Session 1: Aniesa Blore: Building connections with children with sensory processing challenges

As parents, we might be worried about how our children are developing. We might realize that their behavior and development are different from their peers, and they need additional support for their needs. We may take them to the doctor who is unable to give a definitive diagnosis. Yet, even without an official diagnosis, we know that our children are different, and parenting them is also challenging. In this talk, Aniesa will share how we can remove the parent guilt and support our children with meeting their goals and coping with their unique challenges.

Session 2: Mona Delahooke, PhD: Understanding the meaning behind meltdowns, tantrums, and other challenging behaviors

When children experience tantrums, meltdowns, aggressive behavior, or emotional shutdown, we often focus on immediately changing their behaviors without first understanding what is going on below the surface. In this talk, Dr. Delahooke will discuss why traditional methods of address challenging behaviors are ineffective and how we need to understand children's individual differences, and the importance of relational safety. 

Session 3: David Green, PhD, RP: The uniqueness of father-child relationships

Fathers play an integral role in their children's lives. Their presence provides unique contributions to their children's development. In this conversation, Dr. Green will discuss the unique features of the father-child relationship, the challenges fathers experience in their parenting journey, and their perspective on fatherhood.

Session 4: Ross Greene, PhD: Collaborative Parenting Solution 

When children misbehave, parents may use punishment, consequences, removal of privileges, bribes, guilt, among other strategies, to modify the behavior. Unfortunately, these strategies may work temporarily, and parents are often bewildered about how they can gain consistent cooperation with their children. Dr. Greene will share with us his evidence-based model, Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, as an alternative. He will share why the model is ideal for identifying problems that cause misbehaviors and finding long-term solutions collaboratively. 

Session 5: Jamie Lachman, DPHIL: Parenting strategies for lifelong health

Parenting across cultures and socioeconomic statuses presents unique challenges requiring a parenting program that is adaptable to the context. In this interview, Dr. Lachman will share the benefits of using the evidence-based Parenting for Lifelong Health program to parent children. This program is developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization to prevent child maltreatment and other forms of violence in the family.

Session 6: Elaine Taylor-Klaus, PCC, CPCC: Parenting children with autism, ADHD, and other neuro-diverse conditions.

Parenting children with ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, autism, depression, ODD, or complex disorders can be quite challenging. Unfortunately, the conventional parenting models often do not work, and parents are left wondering if their relationship with their children will remain challenging. In this conversation, Elaine will explain why taking a parent coaching approach effectively reduces relational challenges and sets realistic goals for ourselves and our children. 

Session 1: Michael Hollander, PhD: Helping teens who self-injure

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among teens is a major concern for parents. Parents are often confused about the purpose and reasons for engaging in the practice and are fearful of the consequences, leading to other more harmful behaviors. Dr. Hollander will be discussing the causes and signs of NSSI and the therapeutic options that are most effective in treating it.

Session 2: Eli Lebowitz, PhD: Helping our children cope with anxiety and OCD

Anxiety and anxiety disorders are steadily increasing among children and teens. Dr. Lebowitz will explain the cause of the increase and the various components of anxiety. We will explain the pitfalls of parenting an anxious child and what we can do as parents to support them without sustaining or increasing their anxiety.

Session 3: Stuart Shanker, DPHIL: Supporting children and teens who are stressed, overwhelmed, or depressed

The stress levels among children and teens have increased exponentially. In this conversation, Dr. Shanker will explain the impact of stress on our children's bodies and the unexpected ways stress is manifested. In addition, he will provide tips on how we can support and reduce the stress levels our children and teens experience. 

Session 4: Janis Whitlock, PhD: Understanding the link between social media, parenting, and self-injury

Dr. Whitlock will discuss why teens who practice Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) feel safe and connected to specific online spaces. Next, she will explain the family dynamics and parenting styles that increase teens' risk of practicing self-injury. Finally, she offers hope and tips to parents struggling with the news that their teen practices NSSI.  

Session 5: Julia von Weiler: Protecting children and teens from sexual abuse

Unfortunately, childhood sexual abuse is on the rise. The pandemic resulted in more of our children needing to be online to engage in educational activities, which increases their risk of interacting with online predators. Julia von Weiler will discuss the signs of in-person abuse and online grooming.  She will also share what we can do as parents and educators to protect children and teens we may suspect are being abused or groomed. 

