimulus for a young mind.It can be hard for a child to take a breath, but that's where an intentional and caring adult (ie. camp counselor or parent) has the opportunity to step in and help.Catriona and Andy Sangster from Camp Wawenok for Girls join the A-Parently podcast to share about how these moments of breath are incredibly crucial for helping kids process their experiences and take away some of the juicy lessons.Even more, when kids have the ability to think outside of their own perspectives in situations, it's a powerful way for them to develop empathy.Tune in to this episode for realistic and practical advice on how to take those moments and use them intentionally at home.-Guests Bio:Catriona and Andy have been Directors at Wawenock since 2005. Andy has a degree in Physical Therapy and has worked as a full-time camp professional since 1992. He has an extensive sports instruction, coaching and refereeing background – stemming from a lifetime love of many sports. Catriona holds her Masters in Education and taught at the High School level before becoming a full-time camp professional in 1996. Andy and Catriona are involved in volunteering at local, regional or national levels, within the camp profession, as well as being involved with local community organizations. Andy and Catriona have two daughters, Mackenzie and Sophie, who have been campers and staff members at Wawenock.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

When you look at your child and have the words "it's time for bed" on the tip of your tongue, do you clam up a bit?You're not alone! For parents and caregivers around the world, the bedtime battle is a tough one.So for a battle this big, we've brought in the big guns.Dr. Sujay Kansagra, a pediatric sleep expert joins the show to share his years of research into not only why sleep is important for kids, but also the best ways to help kids of all ages (yes, even the post-puberty ones!) get the kind of sleep that will help them physically and mentally.Ready to hear more? Tune in to this episode!-Dr. Kansagra is the director of Duke University’s Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program and author of the book “My Child Won’t Sleep”. He specializes in treating a variety of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and parasomnias. His prior research involves sleep pathology in rare neurologic conditions such as alternating hemiplegia of childhood. He is currently doing research on novel technology that helps with behavioral insomnia of childhood. He can be found giving sleep tips and advice on multiple social media platforms with the name ThatSleepDoc.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Why is participation in sport so important for kids?You can probably understand some of it off the top of your head...collaboration, achievement, exercise - these are all great!However, something that we, and society too often overlook is the power that sport has to teach our kids about emotional regulation and responsiveness.Through the drama of a close game, a coach that pushes you to be your best or dealing with extreme shifts in emotion, kids are learning not only just how to notice their emotions, but push through the hard ones for the good of the game and their teammates.Here's the even better part - every single lesson that they learn though playing in a sport is 100% applicable to the rest of their lives.Ready to hear more? Tune in to this episode!-Dr. Kevin Chapman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (KYCARDS) where he specializes in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and related disorders. Additionally, he serves as a consultant for the creation of evidence-based, anxiety treatment protocols due to his additional expertise related to the intersection of multiculturalism and mental health.Dr. Chapman was a two-sport collegiate athlete (track and field, football) and was inducted into the Centre College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020. He and Dr G. serve together on the National Advisory Board for TrueSport, the youth development arm of the United States Anti Doping Agency.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps: Birch Trail Camp for Girls Cheley Colorado Camps Liberty Lake Day Camp North Star Camp for Boys Camp Wawenock for Girls

Camp is fun...right?Right! Of course, it is!But as our guests, Brooke and Jeff Cheley of Cheley Colorado Camps share, there's so much more going on behind the scenes.With their background in wilderness camping and expeditions, combined with their family's deep commitment to getting kids into the wild outdoors, Brooke and Jeff use camp's inherent exposure to nature and community to show kids that they are full of more character and resilience than they could have ever dreamed of.And of course, as parents themselves, Brooke and Jeff do everything they can to bring this experience home into their everyday lives with their kids and are excited to show you how you can do the same.Top that off with some expert tips on how to prepare your camper for their camp experience and that makes this an episode not to miss!-Guest Bios:As part of the fourth generation of camp leadership, Brooke Cheley, daughter of Don, is the Director of Camper and Parent Services for Cheley. She lives in Denver in the winter months where she lives with her husband, Kurt, and their daughters, Ellie, Kate, and Sam. Brooke graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Communications. As a former competitor in freestyle skiing, an Ironman triathlete, and a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Patagonia, Brooke brings a wealth of knowledge to the backcountry program of Cheley. Brooke was a camper for nine summers and on staff as a counselor for three before joining the year-round team. She is a devoted, fun mom and treasures the camp experience.Jeff Cheley grew up in the camp industry. As the fourth generation of Cheley’s at Cheley Colorado Camps, he has been involved in camping from many different aspects. After working in the “real world” for six years, Jeff returned to camp full-time in 1999. Since his return, he has been involved in most of the aspects of camp. He currently works with his sister to lead the culture and strategic vision of the organization. Jeff is married to Erika and they have three boys: Jackson (age 13), Harrison (age 11), and Hayden (age 9). When he is not working or driving children to activities, Jeff enjoys playing golf, cycling, traveling, and relaxing.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

