Have you ever felt like your child has a little piece of Velcro stuck to them… and to you? In this episode, we dive into the world of “velcro kids”—children who struggle to separate from their parents—and what it means for both kids and caregivers.

Our guest, Dr. Sara Briggs, a licensed professional counselor, clinical supervisor, and core faculty member at the University of Phoenix, shares her expertise from years of clinical work in private practice, community mental health, hospital settings, and higher education. She explains why some children cling, how it can affect parents’ stress and well-being, and signs that clinginess may need extra attention.

Listeners will also get practical strategies to help children build confidence and independence, while maintaining a strong and loving parent-child bond. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode is full of insights and tips to turn clinginess into an opportunity for growth and connection.

The post Podcast #115: Velcro Kids: Helping Your Child Gain Independence appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

Kids today face intense pressure to perform—on the field, in the classroom, and in their social lives. But when does normal performance stress become something more?

In this episode, Jennifer Licate, school counselor and award-winning children’s book author, joins us to explore how parents, teachers, and coaches can identify when stress turns into anxiety. With over a decade of experience supporting children, Jennifer shares practical strategies for helping kids build resilience, confidence, and healthy coping skills.

Whether it’s a big game, a major test, or everyday social challenges, this episode offers tools to help children manage stress, thrive under pressure, and develop the skills they need to grow emotionally and academically.

The post Podcast #114: Perfection or Pressure appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

In this special bonus episode, host Miriam Conner, sits down with Northeast Ohio 11th grader Alyssa Maniar, who is raising money for Blood Cancer United. Alyssa shares her personal connection to blood cancer and why this cause is so meaningful to her.

Driven, compassionate, and determined to make a difference, she’s using her time and energy to support others and raise awareness in her community. This is an inspiring conversation about purpose, leadership and turning personal passion into action.

The post Podcast #113: Northeast Ohio 11th Grader Raises Awareness About Blood Cancer appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

Parenting is full of surprises—some wonderful, some exhausting. In this episode of aParently Speaking, author, speaker, and personal coach Tomas Lyndahl joins host Miriam Conner to discuss his book, How to Be Happy Even Though You’re a Parent: Effortless Parenting from the Heart.

This isn’t a guidebook with rules or techniques. Instead, Tomas offers a warm, insight-based invitation to rediscover the calm, connected parent that’s already within you—the one who shows up naturally when your mind is clear, your heart is open, and you’re fully present in the moment.

They talk about what to do when parenting isn’t what you expected, how to shift from guilt and chaos to connection, and ways to bring more joy into everyday parenting. If you’ve ever wished for a calmer, happier approach to raising kids, this episode is for you.

The post Podcast #112: Parenting from the Heart: Less Chaos, More Connection appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

Language is how kids connect with the world—and as parents, we all want to help them find their voice. In the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner talks with child development experts Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff , who are back for a second visit after their episode on their best -selling book, Einstein Never Used Flashcards.

They dive into the fascinating world of language development: how to foster language at home, what milestones to watch for, the role of technology and digital toys, and much more. Whether you have a baby just starting to babble or a preschooler forming full sentences, you’ll come away with practical tips and insights from two of the leading voices in early childhood education.

The post Podcast #111: Talking the Talk: Helping Kids Find Their Words appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

We all remember sitting in class wondering, “When am I ever going to use this in real life?” Turns out, parents are asking that same question today. In this episode, illustrator and storyteller Elijah Stanfield—known for The Tuttle Twins series—joins host Miriam Conner on the latest episode of aParently Speaking to talk about a new survey that reveals what parents really want schools to teach their kids.

From life skills to learning how to think—really think—we’re unpacking what modern education could look like if it actually prepared kids for the real world.

The post Podcast #110: From Life Skills to Adulting: What Parents Say Schools Miss appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

AI is changing everything — fast. From chatbots doing homework to deepfakes that blur the line between real and fake, today’s kids are growing up in a digital world unlike anything we’ve seen before. And most parents? They’re not getting the full story.

In the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner is joined by Angela Nakalembe — a mom and tech professional at Google (speaking personally, not on behalf of the company) with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity and digital literacy. Angela brings a clear, practical voice to the complex and often hidden risks our kids are exposed to online, especially in the age of AI.

They discuss topics including:

• Why traditional parental controls aren’t enough anymore
• How deepfakes and behavioral data are reshaping childhood
• What schools should be teaching about digital footprints
• And how parents can actually stay informed and empowered

If you’re a parent of Gen Alpha or Gen Z, this is a must-listen conversation that cuts through the tech jargon and gets real about what families need to know now.

aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored by Nickajack Farms.

The post Podcast #109: How Safe are your Kids Online? appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner is joined by Susan McNamara — author of Remembering What Matters Most: A Call to Courage for Parents Ready to Take a Stand for Childhood in The Age of Technology. McNamara shares the personal story behind her new book and the journey that led her to write it over the last 15 years.

As a mother of two grown children and a passionate advocate for conscious parenting, Susan explores what it really means to raise children with intention in a world dominated by screens, distractions, and expert-driven advice.

She speaks candidly about the three pillars that shaped her parenting and her book: learning to be present, discovering and living your personal values, and making decisions based on the real needs of children — not just the cultural noise around us.

aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored by Nickajack Farms.

The post Podcast #108: “A Call to Courage: Parenting with Presence in the Age of Technology” appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.