When I first recorded this episode it was in response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary that was preceded by the supermarket shooting days earlier. With gun violence on the rise, more mass shootings, war in many countries, there is no time better than now to help our kids understand and make sense of what seems like senseless violence. Please listen to my brilliant guest, Barbara Rubel and how she shares her own story and provides us with a path forward for us and our kids.

Please listen and please share.

Gun violence has been heavy on everyone’s mind with the horrific massacre at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York and just ten days later, the shooting of innocent lives at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. It makes sense that you have feelings about what’s happened and are grieving the loss of life and innocence whether you know the victims or not.

As parents, it hits us especially hard when we see innocent children killed. Sending our kids to school brings up anxiety and fear in us, and our sense of safety is gone.

How do we live with the anxiety and fear we are all feeling?

How do we make sense out of senseless violence?

How do we make meaning out of something so tragic?

Barbara Rubel, as a Thanatologist, is an expert in death, dying and bereavement. She helps people cope with, and move on from, sudden traumatic loss.

Barbara and I talk about how we can process these tragedies, grieve the loss of the innocent lives, explain what’s happened to our kids, take care of ourselves at this time and move through the pain.

I have enormous respect for the work Barbara does, and I know you will love what she has to share. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we have to have these hard conversations with our kids. When you go to them, stay rooted in your strengths, explain death in a way that’s age appropriate and aligned with your beliefs, and it’s ok to show emotions to your children. Feeling sad is normal and natural, this IS sad.

For more on how to talk to your children about hard things such as this, please watch this video with 6 Steps to Talk to Your Kids About Hard Things: https://youtu.be/RCVp51ANqDg

About Barbara Rubel

Barbara Rubel is a Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Barbara received a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts degree in community health, with a concentration in Thanatology from Brooklyn College. Barbara is the author of several books including, the must-read book for clinicians, “But I didn’t Say Goodbye: Helping Families after a suicide.”

Contact Information:

Email: barbararubel@barbararubel.com

Social Profiles:

Instagram: @barbararubel

Website: https://www.griefworkcenter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraRubelMA/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MsBRubel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbararubel/

Thanks for listening!

It means so much to me that you listened to my podcast! If you resonate with my message and would like my personal help in your parenting journey, I’d love to talk to you. Please visit my website to book a call with me where we can talk about your parenting frustrations and I’ll share how I can help you. www.parentingforconnection.com

My intention with my show is to build a community of parents that can have open and honest conversations about parenting without judgement or criticism. We have too much of that!

I honor each parent and their path towards becoming the best parent they can be. My hope is to inspire more parents to consider the practice of Peaceful Parenting.

If you know somebody who would benefit from this message, or would be an awesome addition to our community, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some...

In this episode, I’m talking about eating disorders, what they are, the different kinds, why they develop, what are at their core and how you can support your child. 

My guest is Dr. Elizabeth Easton who is an expert in this area.  She wants you to know that there is hope for those who are suffering, those that love them, and treatment is possible.  Dr. Easton talks about how our kids are navigating a stressful world and temporarily, eating disorders can allow a person to feel soothed, in control, avoid something bad from happening and feel less overwhelmed.  

The fact is that eating disorders are the second highest cause of death among youth, with opioids being at the top.  If you are worried about your child, Dr. Easton explains how to talk to them so they feel safe talking to you.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please share this episode, it could save a life. 

For Dr Easton’s handouts for parents, you can download them  from the Parent Toolbox.  www.parent-toolbox.com

About Elizabeth Easton

Dr. Elizabeth Easton is a Clinical Psychologist. She serves as the National Director of Psychotherapy at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center. She is also the owner of Easton Psychological Services, PLLC. At ERC Pathlight, she consults on all psychotherapy services nationally for patients and caregivers, as well as support clinician development and training. Over the last decade, Dr. Easton developed and oversaw two higher levels of care treatment centers in Denver, Colorado before moving into her current role. Dr. Easton is a certified Advanced Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). She is also a board member for the International Institute for EFFT (IIEFFT). As a clinician, leader, and educator, Dr. Easton has dedicated her career to the power of caregivers as the agents of change and healing for their loved ones.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eating-recovery-center

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EatingRecoveryCenter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatingrecovery/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EatingRecovery

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCspO95XDFYViETpZCq4bA3Q

Thanks for listening!  For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading! 

FREE GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STRONG-WILLED KIDS: “How to Turn a NO into Cooperation” go to www.strongwilledkids.com

About Robbin

Robbin’s work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence.  She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the...

Bedwetting is no joke when it impacts your child.  In fact, my guest on this episode, considers it a “life spoiling issue.”  It’s not just your child wetting the bed, it’s our reaction to it that is usually based in fear and leads us to shame or punish the child.

Before you read any further, you must know that this is NOT.YOUR.CHILD’S.FAULT nor is it your fault!  Let’s end the shame and punishments around bedwetting here.

My guest is Dr. Danielle Sweeney, of Austin, Texas who is a Pediatric Urologist and is a faculty member at Texas Children’s Hospital. She wants every parent and caregiver to know that bed wetting isn’t intentional, it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the child and more children struggle with bedwetting than you know, even into the teen years.

In this episode, Dr. Sweeney explains that bedwetting is tied to your child’s development and how children develop at different speeds.  She also discusses why it happens, what to do if your child starts wetting the bed, what issues might be going on and other medical issues that might get in the way. 

For Dr. Sweeney’s handout, “Coping with Your Child’s Bedwetting”, you can download it from the Parent Toolbox.  www.parent-toolbox.com

About Dr. Danielle Sweeney

Dr. Danielle D. Sweeney is a is a board-certified Pediatric Urologist from Austin, Texas who is currently a member of the faculty of Texas Children’s Hospital. She currently holds an adjunct faculty position with the University of Texas-Austin, Dell Medical School in the Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care. She did her undergraduate and medical school training at Tulane University in New Orleans, her Urologic Surgery Residency at the University of Pittsburgh, and her Pediatric Urology Fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She also completed a Global Health Certificate Program at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Social Media:

Web: www.vamiohealth.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vamiohealth

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vamiohealth/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vamiohealth

Thanks for listening!  For more on Robbin, her work and free resources, keep reading!

FREE GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STRONG-WILLED KIDS: “How to Turn a NO into Cooperation” go to www.strongwilledkids.com

About Robbin

Robbin’s work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence.  She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process!  For more, go to www.parentingforconnection.com