Raising Me

In the fast-paced lives of parents, play is often overlooked, but experts say it’s a crucial part of childhood development that goes beyond fun and games. Whether it’s building forts, pretending to be superheroes, or simply rolling on the floor with kids, play plays a significant role in helping children grow, both emotionally and cognitively. Certified parenting coach Ayanna Allen discusses the benefits of play for children and parents alike, emphasizing its value in strengthening family bonds. Allen shares how play impacts children's brains, emotions, and social skills, and offer practical advice on how parents can incorporate playtime into their busy schedules. She highlights the importance of engaging in activities like tea parties and Lego building sessions, which she says are more valuable than they might appear. For parents curious about whether they should be playing more with their children or questioning the significance of these seemingly simple activities, Allen offers her insights. About Ayanna: Ayanna Allen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development with a focus on Early Childhood Development, is a certified Parenting Coach, and began her journey as a mother 14 years ago. Ayanna equips parents with skills and tools that; activate intentional parenting, improves self-awareness, increases patience, and sets a foundation for long standing and impactful connections with their children. Her coaching business is titled ‘Go Hard Parenting’ because parenting is hard, and she believes parents must “go harder”! More information: The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds Importance of Play in Early Childhood Benefits of Play for Adults Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the election just weeks away, political division and rhetoric are ramping up—and kids may be feeling the impact. From differing opinions among family and friends to the heated conversations kids overhear and the surge of negative ads and social media posts, it’s nearly impossible for them to avoid the political noise. To help parents navigate these challenging times, Rebecca Hoffmann, a longtime family therapist and the Director of MaineHealth’s Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation, shares strategies for guiding children through emotional conversations while building essential life skills. Hoffmann shares why it is important to shift the conversations at home from a specific candidate to family values and how that leads to who you may be supporting in an election. She also talks about deciphering sources to navigate fact from fiction, plus the importance of setting boundaries when it comes to disagreements online or with family and friends. As election season intensifies, these strategies offer parents a guide to supporting their children through the political noise. About our guest: Rebecca Hoffmann is the Director of the MaineHealth Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. By training, Rebecca is a family therapist and has worked clinically for 25 years with children, families and communities. Rebecca’s primary work is in the fields of trauma, violence, resilience, and wellbeing. She has overseen large federally funded behavioral health research and service grants that focus on providing care and treatment for children and families that have been exposed to trauma. These programs focus on prevention of childhood exposure to violence, implementation of evidence-based trauma treatment, and fostering professional resiliency. In addition, Rebecca has overseen programs in disaster mental health, and in helping communities heal after trauma. Rebecca has extensive training and practice in the fields of childhood trauma, wellbeing and resilience, community coalition building, and collective healing. She has published numerous articles, book chapters, and other resources in this field. Additional Information: Helping Young Children Navigate Political Anxiety Seven Tips for Talking with Kids about Politics How Politics can Impact Your Kids and How to Help Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world where financial literacy is essential, many parents are left wondering how to teach their children what they need to succeed when it comes to money. This week’s Raising Me podcast episode dives into the topics of saving and investing. Jon Paradise from Town and Country Federal Credit Union is our episode expert and he'll help us to navigate these challenges. Whether parents are trying to teach their kids how to save for a new gadget or start planning for bigger, long-term goals, Paradise offers actionable steps for families at any stage of the financial journey. The episode emphasizes many of the best lessons can come from everyday moments. About the expert: Jon Paradise, who is the regular spokesperson for the Financial Matters segment on CBS13/FOX23, shares his passion for teaching people about money management. As a father of three, he also draws from personal experiences in guiding his kids, allowing them to make mistakes in a safe environment to help them grow. Additional resources: The Right Time to Teach Kids about Money 6 Ways to Get Kids Excited About Investing 7 Steps to Teach Kids How to Invest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding the right medical provider for your child can be confusing, especially with so many options — from pediatricians and specialists to therapists and more. Whether you're dealing with a health concern, developmental questions, or just figuring out where to start, in this episode of Raising Me, Dr. Allyson Coffin is here to guide you through the process. Dr. Coffin discussed how to choose the right provider for your child, when and how to seek their help, and her advice for making the best decisions. She emphasized the importance of understanding the different types of care available and knowing when to turn to a specialist. Dr. Coffin has previously joined us to discuss topics such as preventing "tech neck" and self-regulation strategies for both kids and parents. You can find these discussions in our episode list. About the Expert: