Parenting for Thought

Mastering Empathetic Dialogue with Raffi Bilek

Join us on Parenting for Thought with host Emry Kettle as we dive into calm and effective communication strategies with marriage counselor and author Raffi Bilek. In this episode, Raffi discusses key principles from his book 'The Couple's Communication Handbook,' emphasizing the value of taking breaks, empathic dialogue, and separating exploration from resolution in discussions. Perfect for parents, couples, and anyone looking to improve their relationships. Tune in for practical advice and real-life examples!
00:00 The Importance of Timing in Communication
01:38 Effective Communication in Relationships
02:56 Handling Emotional Spikes in Parenting
05:36 The Myth of Never Going to Bed Angry
12:22 Empathic Dialogue: A Framework for Better Communication
19:09 Applying Communication Strategies Beyond Marriage
24:59 Balancing Emotions and Taking Breaks
32:57 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
Find Raffi’s book here https://www.thecommunicationbook.com/
Connect with Emry here www.emrykettle.com
www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach
 

Navigating Childcare: Tips, Tricks, and Communication Hacks with Larissa Hazell

Today's guest on Parenting for Thought is Larissa, a childcare navigator, shares invaluable insights on choosing the right childcare options—be it a nanny, babysitter, or nursery. Larissa emphasizes the vital role of communication between parents and childcare providers to ensure the best care for children. 
 
Tune in to learn practical advice on managing expectations, discussing key issues like food and behavior, and understanding the importance of aligning values. Larissa also talks about her book, 'Questions to Ask Prospective Child Care Settings and Child Minders,' packed with over 140 questions to help parents make informed decisions. Whether you're a seasoned parent or just starting this journey, this episode is a must-watch!
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Childcare as a Third Parent
00:40 Meet Larissa: The Childcare Navigator
02:55 Finding the Right Childcare: Tips and Advice
04:48 The Value of In-Home Childcare
10:39 Balancing Childcare and Personal Values
23:14 Behavior Management and Childcare
29:20 The Importance of Communication
35:15 Resources for Parents
 
Connect with Larissa here:
https://www.thechildcarenavigator.com
 
Get Larissa’s book here:
https://thechildcarenavigator.com/product-details/product/ultimateguide
 
Connect with Emry here:
https://www.emrykettle.com
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

Preventing Eating Disorders with Good Foundations: Food Neutrality with Dr. Anna Colton

In this episode of Parenting for Thought, host Emry Kettle, a Child Behavior Specialist, sits down with Dr. Anna Colton, a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience working with eating disorders. They explore how parents can help their children develop a balanced and confident relationship with food, reducing the risk of eating disorders. Dr. Colton shares insights from her new book, How to Talk to Children About Food, unpacks the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, explains the importance of food neutrality, and offers practical guidance for navigating conversations about food and setting supportive boundaries.
00:00 Introduction & Meet Dr. Anna Colton
02:30 Eating Disorders vs. Disordered Eating
06:55 Parenting & Food Conversations
20:17 Food Neutrality & Diet Culture’s Impact
30:05 Repairing Parenting Mistakes & Reducing Shame
41:26 Final Thoughts & Resources
 
More about Dr Anna: 
https://www.dranna.co.uk/about
https://www.instagram.com/drannacolton/
 
Get the book here: 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Talk-Children-About-Food/dp/1785120557
 
More about Emry
https://www.emrykettle.com
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach

Understanding Stress Response: A Chat with Rachel Mark

In this episode of Parenting for Thought, I’m joined by Rachel Mark, an acupuncturist and integrative health coach, to unpack how our nervous system handles stress. Rachel breaks down what "activation" really means—it’s not just about being obviously stressed—and shares relatable examples from daily life.
We chat about how the sympathetic (fight/flight) and parasympathetic (rest/digest) nervous systems work, why modern stress feels so overwhelming, and how our emotional responses (like anger!) are often misunderstood. Rachel shares practical tips for hitting pause and resetting your system, plus we explore neuroplasticity and how the patterns we picked up as kids can be rewired.
Come hang out with us for this inspiring, down-to-earth conversation about stress, emotions, and building a calmer, healthier life—for you and your kids.
Here’s the breakdown:00:00 Activation & Stress (it’s not what you think!)01:17 Intro to Parenting for Thought02:09 Meet Rachel Mark05:36 How the Nervous System Works11:56 Fight/Flight vs. Rest/Digest17:15 Real-Life Stress Responses21:28 The Invisible Load of Moms22:52 What a Healthy Nervous System Really Looks Like25:38 Safe Ways to Express Emotions30:21 Childhood Experiences & Nervous System Patterns36:01 How to Rewire Your Stress Response40:35 Stress-Busting Tips for Parents43:42 Wrap-Up & Resources
 
