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We dreamt (and at times dreaded) the day when our children would leave the nest and start their own adventure (whatever that would be), and then in a blink of an eye, the day was here.

Join Ken and Michelle as they share a very personal inside view of their family as they prepare to send their youngest off to college. Though this is not the first time they have done this having three older children, this is however the first time they will find themselves as "empty nesters".

Before going to college, Chris shared their (sometimes hilarious) perspective about leaving home to head to college and what they hope every parent (including their own) can do to support this tremendous step. Ken and Michelle also share their perspective on finding the balance between supporting and letting go.

This episode is for every parent going through this transition, and for all the parents anticipating the "big leap".

SHARE your experience with us!

Sponsored by the Idaho Children's Trust Fund
https://idahochildrenstrustfund.org/

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Join Ken and Michelle as they sit down with Sonja Howerton. She serves as the Executive Director at the Idaho Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, contributing to the organization's mission to enhance responses to child maltreatment and promote healthy futures for children.

As children head back to school, families are busy buying supplies, adjusting routines, and preparing for a successful year. It is also the perfect time to refresh the conversations and safety practices that help protect children both in and out of the classroom. From reviewing family safety rules to checking in about new teachers, coaches, and after-school activities, small conversations can have a lasting impact.-(The Advocate)

Back-to-School Safety Checklist for Parents & Caregivers

Review family safety rules.
Talk about body safety, boundaries, consent, and remind your child that they can always tell a trusted adult if something makes them uncomfortable.

Identify trusted adults.
Help your child identify safe adults that you have personally gotten to know and trust at school, in sports, after-school programs, and within your family.

Know who is caring for your child.
Learn about your child's teachers, coaches, volunteers, and after-school providers. Ask about supervision policies, screening practices, and child protection procedures.

Review pick-up and emergency plans.
Make sure your child knows who is allowed to pick them up, what to do if plans change, and how to reach trusted adults.

Talk about technology.
Review expectations for phones, gaming, messaging, and social media, and encourage your child to tell you if anything online makes them uncomfortable.

Check in often.
Rather than asking, "How was school?" try open-ended questions like:

* What was the best part of your day?

* What stands out to you about today?

* Who did you spend time with today?

* Was there anything different about today?

* Tell me about that.

RESOURCES:

Idaho Network of Children's Advocacy Centers Website:

https://cacidaho.org/

Stewards of Children Training: Every child deserves a safe, healthy childhood, and every adult has a role to play in protecting children from abuse. Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed, award-winning training designed to educate adults on how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

https://cacidaho.org/events/scheduled-trainings.html/event/2026/09/24/stewards-of-children

LOCATIONS (Idaho):

https://cacidaho.org/child-advocacy-center/what-is-a-child-advocacy-center.html

Donate to CACIdaho:

https://cacidaho.org/donate.html

NetSmartz:

NetSmartz is NCMEC's online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.

https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home

National Children's Alliance-The Force behind Children's Advocacy Centers

https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/

Find a Location near you: https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/nca-members/

Sponsored by the Idaho Children's Trust Fund
https://idahochildrenstrustfund.org/

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It's that time of year again when schedules change because the kids are going back to school. This transition can be an exciting time for both children and their caregivers but it can also be filled with trepidation. Join Ken and Michelle as they visit with Star Elementary School Librarian Kelsey Biscardi Thomas. In addition to her full-time job as a Librarian, she is also a parent to two elementary-aged boys, a youth soccer and baseball coach and a local community volunteer.

Kelsey shares some helpful tips to get you and your family ready for school. Kelsey is also the founding member of the Star Backpack Brigade that provides free backpacks and school supplies to any student that signs up. Learn how this program came to be and how you can create something similar in your community.

You can find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/192xPMPhbB/

Sponsored by the Idaho Children's Trust Fund
https://idahochildrenstrustfund.org/

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In the wake of tragedy, we can find strength and healing in community-Beth Markley Executive Director of NAMI Idaho.

Join Ken and Michelle as they sit down with Beth Markley Nami Idaho's Executive Director to discuss the recent tragic event in Twin Falls. When violence strikes close to home, the impact extends far beyond those who were physically present.

So what can we do?

AND

How do we talk with our kids?

Check out the additional resources links below.

