The Parent Trip

Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret are back at the table to discuss something we all know too well.  Even if we don’t want to admit it.  Screen Time.  Distractions.  Technology. We welcome Matthew Jervis, author of the book, “How to Entertain, Distract and Unplug Your Kids: tricks, tools, and spontaneous screen free activities”.  Matthew is joining us via Skype as he shares his childhood stories and thoughts on developing his book. To purchase the book: http://www.amazon.com/Entertain-Distract-Unplug-Your-Kids/dp/1632206250/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443201080&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+entertain+distract+and+unplug+your+kidsMatthew’s website: www.makeitcreativity.com

Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret learned quite a bit this episode and we are pretty sure you will too!  We welcome Brian Smith, Becky Beerbower, and Caroline Allen to the table as we discuss the ins and outs of Learning Disabilities.  How to look for them, how to diagnose them, and how to handle them.  There are resources and advice given that can benefit parents, teachers, and kids alike.  Tune in to hear what these experts have to share! For more information, check out: www.interdys.org

This quick trip offers up a few outside the box ideas for finding sitter.  Everyone needs some alone time now and then, and family or firends aren't always an ooption. So, here's what we came up with. Tune in now to The Parent Trip: Quick Trips!

Well, this show may be a little awkward at times, but Mary-Margaret and Carol Anne power through it!  Tough topic or not, this is a very important discussion for parents to have with their kids.  You may surprised at what we find out... in fact, we learned a lot on this episode!   We welcome Judy Ingold to the table for the dos and don'ts & the hows and whys...about the birds and the bees. 

Finally back from summer break, Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret welcome special guest, Ann Miller, to the table to help us get down to the nitty gritty of ADHD. Ann Miller is an expert ADHD coach with ADD 2 Success ADHD Coaching. Ann is dedicated to helping teens and young adults with ADHD and similar issues reach peak academic and personal success. She believes parents need encouragement and support during this transition of their children into adulthood. Having ADD herself along with raising two sons with it, she has personally experienced every possible symptom and challenge that both students and parents experience with ADHD in the family. Ann has a unique ability to connect deeply with students and parents individually plus bring increased communication and harmony back into the family. Blog: www.add2success.com/blog College Readiness Assessment: www.add2success.net/college-readiness

We all do it, nobody wants to, but its going to happen - especially with children.  It's STRESS!  Mary-Margaret and Carol Anne touch on a few easy things you can do to release your tension and avoid sobbing on the kitchen floor (not that we'd know anything about that).  Breathe in, breathe out... and listen to The Parent Trip! 

Its the famous last words of a parents' sanity… "I'm bored!" With summer quickly approaching, Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret have some tips on how to get the jump start on keeping your kids active and happy!

Need some tips to pull off the perfect April Fools joke on your kids? We've got you covered! Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret give you some easy and fun ideas to help "get them good" in this silly Quick Trip!

You never want to talk about it, but, now days you have to.  Tragedy effects so many aspects of childrens lives... but when it happens at school, its a whole new discussion.  How do you talk to your child about it? What is being done to prevent it?  What can you do to help the authorities?  Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret are joined by Steve Demiter, Assistant Superintendent of Catawba County Schools and Captain Alton Price of the Catawba County Sherriffs Department.  These gentlemen discuss what is being done in our local schools and how recent events have led authorities to step outside the box and evaluate their policies.  

The big day is almost here!  Can Michael prepare for baby Willard just like he did in high school?  Wait... what do you mean he made D's and fell asleep?  What's he in store for?  He's learning massage, eating snacks, watching "the video" and cramming all he can for the final exam!  

'Tis the season for holiday traditions and podcasts!  Here's a Quick Trip just for you and yours to enjoy this festive season... see you in 2013!  

Just a Quick Trip to say "Thanks" to our listeners -- and give you some super fun Thanksgiving traditions you can start of your own!  Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret are thankful for you!  

We all know that parenting is pretty much the hardest job out there.  Now, imagine doing it by yourself.  This month on The Parent Trip, Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret sit down with Chris, a Dad who has been there and done that when it comes to single parenting.  Dad to both a girl and boy, he has pretty much seen it all.  What about having "the talk"?  How do you start dating again?  What are some things you can do for yourself?  Its enough to make your head spin, yet somehow, single parents pull it off.  Listen in and let's find out how.  

Our dad-to-be, Michael, discusses his "Daddy-Do List".  All of which need to be handled before the DUE date.

Its election time here in the US. Opinions are flying, mudslinging on the TV, and talk of it even happens on the playground. What's a parent to do? Since there's no real escaping the election buzz - what's the best way to handle it? Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret ask the tough questions that most want to avoid and seek guidance from political enthusiast & dad Alan to help them figure it out. No matter who you're voting for - this is an episode you don't want to miss.

From late night cravings to 4 am feedings – Dads share in this crazy trip too! There's a new segment on The Parent Trip, as we welcome a new member to our team this week with the "Dad Files". Listen in and follow along as new dad Michael prepares for the babys arrival while juggling his his own life too!

Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret both love the water... and want their kids to as well! But, how do you overcome the fear of water in the face? What about explaining how to float? Is doggy-paddling okay? Since we want some water-lovin' babies - we brought in the expert to help us out. Everyone should know how to swim... age doesn't matter! Listen in and find out some tips to take your kid from the bath-tub to swim champ!

Its that time of year again -- back to school! Its not just about shopping and new teachers - there's lots to get ready for! Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret have some tips for you and your kids about getting back in the swing of things to help with the transitions you may face. You and your kids have to make some adjustments after these lazy summer days... listen in and make sure you are ready to take on the year with energy!