Find and connect with Rachel here: 
http://www.rachelmark.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/rachelmark.ca/
Website: https://www.rachelmark.ca/
Free quiz to find out how much stress is affecting your hormones:
https://www.rachelmark.ca/quiz
Free sleep meditation:
https://www.rachelmark.ca/sleep-meditation
$22 Reset to Ditch Stress and Recharge your Hormones:
https://www.rachelmark.ca/10DayReset
 
Find and connect with Emry here:
https://www.emrykettle.com
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

Navigating Postpartum Challenges with Tiff D'Amico

In this heartfelt episode of 'Parenting for Thought,' we dive deep into the postpartum journey with Tiff D'Amico. Tiff shares her expertise on postpartum depression and personal experiences with loss. They discuss the societal pressures and systemic issues new parents face, especially in neurodivergent communities. 
The conversation covers a range of critical topics, including the lack of postpartum support, the challenges of managing new motherhood, and the stigma around seeking help. Tiff also introduces the Fair Play system and offers practical advice for preparing for parenthood. Tune in for a raw and insightful discussion aimed at helping parents build a supportive community and ensuring the safety and well-being of their families.
Note: trigger warning for loss around the 32 minute mark.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Parenting for Thought
00:34 The Struggles of Postpartum Depression
02:07 Meet Tiff D'Amico: A Postpartum Strategist
03:23 Challenges Faced by Birthing Parents
07:33 The Lack of Postpartum Support
12:05 The Impact of Societal Expectations
18:58 The Reality of Birth and Parenting
21:57 Understanding Postpartum Depression
22:43 The Isolation of New Mothers
23:50 Fear of Change and Seeking Help
24:44 Financial Struggles and Support Systems
26:00 Establishing Equitable Family Systems
27:15 The Importance of Preparation
31:22 Recognizing Risk Factors
32:31 The Broken Healthcare System
34:26 Final Thoughts and Resources
 
Find and connect with Tiff here: 
https://www.tiffdee.com/
 
Find and connect with Emry here:
https://www.emrykettle.com
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

Embracing Queer Identities: Parenting with Love and Acceptance with Maarit Grönroos

Join us on Parenting for Thought as I sit down with Maarit Grönroos, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist specializing in gender, sexual, and relationship diversities. In this episode, we explore the importance of parental support for LGBTQ+ teens and how acceptance goes beyond words. Hear valuable insights for parents on fostering an open, loving, and safe environment for their children to express their true selves. Don't miss this enriching conversation that bridges the generational gap and promotes understanding and emotional intelligence in the home.
00:00 Generational Shifts in Understanding Gender
00:59 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
02:08 Maarit Grönroos: Background and Expertise
02:35 Supporting Queer Teens: Personal Stories and Insights
03:58 Parenting Challenges and Emotional Intelligence
11:16 Acceptance and Values: A Personal Reflection
17:09 Practical Tips for Parents: Books, Art, and Conversations
25:24 Repairing Past Mistakes and Moving Forward
27:29 The Importance of Pronouns and Connection
29:10 Conclusion and Future Collaborations
Find Maarit Grönroos here:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_maarit_g/
Find Emry Kettle here:
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/
https://www.emrykettle.com/

Meditation and Parenting: Breaking Generational Cycles

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jason Dobbie, life coach and founder of Transformative Pathways. In this episode of Parenting for Thought, Jason shares his journey from being a professional chef to becoming a life coach, the impact of meditation on his life and parenting, and the importance of creating supportive spaces for men. Discover practical parenting tips, the significance of inner child work, and how calmness and self-awareness can transform your family dynamics.
00:00 Introduction: The Bedtime Struggle
01:53 Meet Jason Dobbie: From Chef to Life Coach
05:35 The Power of Meditation in Parenting
09:46 Breaking the Cycle: Parenting with Emotional Awareness
21:53 Inner Child Work and Forgiveness
31:32 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Find Jason Dobbie here:
https://www.transformativepathways.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/transformative__pathways/
Find Emry Kettle here:
https://www.emrykettle.com
https://www.instagram.com/emrykettle.coach/

The Confidence Cycle: Confident Parents Raising Confident Kids

Host Emry Kettle, a child behavior specialist, introduces the 'Parenting for Thought' podcast, aiming to equip parents with knowledge for raising emotionally healthy children. Emry discusses the importance of understanding child development and addressing parents' confidence issues. Guest Kelsey Wesley, a confidence coach, shares her personal journey of overcoming facial differences and developing self-confidence. The conversation delves into the impact of parental self-confidence on raising confident children, emphasizing the need for parents to model healthy behaviors and engage in self-development. The episode highlights the significance of play, responding versus reacting, and maintaining a positive, self-accepting attitude. They conclude by acknowledging the necessity for more discussions on raising confident children, hinting at a part two.
Links 👇
Kelsey Wesley 
Kelsey's Instagram
 
Emry Kettle
Emry's Instagram
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