It can be a parent's nightmare.You're in the grocery store, and a person who looks or acts differently than your family walks into view of your child.And before they even ask their cringingly loud, yet innocent question, you know it's going to be an awkward situation.What if it didn't have to be like that?What if our kids were raised with the mindset that difference was something to be noticed and celebrated?What if our kids understood the histories of inequity and injustice that have made our generation quick to categorize, "other" and judge - and made an active choice to be more compassionate?Well, as Dr. Lucretia Berry shares with us in this episode, it's not as hard as we might think to get our kids there.With intention, dedication and a commitment to co-learning with our children, combined with some extremely easy-to-implement strategies, we can help kids use their natural curiosity and propensity towards justice to give them a head start on being a socially aware citizen in our modern society.-Lucretia Carter Berry, PhD is the founder of Brownicity, an agency committed to making important, scholarly-informed, antiracism education accessible, and the director of it’s online membership platform, which currently hosts over twelve thousand enrollments. With the tagline Many Hues, One Humanity, Brownicity’s mission is to foster education designed to inspire a culture of justice and true belonging for all.A former college professor, Lucretia designed Brownicity’s flagship course and study guide, What LIES Between Us - Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing (2016) and authored Hues of You - An Activity Book for Learning About the Skin You Are In (2022). She is a Curriculum Specialist for Community School of Davidson (NC), a contributor for (In)courage.me, and a TED and Q-Ideas speaker. She is married to Nathan; they have three daughters and two aussiedoodles.Lucretia earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and MA in English from Iowa State University, and her BA from South Carolina State University.Follow Lucretia on Instagram and Brownicity on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Lucretia finds joy in prayer, dancing, and dark-chocolate covered cashews!The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

As the world changes, so too do the expectations that we have of the next generation.Automation, AI, robots - all things that we know will soon be a dominant presence in some sectors of the workforce.But AI can't empathize with other humans. Robots can't unlearn and re-learn. Automation won't help someone understand why a friend is hurting.21st century skills (Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Character, Citizenship & Computational Thinking) are the skills that our kids need to develop to meet the challenges of modern living.So how do they learn?Yes, one of the places where kids learn this comprehensively is camp, but that doesn't mean it's the only place.In this episode, Scott Brody breaks down some extremely practical ways for both parents and their kids to own this all-important education. His breadth of experience with the summer camp industry and as an executive board member of the Partnership for 21st Century Learning has given him the secrets to 21st century success that your kids have the opportunity to learn.-Scott is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Camp Association, having just finished his term as the ACA Board Chair. He is an educator and thought leader in the areas of child development, 21st century learning and workforce development, and is a tireless advocate for summer camps on a national and global level. He has represented America's summer camps in Washington, DC, for many years and has advocated for camps in the halls of Congress and in the White House.He served as an Executive Board member of the Partnership for 21st Century Learning in Washington, DC, and is a current Executive Board Member of the Foundation for Jewish Camp in NY as well as other state and local boards. He is also the author of an award-winning article for Camping Magazine entitled “Teaching the Skills that Children Need to Succeed”. Scott is an honors graduate of UC Berkeley and received a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 1990.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Whether or not you believe that your child has a future in starting their own business, the spirit of an entrepreneur is something that every child will benefit from having.In her study of over 70 young and thriving entrepreneurs, Margot Bisnow has cracked the code on what families can do to help a child realize their passion, and turn that into a lifetime of confidence, purpose and happiness.Margot joins Travis and Debi to share the practical things you can do with and say to your kids to help them follow their sparks of inspiration and light the fire of a lifelong commitment to giving their unique and special gifts to the world.-Margot Machol Bisnow is a writer, wife, and mom from Washington, DC who speaks on raising fearless, creative, entrepreneurial kids who are filled with joy and purpose. She is the author of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams — 99 Stories From Families Who Did. Margot has a BA in English and an MBA, both from Northwestern, and spent 20 years in government, including as an FTC Commissioner and staff director of the President's Council of Economic Advisers.Both her kids are now grown: Austin started a popular band, Magic Giant; Elliott founded Summit, a noted international conference series for Millennial entrepreneurs and creatives, and led the purchase and development of Powder Mountain ski resort in Utah as a permanent home for the Summit community. Her husband Mark was a late-blooming entrepreneur, and wishes his parents had read her book when he was growing up, so he might have started his company before he was 50. Margot is on the Board of Capital Partners for Education that mentors low-income DC-area high school kids.Check out the new second edition of Margot's fantastic book "Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams — 99 Stories From Families Who Did"The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Does it ever feel like parenting is a constant struggle between making the intentional and competent choices that parenting experts always tell us about and just telling your child what needs to be done because it's faster?As our lives get busier and busier, making connections and slowing down feels like a gargantuan task with no place to start."It doesn't have to be!" says our guest, JJ Jupp from Camp Wenonah.This episode is PACKED with practical and realistic tips for families to take home some of the "secret sauce" of summer camp, where kids and staff aren't constrained by a tight schedule.How does JJ know? She not only uses these tips in her work at camp, but at home with her two kids.Tune in find out why "connect before you direct" and "frame things in the positive" will be your new two favourite phrases.-JJ’s life focus has been summer camp since she first attended overnight camp at YMCA Camp Wanakita when she was nine years old. For close to 30 years, JJ has worked tirelessly to create emotionally and physically safe places for children and adults to become and to belong. With summer camp and outdoor education as her vehicles, JJ’s mission is to help create a world where people accept one another across differences, where people lead others with confidence and humility, and where we love, cherish, and protect the earth. JJ has directed at Ontario summer camps for 25 years including over ten years each at Camp Arowhon/The Camp Arowhon Outdoor Centre, and Camp Wanapitei.One of JJ’s favourite things in life is facilitating experiences and training sessions. As a professional facilitator, JJ has been a diversity trainer (for the City of York) and has guided workplace culture transformation in varied corporate and non-profit settings.She plays a mean alto sax in a street band, gets seasick on backyard swings, is happiest in forests or on the water, and is addicted to learning and improving.When not at camp, JJ and her husband Woody (Eoin Wood) live in Guelph, Ontario with their kids, Anna (18) and Charlie (11), their two dogs, and four backyard chickens.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

