Successful Parenting

Reflecting on our childhoods, many of us may find that our homes were not always filled with happy memories. Whether due to family dynamics, personal challenges, or other factors, creating a nurturing environment was not always easy. But the good news is, it is never too late to cultivate a healthier and happier home life for us and our families.

Join Jacqueline & Robin in this week's episode as they explore practical tips ...

Every child is unique, and understanding their individual needs is crucial for effective parenting. In this week's episode, Jacqueline & Robin delve into the nuanced art of recognizing and addressing the emotional needs of our children. From tailoring parenting approaches to supporting each child's journey towards realizing their full potential, they'll explore practical strategies and insights. Whether fostering re...

Jacqueline and Robin dive into some unchartered waters, and WOW, they learn a lot. Join in for this week's topic, focusing on safety, particularly GUN Safety. What this conversation is and what it is not! First, this is not about whether or not to own a gun, or if guns should or should not be legal. This conversation entails learning and teaching our children about safety and ensuring our children do not have access to guns, as...

This week's episode will intrigue listeners as Jacqueline and Robin sit down with Dr. Etel Leit, a pediatric communication advocate. Dr. Leit has helped thousands of clients all over the nation, including many high-profile families in the Beverly Hills area. She has authored four books, and was featured on various media outlets, including NBC, CNN, WeTV, and the Style Network. 

Baby sign language? Isn't that just teach...

While some children are better test takers than others, a little bit of guidance and prep can go a long way. 2024 brought about many changes in the standardized testing world, with new programs, guidelines, formats, and much more. This week, Jacqueline & Robin dive into the world of standardized testing, particularly standardized assessments, such as the SAT, ACT, and other College Board Exams. Guest Expert, Dr. Shaan Patel, th...

Fear of failure or perfectionism, that is the question. We hear from families, either parents or children themselves, that a quest to avoid failure leads to increased stress, unrealistic expectations, and feelings of despair. This week’s topic explores this theme intentionally, looking at how our ‘fear of failure’ mindset impacts our parenting, sometimes even projecting this mindset onto our children. Jacqueline and Robin recognize...

Spring Break, or really any break from work or school, can bring a much-needed rest and fun. It can be a reset for children and parents alike. However, many listeners have said that while they hoped their children would feel more recharged and engaged following a break, this is Ien not the case. For children dealing with emotional or behavioral challenges, breaks can cause disruptions to routine, often leading to regression and dif...

Parenting is, at times, challenging, especially when the parents are already dealing with conflict, extreme stress, hurt feelings, or even turbulence in their relationship. Some parenting relationships exist amongst separation, sometimes within the same house, divorce, or other unique dynamics. Guest Expert, Pamala Rak, has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in supporting families during these times, developing effective co-parent...

Hello Parents, have you ever dealt with your own mental health concerns? Have you ever worried about your child and struggled to know how to support them? Jacqueline & Robin have, which prompted them to reach out to expert, author, and keynote speaker Mike Bushman. In this week’s episode, Mike will share his journey, moving from a teenager with severe depression and suicidal thoughts to a successful professional and advocate fo...

What are some of the secrets to joyful parenting, or finding joy and gratitude during even the most challenging times of parenting? So often we may find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, looking for glimpses of hope amidst the chaos. This week’s guest expert, Shira Greenfield, teaches listeners about the Perma Model of Wellbeing and how the pillars described can contribute to our overall well-being, which in turn impacts...

This is no easy topic. Listeners have contacted us requesting tips on ways to support their children in dealing with these difficult conversations. Have you dealt with the loss of a loved one, maybe from a terminal illness, even one impacting a child directly or indirectly? This week’s episode focuses on ways to speak to our children about Grief and Loss, including terminal illness and traumatic injuries, and all the things in betw...

According to SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs) 2009 to 2014 data, about 1 in 8 children (8.7 million) aged 17 or younger lived in households with at least one parent who had a past year substance use disorder (SUD). Wow, while these statistics seem high, recent research studies point to a lot higher statistical numbers. We do know the earlier children begin...

Jacqueline Rhew, LCPC, Dr. Robin Choquette, and Lauren Bilbrey, MA, LB1, share why class and school engagement matter.  School engagement promotes mental health, resiliency, academic achievement, physical health, and social skill development for starters. Listeners will learn strategies to support school engagement, as well as obstacles many families face, including school and student interventions. Whether you are a parent or an e...

Sometimes, tragedy or loss occurs unexpectedly, impacting our families and communities. It is often difficult to express our emotions in words, let alone know how to support and respond to our children as they navigate their grief, trying to make sense of it all. Jacqueline and Robin focus this week’s conversation on ways parents can understand and talk to their children about their feelings and reactions. While it may be difficult...

Parents often wonder "how much is too much" when it comes to their children's sibling fights, especially those that involve verbal or physical aggression. Does the old saying 'kids will be kids' apply here? Or should parents intervene? And if so, how and when? The other question that comes up a lot is "Is teaching how to handle conflict essential for children? Guest expert, Dan Blair, shares with listener...

This week’s episode is covering a topic that listeners often request. If you are a parent, you have most likely asked yourself, why is my child so defiant? Or where did I go wrong? Dr. Cecelia Horan sits down with Jacqueline and Robin to discuss real and practical strategies that work to reduce and de-escalate those undesired behaviors. All children do display defiant behaviors, some more than others, and these strategies will not ...

What do we want to be different in 2024?

Parents have reached out and told us that they want deeper connections with their children. Others have reached out and noted that they would like to work with their children on increasing confidence and autonomy. As parents, we can be our own harshest critics, so as parents recognize that our children are resilient, and as long as we keep showing up each day, they will continue to grow and...

Jacqueline and Robin would like to wish all their listeners an incredibly Happy and Healthy New Year!

A special note from Jacqueline & Robin, “We would like to share our appreciation to all our listeners and guest experts, especially for following along each week, sharing personal stories, and continuing to inspire us to be better. We hope we continue learning from one another in 2024, as it truly takes a village to raise a chi...

During this episode, Jacqueline and Robin share laughter and festive cheer. Listeners will also learn a few tips to sprinkle some routine and healthy habits, even making holidays fun. While holidays can be a time of love and joy, the excitement and hype can be overwhelming and even stressful for some. These tips will make it a bit easier for children having a holiday break from school to head back into the more structured day. From...