RESOURCES:

Nami Idaho: NAMI Idaho works to improve the quality of life for all those affected by mental illness through support, education, advocacy and research.

https://namiidaho.org/

Full Article:

https://namiidaho.org/in-the-wake-of-tragedy-find-strength-and-healing-in-community/

Helping Children Cope After A Traumatic Event:

https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-after-a-traumatic-event/

Resources for Twin Falls, Idaho Mass Violence Event:

https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026.8.4-Twin-Falls-Idaho-Mass-Violence-Resources.pdf

Online Trauma Awareness Training for Educators and Youth-Serving Professionals:

https://www.nami.org/kids-teens-and-young-adults/youth-and-young-adult-resources/nami-traumainsight/

Nami Helpline:

https://www.nami.org/nami-helpline/

Sponsored by the Idaho Children's Trust Fund
https://idahochildrenstrustfund.org/

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Content Warning

Join Ken and Michelle as they visit once again with Officer Gomez who is discussing online scams that are going after kids. Most kids today have access to a phone, tablet or laptop. And if you think your kid is too young...think again.

Officer David Gomez is one of America’s most trusted—and most relatable—voices on youth digital safety. With over 15 years as a School Resource Officer and nearly two decades in law enforcement, Gomez has seen firsthand what kids are facing online long before parents or schools ever hear about it. From hidden Snapchat vaults to AI boyfriends, Roblox grooming rings to the latest sextortion scams, he’s been in the trenches with students every single day.

Known nationwide for his high-impact, no-nonsense presentations, Officer Gomez has trained thousands of students, parents, and professionals across the United States. His educational videos and posts have built an online community of over 400,000 engaged followers, all drawn to his unique blend of honesty, humor, storytelling, and real-world experience.

RESOURCES:

Officer Gomez Website

https://officergomez.com/

Officer Gomez Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/deputygomez

Sponsored by the Idaho Children's Trust Fund
https://idahochildrenstrustfund.org/

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Join Ken and Michelle as they are joined by therapist, Jasmine Magana from the Resiliency Center of Idaho. Jasmine is a bilingual and bicultural therapist dedicated to holistic, community-centered care. Deeply rooted in the Latinx community, she connects clients with the right supports and uses narrative therapy to foster sustainable change.

RESOURCES:

The Resiliency Center of Idaho:

At the Resiliency Center of Idaho, we believe every individual deserves a safe space to process and grow. Our diverse clinicians bring specialized, trauma-informed training to every session — offering a unique approach rooted in healing the whole person.

https://www.resiliencyidaho.com/

Sponsored by the Idaho Children's Trust Fund
https://idahochildrenstrustfund.org/

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Join Ken and Michelle as they visit with Friends of the Children Executive Director Gina Judd. Gina Judd, LCPC, has been serving children personally and professionally all her adult life. Gina and her husband of 33 years have raised five children and served for nine years as therapeutic foster parents, eventually adopting one of their foster children.

Gina’s role as Executive Director of Friends of the Children Eastern Idaho Chapter allows her to put into practice her passion for improving the lives of children and their families and magnifies her belief that the best way to change the world is one person and one interaction at a time.

In 2024, Friends of the Children began serving youth and families in Eastern Idaho! Their vision is that one day, every child in Eastern Idaho who is at highest risk of the long-term effects of childhood adversity, like foster care, will have a Friend – a long term, salaried professional mentor who stays with them from ages 4 to 6 through high school graduation, 12+ years, no matter what.

Each child enrolled in the Friends – Eastern Idaho’s program is paired with a paid, professional mentor called a Friend. For 12+ years, from ages 4 to 6 to high school graduation, Friends work with their youth in schools, at home, and in the community for 3 to 4 hours each week to build skills like problem-solving, perseverance, and self-management. These skills empower youth to pursue and achieve their goals in school and in life. Simultaneously, leveraging our two-generation approach, Friends empower parents and caregivers to build their own skills as parents, advocate for themselves and their children, and increase connectedness to community resources that improve family stability.

RESOURCES:

Friends of the Children – Eastern Idaho
www.friendseasternidaho.org

Friends of the Children (National)
www.friendsofthechildren.org

Sponsored by the Idaho Children's Trust Fund
https://idahochildrenstrustfund.org/

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Join Ken and Michelle as they visit with Maureen Durning, Founder of Butterfly Trainings that Transform. Maureen gives a sneak peek at her new training "Practical Resilience". What is Resilience and where does i come from? Maureen answers these questions and shares a couple of thought provoking exercises with Ken and Michelle.

RESOURCES:

Website:

https://butterflyttt.com/

"We believe that great trainings are transformative — they have the power to change the way we think, the way we do our jobs, the way we relate to one another and the way we view the world."

Online Training:

https://butterflyttt.com/train-the-trainer-virtual

Sponsored by the Idaho Children's Trust Fund
https://idahochildrenstrustfund.org/

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/theresilientparentingpodcast