The sound of your kids arguing.Your child coming home and telling you that they were bullied.Nails on a chalkboard for parents? Absolutely.ANDWhat if this conflict that your kids are experiencing was one of the biggest life-learning opportunities for them?Dr. Brittany Patterson joins the A-Parently Podcast to share her years of research and experience that has developed her "FIGHT skills" framework:Feelings (identify and calm)Identity (use strengths and resources)Goals (set and pursue)Healthy copingThoughts (self-love, confidence, persistence)This sounds hard - especially when high-stress moments and feelings and involved - but Dr. Patterson guides us through practical strategies that parents can employ right away.psst. It starts with you naming your feelings - it's THAT easy to begin this process!-Dr. Brittany Patterson is a Licensed Psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). She has served schools for more than a decade in various capacities and has specialized in school-based mental health services in underserved schools and communities since joining the UMSOM faculty in 2016. In her current role, Dr. Patterson provides training and technical assistance to diverse school stakeholders on the impact of trauma and strategies to create safe, healing environments for students.She is particularly passionate about identifying and building upon the strengths of youth and their communities to promote positive mental health and well-being. In fact, The FIGHT was inspired by five years of serving a Title I school in Baltimore City where she was consistently impressed by the gifts and talents of our “fighters” – youth often in trouble for difficulties related to behavioral or emotional distress. She found that invested adults, dedicated time, and ample skill building opportunities made a significant difference for the “fighters” and enabled many to not only survive but thrive!Beyond her professional dedication to schools, Dr. Patterson is a proud daughter, sister, auntie, and mommy! Her hobbies include spending time with her family over arts and crafts, food, outdoor sports, and reading. Ultimately, Dr. Patterson has one hope for all youth, including her own children:"You deserve safe spaces to learn and grow, full of opportunities to share what you know, and elevation of your talents for obstacles foreseen, ensuring accomplishment of every goal and unseen dream." –Dr. Brittany Patterson (2020)You can find Dr. Patterson's book "The Fight" here.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

We expect a lot out of our kids. Don't we?How many of those expectations do we communicate with them?How honest are we about our intentions behind those expectations?What steps do we have in place to help kids rise to those expectations?Andy Shlensky, owner and director of North Star Camp, joins the A-Parently podcast to help unpack the complexities around how expectations, when communicated clearly, are a powerful tool to help kids succeed in the world of adversities that they will inevitably face.-"Andy Shlensky is the owner and director of North Star Camp in Hayward, Wisconsin, as well as the co-owner and managing partner of The Road Less Traveled, a service and adventure travel company for teens, and Bubbles Academy, an early childhood arts integrated education center in Chicago. He decided to pursue a career in youth development and camping when he was a Counselor-in-Training at North Star. After graduating from Northwestern University, he became the boys camp director at a co-ed camp in Western Massachusetts before returning to North Star in 2010 to run the camp he grew up loving. Andy believes strongly in using experiential and outdoor education to endow future generations with the confidence, character, and life skills to go out and make a difference in the world. Andy is on the National Board of the American Camp Association and the board of the Midwest Association of Independent Camps. He works closely with several non-profit organizations including the Camp for All Kids Foundation, 4-Star Fellowship and Whole Child Arts. When not at camp or traveling, Andy lives in Chicago with his daughter Laney."The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