The word “chores” may strike fear in to the heart of any kid – but no worries parents!  Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret of The Parent Trip, have a “Quick Trip” for you to help ease your child into the proper chores for his or her age.  Show them chores are more than busy work – they are actually fundamental in emotional growth.  Who knew, right?  Running Time: 14 minutes

You can call it organic, you can say its too hard to do – but this show is about getting down to the nitty gritty of holistic living and how it can effect and aide your parenting. Turns out, its not really hard to adapt to… in fact, your grandparents were probably living this way in their everyday life! Suzanne for The MESH’s “Be Holistic” is our guest today as we discover there is a little “hippie” in all of us! You just have to listen… ‘cause, we know, parenting sure is one crazy trip!

You may think hippy or dirty. Maybe old or broken? But “reduce, reuse and recycle” have become everyday language in our kids lives. Actually, “going green” can mean a lot of things… and today we share some quick ideas on how you can guide your kids to a greener lifestyle! Plus, this serves as a nice teaser to the upcoming full-length episode of The Parent Trip… all about parenting holistically. Join us on this crazy trip we call parenting!

Your hosts Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret take a Quick Trip by talking about making mealtime easier for your busy, on-the-go lifestyle. Join in as we generate ideas to make feeding the family a little less hectic. Less time for planning means more time for enjoying your little ones! With tips about pre-chopping to freezer style, this Quick Trip is one you don’t want to miss. Running Time: 10 minutes

What causes sibling rivalry? Is it good clean fun or something to worry about? What about bullying? Is it the “social media craze” or has nothing changed since the beginning of time? Man, there is so much going on in this episode. Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret welcome Jackie and Mike as we talk about siblings, bullies, the causes, effects, and how to curb these behaviors. But – its not all business, we talk about Jackie’s style, Mikes look-alike, MM’s Halloween dilemma, and Carol Annes love of “whacking bees”. You just have to listen… ‘cause parenting sure is one crazy trip!

Summer is fast approaching and your hosts Mary-Margaret and Carol Anne are ahead of the game. We’ve got a few suggestions for keeping summer time as organized, relaxed and easy going as possible for you and your children. From sunscreen applications to setting a schedule and making sure chores don’t just disappear, tune in to this Quick Trip for your summer suggestion overview. Running Time: 14 minutes

Your hosts Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret take a Quick Trip discussing the technology parents have a love-hate relationship with: television. Join us as we share our tips with how to minimize kids exposure to TV. Some are as easy as unplugging and getting outside. This Quick Trip is appropriate for parents of the youngest and the oldest, so tune in and find out how to tune out! Running Time: 11 minutes

Your hosts Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret take a Quick Trip by talking about ways to make birthday parties both fun, cost and time efficient. Listen in as we generate awesome ideas like taking a trip to the movies and visiting the local fire department. With tips on how to manage your day from the invitations to the ending, this Quick Trip is one you won’t want to miss. Running Time: 13 minutes

Hosts of The Parent Trip, Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret bring you the first “Quick Trip” by talking about ways to both make and save money for children of all ages. With a three piggy bank system and other quick, simple tips, your hosts help make parenting money-savvy kids just a little bit easier.

This month on The Parent Trip, two special guests join Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret during a Valentine’s Edition of your favorite parenting podcast. Happily married to your hosts, Wes and Jeff join the discussion as they talk about how these marriages got their start and how they’ve developed into encouraging, motivational parents. Spending their time encouraging children to follow their dreams, explore their talents and discover their passion, your hosts’ dive into the topic of raising children who grow up to do what they love. Find out how these parents balance their children’s interest and what’s in the best interest of their children on this episode of The Parent Trip. Running time: 69 minutes

Dads take over The Parent Trip in this episode as hosts Mary-Margaret and Carol Anne welcome tech-savvy fathers on the air to discuss raising kids in the era of technology. Lin Ward, a security administrator and father of one, and Matt Anderson, a systems architect and father of seven, converse about everything from Kindles to Facebook while Mary-Margaret and Carol Anne share their own experiences with raising children in a world of technology. Mary-Margaret even gives us the secret to making young children get ready in the mornings without any fuss… could electronic cupcake making be the answer? Find out on this month’s episode of The Parent Trip. Running time: 66 minutes

Ideas galore! Looking for something to do with your kids as the weather turns cold? The Parent Trip has you covered... tune in and hear some of these amazing ideas! Also, we finally learn what a "tween" is and re-live our college days with a Parent Trip tribute to the Solo cup. Join us on this crazy trip! Running time: 62 minutes

The holiday season is here!  So that means... lots of yummy food!  But how do we keep our kids from only visiting the dessert table?  Does it really work to sneak their veggies in other dishes?  The Parent Trip welcomes Michelle Rimer, Director of The Solmaz Institute, on this journey to learning some tips for keeping your family happy and healthy on holidays... and every day! Running time: 64 minutes For more information on The Solmaz Institute at Lenoir-Rhyne University, visit their web site at http://solmaz.lr.edu/. Show Notes:  The follow iPhone apps are mentioned during the show and are recommended by our hosts: Grocery Gadget - Shopping List - Flixoft, Inc Nutrition Menu - Calorie, Exercise, Weight & Water Tracking - Shroomies GoodFoodNearYou - Fitplanet Food Additives 2 - IGRASS PTY LTD

In this, the newest show on The MESH, Carol Anne and Mary-Margaret admit they need help!  Raising kids is tough and they've just started.  So, The Parent Trip hopes to search for the answers and guidance on raising todays kids.  We used to play outside until the street lights came on and our parents knew we'd be home by then.  Would you allow that now?  What about teaching your kid how to properly use technology?  Healthy eating, self confidence, and much more are discussed in this first episode.