Session 6: Christopher Willard, Psy.D: Teaching children mindfulness techniques to self-regulate and reduce stress

Stress, anxiety, and other stressful experiences negatively impact our children's and teens' mental well-being. In this relaxing and informative talk, Dr. Willard will share a treasure trove of mindfulness techniques that we can teach with our children to help them to be calm and relaxed in various settings.

Session 1: Ola Adesonaye: Skills our kids need to thrive academically

School and academic requirements are stressful for many children and teens. As a result, they struggle with being organized and motivated to study. In this interview, Ola Adesonaye will provide parents with tips on how they can help their children be encouraged despite setbacks. She will share how we can help them have a mindset that allows them to persevere through adversities and setbacks. She will also provide study tips our children may use to succeed.

Session 2: Phyllis Fagell, LCPC: Fostering life-skills in our tweens

The pandemic has tested our children's and teens' resolved. In this insightful conversation, Phyllis Fagell will share how we can help our children bounce back from the pandemic brain fog they've experienced. In addition, she will share the key life skills our children and teens need to bounce back and strategies to help them regulate their emotions.

Session 3: Rashelle Litchmore, PhD: Understanding how families and educational institutions can support children of racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds in schools

Navigating the education system can be a daunting task for ethnic and minority children and families. In this talk, Dr. Litchmore will share how racism in the education system affects minority children and teens. In addition, she provides valuable tips on parents can support their children, how the teachers and administrators can create an inclusive environment, and how individuals from the majority culture can help these families.

Session 4: Howard Stevenson, PhD: Helping our children understand and cope with Racism and Micro-aggression

Racism is an emotionally driven topic that is often misunderstood. In this informative talk, Dr. Stevenson will explain what racism is or is not. He will explain the role of implicit bias in maintaining racism. Dr. Stevenson will provide a model for racialized people to navigate racial experiences without putting themselves in danger. He will also explain how mindful parenting buffers racialized children from the effects of racism.

Session 1: Michael Jacobus: Helping our kids To detox from their devices

Tech addiction is on the rise, and parents are struggling with how to handle it. In this interview, Michael Jacobus will describe his reset camp for tech-addicted teens. He shares his experience with helping teens recover, and he will provide tips on how parents may reduce the risk of their teens becoming addicted. 

Session 2: Hanniffa Patterson, M.Sc.:  Safeguarding children online

How can we make navigating the internet safe for our children and teens? Hanniffa Patterson will share how we can make using the internet and technology safe for our children and teens.

Session 3: Clifford Sussman, M.D.: Curbing children's and teens' tech addiction

What is going on in our children's and teens' bodies when they are addicted to tech? What are the social, physical, and psychological signs of addiction? These are some of the questions parents struggling with as they try to find a way to balance their children's and teens' tech use. In this interview, Dr. Sussman will share the signs of addiction and how we can create a balanced tech environment for our children and teens. 

 Session 1: Debi John Using play to heal and connect with tweens & teens

Being playful with our younger children is quite easy. However, as our children become tweens and teens, the relaxing free-flowing of playful interactions become more complex. In this talk, Debi John will share the incredible benefits of playing with our tweens and teens. Additionally, she will provide tips on how we can lightening as parents and reconnect through play.  

Session 2: Maximilian von Heyden: Drug and alcohol prevention program in Germany

Maximilian von Heyden, the co-founder of the REBOUND alcohol and drug prevention program, will share the current addiction rates in Germany and the EU. In addition, he will speak about how we can reduce addiction risks and the features of the REBOUND program.

Session 3: Jessica Lahey: How to lower teens' risk for drug use and addiction

The teen years are the most susceptible to drug and alcohol addiction. In this talk, Jessica Lahey will explain what is happening in teens' brains that makes them at risk for addiction. She will provide tips on what parents can do to reduce these risks. 

Session 4: Jennifer Salerno: Communication techniques that build connections with teens

Talking to teens can feel like an uphill battle. Gone are the days when our children will freely share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with us. Instead of being with family, they prefer to hang with their friends, and sometimes, we barely get a word out of them. In this inspirational talk, Dr. Salerno provides practical tips on maintaining a healthy relationship with our teens and how we can create an environment that encourages them to still share their thoughts and feelings with us.