"Me do it!" "Let me do it!"Music to your ears, or nails on a chalkboard?As kids grow, so too does their natural desire for independence and autonomy. As a parent, it's one of the biggest balancing acts we face. When, how much, and how often do we let go? How do we know that they're ready?When it comes to big questions like that, Dr. G will remind you first, "you are the expert on your child" and will then give you an absolute ton of incredibly well-researched and thought-out advice!We're grateful to our guest host, Molly May for helping us flip the host/guest roles in this episode and giving Dr. G the chance to share not only her clinical knowledge, but how her years of being a mom to 4 boys have given her the chance to workshop these ideas in the crucible of parenthood.-Guest Bio:Dr. G works with families, organizations and businesses to identify the mindset and strategies to turn stress into an advantage. She's a leading media personality seen regularly on Today, Good Morning America and The Doctors. She's the author of the bestselling book, Get The Behavior you Want...Without Being the Parent You Hate and the upcoming release, From Stressed To Resilient, the Guide to Handle More and Feel It Less. Dr. G is a board-certified family physician and a single mom of 4 sons.Guest Host Bio:Molly May is a musician, educator, and seminary student living in Pittsburgh, PA. She is the mother of three boys aged 14, 12, and 10. Her previous career as an orchestra teacher, as well as part of her current career where she directs a teen choir, have given her at least a thousand extra kids to love. Molly is a sports parent and a music parent along with her husband, who takes an active role in both of those activities. She feels very fortunate that every resident of her household knows how to make a pot of coffee.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Guiding a child towards kind, respectful and empathetic behavior certainly sounds like a daunting task - especially if you're working with a teenager!Of course, how we facilitate these conversations is important, but, as it turns out, when we have those conversations is just as critical.Dr. G and Travis are joined by Noah Gallagher from Camp Tel Noar to discuss his approach to helping campers (and his 3 kids at home!) take a reflective approach towards their behavior. These incredibly practical tips are powerful, yet straightforward, and parents can pick these up and start implementing them today.-Noah Gallagher is the Director of Camp Tel Noar, of the Cohen Camps in New England. Noah received as bachelors in both philosophy and Hebrew from the University Of Wisconsin and has gone on to a career in nonprofit management, camp directing and mentoring.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps: Birch Trail Camp for Girls Cheley Colorado Camps Liberty Lake Day Camp North Star Camp for Boys Camp Wawenock for Girls

Are the kids really alright? Well, how can you expect them to be? A global pandemic, online learning, the climate crisis, need we say more?The good news is that combined with Gen Z's embracing of mental health conversations, we have an ever-growing list of tools and resources to help.Dr. Jen Harstein joins Travis and Dr. G to discuss some of these tools as well as how parents and caregivers can hone their mental health intuition and know when it's time to step up the level of care. This episode is full of practical advice that will share exactly what you can say and do to support your loved ones.-Dr. Jen Hartstein is the owner and founder of Hartstein Psychological Services, a group psychotherapy practice in New York City. She works with children and adolescents and their families with a wide range of psychological diagnoses. Dr. Jen is on the executive board of Active Minds an organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health issues while educating and encouraging others to do the same.Find out more about Dr. Jen at drjen.com and get her book "Princess Recovery - A How-to Guide to Raising Strong, Empowered Girls Who Can Create Their Own Happily Ever Afters"The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Gabe Chernov, Owner/Director of Birch Trail Camp, joins Dr. G and Travis to share how the summer camp experience has the unique ability to give kids social-emotional & conflict resolution tools through intentional play, conflict resolution and with the supervision of caring counsellors. Here's the secret - families can continue this growth at home. Tune in to this episode to hear how Gabe integrates these lessons into his own family's routines and how you, too, can prepare your kids to be social-emotional superstars!-Gabe worked at Birch Trail Camp since 1993, first as a waterski instructor, trip leader, later becoming an assistant director, and now serving as director and owner. He's an active volunteer having served on the Wisconsin Section of the American Camp Association board, Association of Independent Camps National Board, and he serves as the president of the Midwest Association of Independent Camps. He also speaks regularly at conventions and conferences on professional camping and child development.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson joins the show to share how the simple act of "showing up" in the emotional moments of your child's life gives them a foundation of "safe, seen & soothed" on which their sense of "security" will rest on. With Tina's advice, we can turn our interactions with our kids, especially the more emotional ones, into opportunities that allow them to decode the complexities of our messy world and translate them into moments of empathy and resilience.You can find Dr. Tina Payne Bryson's latest book "The Power of Showing Up" at tinabryson.com/thepowerofshowingup-Tina is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice, and of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens.Dr. Bryson keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for kids, parents, educators, clinicians, and industry leaders all over the world, and she makes frequent media appearances (for example, in TIME Magazine, “Good Morning America,” Huffington Post, Redbook, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Real Simple).   A graduate of Baylor University, she earned her LCSW and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, where her research explored attachment science, childrearing theory, and the emerging field of interpersonal neurobiology.Tina emphasizes that before she’s a parenting educator, or a researcher, she’s a mom. She limits her clinical practice and speaking engagements so that she can spend time with her family. Alongside her husband of 27 years, parenting her three boys is what makes her happiest.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Steve Baskin from Camp Champions joins the show to share how summer camps (and families!) can raise children who are ready to face this difficult world with grace and resiliency. Tune in to hear how parents can use the everyday practices and rituals of Camp Champions to turn this vital learning into a year-round experience.-Steve has been actively involved with the American Camp Association chairing the largest camp conference in the world from 2008 to 2010 serving on the national board from 2010 to 2016. He currently serves as the chair of the American Camping Foundation. Steve and his wife Susie have 4 children, twin boys Wiley and Liam, and daughters Terrill, and Virginia and basset hound Dodger. Steve and Susie have twice conducted an odd experiment backpacking for eighteen to twenty weeks with their kids in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America - they remain surprisingly sane!The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls

Dr. Brian Primack joins the Podcast to share his insights and best practices when it comes to helping children develop a healthy relationship with social media. Brian shares how his model, "The Social Media Pyramid" gives families a framework for cultivating a fruitful, balanced relationship with social media for their kids (and for themselves!). He offers practical strategies, positive alternatives and an empathetic perspective that is a breath of fresh air in all of the doom and gloom of the usual conversation around kids and tech.You can find Brian's book You Are What You Click here.-Brian is currently the Dean of the college of education and health professions at the University of Arkansas. Prior to that, he was a professor of medicine-pediatrics and clinical and translational science at the University of Pittsburgh school of medicine where he was also the founding director of their multidisciplinary center for research on media technology and health.The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps: Birch Trail Camp for Girls Cheley Colorado Camps Liberty Lake Day Camp North Star Camp for Boys Camp Wawenock for Girls

Want a confident kid? Send them to camp - AND - use some of these tips from legendary Camp Director, Andy Pritikin of Liberty Lake Day Camp! Andy shares how, by trusting the resiliency and confidence of a child and giving them a push in the right direction, we allow them to find their true passions and overcome the physical and social deconditioning brought on by the pandemic. This episode is full of extremely practical advice for parents to use today to use the summer camp secrets before they even get there!-Andy has served as the American Camp Association NY/NJ President, Professional Development Chair, and the Chair of the Tri-State Camp Conference- the largest annual gathering of Camp professionals in the world. For the past 25 years, Andy has been serving on ACA national and regional committees, presenting at conferences across the world, and appearing regularly on TV, in print media, hosting his own podcast, and throughout the internet as one of the leaders of summer camp industry.Prior to starting Liberty Lake Day Camp, Andy was fortunate to work for 10 years with two of the most successful camp organizations in the country, learning from industry legends. A proud supporter of Project Morry and SCOPE, two non-profit organizations which raise money to send inner-city youths to Camp each summer, Andy co-created the Liberty Lake Foundation to support local area children. Andy has been honored with numerous national and regional awards by both the camp industry and business community. Andy has helped create four different camps, including Everwood Day Camp in Massachusetts, which has become the “Liberty Lake” of the greater Boston suburbs. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business and a Masters in Education, Andy began his professional career as a tenured instrumental music teacher, while pursuing a career as a rock musician in the 90s. Andy’s music was on radio and TV, including appearances on “Star Search”, and performing in NYC jazz clubs. These days, Andy’s musical highlights take place on Friday afternoons when he leads the Camp in the “Liberty Lake Song!”The A-Parently Podcast is made possible by the following incredible North American Summer Camps:Birch Trail Camp for GirlsCheley Colorado CampsLiberty Lake Day CampNorth Star Camp for BoysCamp Wawenock for Girls