Dr. Coffin, a chiropractor with more than a decade of experience practicing in both New York and Maine, now runs her practice, Align with Wellness. As a mother of two, she’s experienced the same challenges when it comes to navigating the healthcare system for her own children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s fast-paced world, many families struggle with overscheduling their children, juggling lessons, practices, games, and after-school clubs. The pressure to provide every opportunity can be exhausting, not only for kids but also for us as parents. The reality is we as parents often do it to ourselves as we try to create every opportunity for our kids in a more competitive world. Our guest in this week’s Raising Me podcast episode is Rebecca Hoffmann. She’s a longtime family therapist and director of MaineHealth’s Center for Trauma Resilience and Innovation. Listen as Hoffmann emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of overscheduling and its impact on family life. Finding balance is crucial to ensure children have time to rest and grow, both mentally and physically. Hoffmann, a mother herself, as well as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine, shares insights on how families can navigate these challenges and build a more balanced lifestyle. Overscheduled Child May Lead to a Bored Teen: https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/overscheduled-child-may-lead-to-bored-teen How Overscheduling Prevents Skill Development: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parent-tips-20/202301/how-overscheduling-prevents-skill-development This is Why Overscheduling Your Kids’ Activities may be Ruining Your Relationship: https://www.parents.com/is-overscheduling-ruining-your-relationship-8710271 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Raising Me, political reporter and podcast host Ben Margiott discusses how he became passionate about covering politics and offers guidance on simplifying complex political topics for kids. Parenting can be confusing and frustrating, especially when dealing with topics no one prepared us for - like explaining politics to children. Adrienne and Ben talk about how politics impacts our everyday lives, from roads to schools and even the food we eat. Plus, Ben emphasizes the importance of teaching kids to verify information online. About the guest: Ben Margiott became a reporter in Reno, NV in 2016, covering diverse stories from Nevada politics to extreme weather events. He has reported live on major events, including O.J. Simpson’s parole and interviews with prominent political figures like Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Margiott also tells impactful local stories and launched *Ballot Battleground: Nevada*, a podcast focusing on critical issues for Nevada voters. He’s passionate about journalism and enjoys spending weekends with his family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sigma, Skibidi, Rizz, Ohio, Aura. If you’ve heard those words around your house and thought, “Say what now?!”, you’re not alone. This week on Raising Me we’re diving into the ever-evolving slang of today with a special guest, Philip Lindsay. "Mr. Lindsay" as he’s known by his students and hundreds of thousands of social media followers, is a youth pastor turned middle school special education math teacher turned social media star who’s even appeared on the Today Show. On social media, Mr. Lindsay uses humor to help parents understand slang and what’s happening in schools, primarily middle schools, around the country. He also feels passionate about eliminating the stigma around special education. Find him on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_phlindsay_sped/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mr_lindsay_sped Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Season 2 of Raising Me! Sibling rivalry is a challenge nearly every parent faces. It’s the stuff that can turn a peaceful home into a battlefield, leaving parents feeling stressed and frustrated. Whether it's fighting over the last cookie, the TV remote, or just who gets the most attention, sibling rivalry can test even the most patient among us. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and sibling rivalry isn’t all bad. In fact, these conflicts can offer valuable opportunities for children to learn essential life skills. Together, we’ll explore what drives sibling rivalry, how to navigate those difficult moments, and how to turn conflicts into positive learning experiences. EPISODE EXPERT: Rebecca Hoffman joins us for this episode. She’s a seasoned family therapist and Director of the MaineHealth Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation. Hoffman is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain and introducing you to the people behind this podcast—parents just like you, navigating the ups and downs of raising a family while trying to figure it all out as they go. Our team consists of three people: Megan Littlefield, Nate Eldridge, and Adrienne Stein. Together, we represent diverse parenting experiences, with children ranging from little ones just starting kindergarten to young adults finding their way in the world. The heart of this podcast is about giving voice to the often-unspoken challenges of parenting—the uncertainties, the insecurities, the moments of confusion. We’re here to share these experiences openly, leaning on experts to help us unravel the stress, anxiety, and joy that comes with raising a family today. What resonates with us from the experts varies as much as our own parenting journeys. Yet, each piece of advice is insightful and applicable in its own unique way. We invite you to listen in and discover some of our top takeaways and join us for Season 2 of Raising Me starting Tuesday, September 3rd 2024. We’ll be navigating topics from sibling rivalry, to politics, mental health, co-parenting and blended families, even some financial investing 101. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're taking another look at an earlier episode - The Sandwich Generation. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein dives into the stresses, both financially and emotionally, as well as resources available to help with LCSW Becky Hadiaris. Becky is the Manager of the Family Caregiver Support Program at Southern Maine Agency on Aging. They discuss the challenges faced by those in the sandwich generation, the resources available to help and the proactive ways to potentially mitigate the effects of caregiving responsibilities for our own children. About the guest: Becky Hadiaris is an LCSW with 20 years of experience working in the aging and disability field. She is the Manager of the Family Caregiver Support Program at Southern Maine Agency on Aging. She has a passion for helping caregivers navigate the complex healthcare system, as well as provide emotional support, education and programming to caregivers in York & Cumberland counties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, as school approaches, we take a look back at an early episode about the complicated decision whether to allow your children to use social media. If so, how much should they use it and which apps are appropriate? If you’ve struggled with when, or if, you should allow your kids to get social media, you are in good company. Many, if not most, parents do. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein asks Dr. Jeffery Barkin about how to know when our kids are ready, how we should monitor it, along with both the positive and negative sides of social media. About the guest: Dr Jeffery Barkin is a psychiatrist in Maine. He is a Past President of the Maine Medical Association and the Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians. In addition to practicing adult and forensic psychiatry, Dr. Barkin co-hosts A Healthy Conversation, a weekly award-winning radio show, on WGAN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready or not, back-to-school season is upon us. To help navigate this transition, we turned to experts for advice: Dr. Kristy Perkowski, a pediatrician, and Holly Lallemand, a seasoned elementary school teacher. Dr. Perkowski and Lallemand offer a blend of medical and educational perspectives. Together, they provide valuable insights on preparing children for the new school year, focusing on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether your child has already started school or is gearing up to return, their tips can help set the stage for a successful year ahead. About the guests: Dr Kristy Perkowski, DO, is a pediatrician with the Dr. Harry E Davis Pediatric Center in Portland, Maine. It is her goal to be an approachable, empathetic pediatrician who uses current recommendations and science to care for the children in the community. She started at the pediatrics center in 2015 after receiving her American Board of Pediatrics certification in 2013. Holly Lallemand is a long- time educator who was born, raised and now raises her own family in Southern Maine. She has been teaching second grade for 24 years and has been part of many transitions to the beginning of the school year both as a mother and a teacher. Holly enjoys teaching all content areas, but specifically enjoys teaching mindfulness to young learners. To be witness to the honest conversations young students have with one another is what fuels her commitment and desire to classroom teaching. Holly graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, has a Masters in Special Education, a Graduate Certificate in Literacy instruction and a certificate in Social Emotional Learning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Adrienne talks about parental burnout, a phenomenon that can strike at any time of the year. Perhaps you’re feeling it creep in over the summer. Despite the season's promise of sunshine, roses, and pool days, many of us are still working daily, shuttling our kids from one camp to another, trying to keep their calendars full until school resumes. Before you know it, it’s back to school and the rush to get ready. All you want is to relax on a beach or in a boat, or maybe simply time to yourself at home. The burnout is real, regardless of why or when it happens. It can show up as fatigue, a short temper, or emotional shutdown, to name a few signs. Instead of simply trying to power through, in this week’s podcast episode Parenting Coach Ayanna Allen guides us through healthier, more productive ways to cope. She also explains healthy emotional regulation in the context of burnout. About Ayanna: Ayanna Allen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development with a focus on Early Childhood Development, is a certified Parenting Coach, and began her journey as a mother 14 years ago. Ayanna equips parents with skills and tools that; activate intentional parenting, improves self-awareness, increases patience, and sets a foundation for long standing and impactful connections with their children. Her coaching business is titled ‘Go Hard Parenting’ because parenting is hard, and she believes parents must “go harder”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're taking a second listen to one of our most downloaded episodes "A Rise of Meanness." Raising Me host Adrienne Stein has an engaging conversation about the effects of bullying behavior with Tänne Gabler, Child Therapist, LCSW, RPT. Find out how to talk to your kids about bullying - if they've been bullied or even if they've been accused of bullying behavior. Discover how to approach difficult conversations about bullying with your kids. Figure out when is the right time to step in and how to appropriately step in when there is a situation. And stay until the end to hear the research-backed strategy that can help to raise the most successful adults. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Tis the season for summer jobs and many first-time jobs for kids. In this episode of Raising Me, we reflect on some of the key takeaways from our Money Mindset series – from teaching our kids about money to what allowance should look like and even understanding that we don’t have to be a financial expert to have a lot to offer our children when it comes to money lessons. About the guest: Mary is the Financial Education Program Manager at the Finance Authority of Maine, also known as FAME. Mary has served as President of the Maine Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. She’s also navigated these same challenges with her two boys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Tech neck" is a potentially serious and peculiar topic that many of us might not be fully aware of yet: the physical issues caused by screen use. Imagine bodies growing tails due to prolonged screen time – weird, right? But it's a reality. This phenomenon is known as "tech neck" or "text neck" and it’s leading to pain and other ailments. In some cases, even tail-like physical changes in people. The long term consequences are unknown. Dr. Allyson Coffin sheds light on this issue. Dr. Coffin has more than a decade of experience as a chiropractor, working in both New York and Maine. Her practice, Align with Allyson, is based in Maine. As a mom of two, she shares her insights into this new phenomenon, discussing why it's happening, what we know and don’t know about it, and offering advice on protecting our kids from these physical changes. About the Guest: Dr. Allyson Coffin graduated Cum Laude from New York Chiropractic College obtaining her doctorate in chiropractic through the study of anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience. She worked in a multidisciplinary practice in New York with internists, orthopedists, physical therapists, and chiropractors, then moved to Maine—and opened Align with Wellness thirteen years ago. Dr. Coffin lives in Cumberland with her husband, two children and dog. She is a competitive swimmer and her whole family loves all of the outdoor activities Maine has to offer. Dr. Coffin is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (I.C.P.A) and Maine Chiropractic Association (M.C.A). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the summer months, we'll be taking a look back at previous episodes, while sprinkling in new episodes every so often. We'll be back to a new episode every week in September. This week we take a look back at one of our most downloaded episodes - Anxiety Epidemic. Anxiety among kids is on the rise since the pandemic, which can heartbreaking - especially when parents don’t know how to best help their children. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein has an impactful conversation with Rebecca Hoffman, Director of MaineHealth’s Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation. Rebecca shares early signs to watch out for, sheds light on why anxiety rates are skyrocketing, and explains why this topic matters for all of us, even those who don’t have kids dealing with anxiety. Plus, a look back at how we were raised when anxiety may not have been talked about as a disorder. About the guest: Rebecca Hoffmann is the Director of the MaineHealth Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. By training, Rebecca is a family therapist and has worked clinically for 25 years with children, families and communities. Rebecca’s primary work is in the fields of trauma, violence, resilience, and wellbeing. She has overseen large federally-funded behavioral health research and service grants that focus on providing care and treatment for children and families that have been exposed to trauma. These programs focus on prevention of childhood exposure to violence, implementation of evidence-based trauma treatment, and fostering professional resiliency. In addition, Rebecca has overseen programs in disaster mental health, and in helping communities heal after trauma. Rebecca has extensive training and practice in the fields of childhood trauma, wellbeing and resilience, community coalition building, and collective healing. She has published numerous articles, book chapters, and other resources in this field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parenting in the digital age is a struggle for many parents, from navigating screen time to social media and figuring out healthy boundaries on all the devices and platforms. In this episode, we highlight a few of our best guests on the topic, from a long-time child therapist who recently went viral for her video called “Modern Children are Not Okay,” to the Chief Parenting Officer of Bark Technologies, to Dr. Michael Rich who is a world-renowned expert on the topic and the creator and director of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. They share their insight and expertise on navigating it all because, as one of our guests puts it, “We are the first generation of parents parenting like this, and we’ve got to figure it out together." About the guests: Catherine Knibbs is a clinician, author, researcher, and writer around the digital world and the impact they all have on young people. Titania Jordan is a leading authority on digital parenting and has contributed to publications like the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Huffington Post and more. She also wrote "Parenting in a Tech World" (2020) and was featured in the documentary "Childhood 2.0." She’s also a frequent guest on national programs such as TODAY Show and Good Morning America. Michael Rich, MD, MPH practices adolescent medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and is an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Rich is the founder and director of the Digital Wellness Lab and the Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID), the first evidence-based medical program addressing physical, mental, and social health issues associated with digital technology use. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pediatrician Dr. Kristy Perkowski helps navigate the summer with ways to keep our kids physically and mentally engaged, without feeling like we need to become a cruise ship director with big ideas and plans to fill every day. Plus, we’ll learn why downtime is just as important. As wonderful as summer can be, it can also be stressful finding ways to fill the days, keep the kids active, all while many of us figure out childcare. Dr. Perkowski shares her pro advice on balancing play, learning, and resting this summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating the tween and teen years can be difficult for several reasons, from the attitude to pressures from friends and then all the hormones. On top of that, parents may also feel a sense of sadness, mourning the quickly changing relationship. They’re quickly becoming more independent, and perhaps more embarrassed by you every day. While we may on the surface brush it off or play it cool, being sad about this change in relationship is important to acknowledge. Adrienne talks with Certified Parenting Coach Ayanna Allen about the trials of parenting a tween and/or teen. Allen explains this sense of loss, helps us look within for some hard truths, and will identify ways to improve your relationship with your teen and tween. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Raising Me podcast, host Adrienne Stein speaks with longtime Speech Language Pathologist, Margie Childs. Speech delays and speech disorders among children are on the rise, while at the same time the number of those trained to help is declining, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They discuss why more children are diagnosed with speech disorders and delays, how to identify them, and what you can do as a parent to help your child. About The Guest: Margie Childs has worked as an SLP in Maine schools for 34 years. She has served for 15 years as the secretary of the Maine Speech Language Hearing Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Adrienne interviews Anne Adams about the importance of play in children - especially unstructured play outdoors. Learn about why fresh air and play is so important to developing minds, and how to encourage more outdoor adventures for your family! About the guest: Anne Adams is an early childhood professional specializing in play and nature based pedagogy. Her work is with children, birth to eight, and those who care for them. Anne has dedicated her adult life towards improving the care and education that young children receive. Her experience has been spread far and wide from Childcare Administrator to Policy Advocate to Teacher to Volunteer to Consultant and Coach. She has also found herself working across ages and stages in a variety of care and education settings. She has weaved together these diverse experiences and uses them as inspiration for her continued work in the field. Currently, she leads the Maine Early Childhood Outdoors (MaineECO) Network by uniting the many people and organizations already supporting and practicing outdoor nature-based learning. She continues to work as an outdoor learning coach and consultant as well. Anne lives in Rockport Maine with her husband and two young boys, she is an avid long distant runner and enjoys being out on the ocean with her family. Maine Early Childhood Outdoors www.maineeco.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescent mental health continues to worsen, with more than 40% of students regularly feeling sad or hopeless and around 30% experiencing poor mental health. In this week’s episode of Raising Me, Adrienne gets an insider perspective on what’s really happening in high schools, from constantly being plugged in to the pressure of social media. You’ll hear from a guidance counselor with more than 20 years of experience and two high school students who candidly discuss what high schoolers are actually experiencing. They're working with an organization, KyleCares, that helps students connect other students with mental health resources and intervention. They’ll share the remarkable mission they are on to try to make sure no one at their school suffers in silence. For more information on the Kyle Cares Foundation: https://kylecaresinc.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s podcast episode of Raising Me, Adrienne speaks with Sara Porter, LCSW, a clinical supervisor at Northern Light Acadia Hospital. They discuss eating disorders and disordered eating - how they differ, what to look out for when it comes to your children and the things that you can do to help prevent it at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Raising Me we’re discussing navigating video games in a healthy way at home. Our expert – Catherine Knibb, a longtime child therapist - has a unique take on how parents should think about games that can create a much more balanced experience at home... Without a battle. What about violence in video games and whether they encourage more aggressive behavior? She’ll dive into that, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel anxiety and stress creep up and not know what to do for relief, or how to help your children who are struggling with it? You’re not alone. Have you tried meditation? Today we’re talking about beginner strategies to get us and keep us all in a better place mentally and emotionally. Dr. Allyson Coffin shares the benefits like stress and anxiety reduction, enhanced creativity, emotional regulation, and clarity. She also talks about the simple things you can do, that you may never have thought of as meditation before. The best part, it can be done in as little as 2-3 minutes a day. About Dr. Allyson Coffin Dr. Coffin graduated Cum Laude from New York Chiropractic College obtaining her doctorate in chiropractic through the study of anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience. She worked in a multidisciplinary practice in New York with internists, orthopedists, physical therapists, and chiropractors, then moved to Maine—and opened Align with Wellness thirteen years ago. Dr. Coffin lives in Cumberland with her husband, two children and dog. She is a competitive swimmer and her whole family loves all of the outdoor activities Maine has to offer—season after season. Dr. Coffin is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (I.C.P.A) and Maine Chiropractic Association (M.C.A). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.A.C.E. stands for playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy. It was developed by Dan Hughes, PhD and we are lucky enough to have him join us for this conversation. Dr. Hughes developed P.A.C.E. specifically for children who’ve experienced trauma, however as you’ll see, the key pieces can help us with nearly any important relationship in our lives. In this episode, Adrienne speaks with Dr. Hughes about P.A.C.E., a strategy that can not only dramatically improve your relationship with your child, but also the one you have with yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the idea of teaching your kids about money stresses you out, you’re not alone. To help take the anxiety out of how to set your children up for financial success, even when you’re still trying to figure it out yourself, Adrienne has another chat with Mary Dyer, the Financial Education Program Manager at the Finance Authority of Maine. As part of our ongoing Money Mindset series and Financial Literacy Month, Mary Dyer gives parents simple strategies and conversation starters, whether you’re just beginning or feel like you should have started these lessons years ago. About the guest: Mary is the Financial Education Program Manager at the Finance Authority of Maine, also known as FAME. Mary has served as President of the Maine Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. She’s also navigated these same challenges with her two boys. Additional Resources: Resources to Grow Your Student’s or Child’s Financial Wellness: https://www.famemaine.com/financial-wellness/grow-your-students-or-childs-financial-wellness/ Claim Your Future®: https://www.claimyourfuture.org/ Invest in ME Reads: https://www.famemaine.com/financial-wellness/grow-your-students-or-childs-financial-wellness/elementary/ Online Financial Wellness from FAME: https://fame.igrad.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Raising Me podcast, Adrienne speaks with financial expert Mary Dyer about figuring out allowance for your kids. From how much should it be to what chores they should earn allowance for, plus, what our guest says is the *most important thing* when it comes to allowance. They discuss how much should kids earn, what should they earn money for and what should just be considered household chores, and what about those little purchases that seem like no big deal at the store, when should you float them some cash. These are all questions we can face every day as parents as we try to set our kids up for financial success. You may remember Mary Dyer from our previous "Money Mindset" episode. Mary is the Financial Education Program Manager at the Finance Authority of Maine, also known as FAME. She’s also navigated these same challenges with her own kids, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you seen the viral video with Catherine Knibbs talking about how we need to work harder to help kids navigate their online experiences? Her passionate rant shared on social media called “Modern Children Are Not Okay” struck a chord with parents and educators alike, and now has more than 5 million views. She’s on Raising Me to share the reason behind her plea for help and ways for parents to help create healthier, more supportive online experiences for children. Check out this week's episode dissecting her rant, how we can better help our kids online, and the five strengths everyone needs (research based!) to be better humans overall. About the guest: Catherine Knibbs is a clinician, author, researcher, and writer around the digital world and the impact they all have on young people. More about our guest: https://www.childrenandtech.co.uk/about Cath Knibbs TedX Talk: The Real Social Dilemma Books available from Amazon Website: www.childrenandtech.co.uk Instagram Tiktok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Raising Me, we delve deeper into a topic of one of our most downloaded episodes - kids and anxiety. Adrienne and guest Rebecca Hoffman talk about that beast of branch of anxiety known as Social Anxiety. They discuss the pandemics influence on our children's developing social experience, the importance of stress tolerance, and how we can help. About the guest: Rebecca Hoffmann is the Director of the MaineHealth Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. By training, Rebecca is a family therapist and has worked clinically for 25 years with children, families and communities. Rebecca’s primary work is in the fields of trauma, violence, resilience, and wellbeing. She has overseen large federally-funded behavioral health research and service grants that focus on providing care and treatment for children and families that have been exposed to trauma. These programs focus on prevention of childhood exposure to violence, implementation of evidence-based trauma treatment, and fostering professional resiliency. In addition, Rebecca has overseen programs in disaster mental health, and in helping communities heal after trauma. Rebecca has extensive training and practice in the fields of childhood trauma, wellbeing and resilience, community coalition building, and collective healing. She has published numerous articles, book chapters, and other resources in this field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sleep. It can feel so elusive at nearly all stages of parenting. In this episode of Raising Me, Adrienne explores the importance of sleep and how to get better quality of sleep for your whole family with guest Dr. Kristy Perkowski, DO. From the middle of the night little visitor who wants to cuddle into your bed, to teens who have trouble putting away their phones to catch enough z’s, pediatrician Dr. Perkowski provides practical and simple solutions for your family. Additional links: Introduction to importance of sleep in children and how to help them sleep better: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep Kids and Sleep: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleep.html Do your children get enough sleep: https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/children-sleep.htm Raising Me listed in 100 Best Parenting Podcasts of 2024: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/parenting_podcasts/ About the guest: Dr Kristy Perkowski, DO, is a pediatrician with the Dr. Harry E Davis Pediatric Center in Portland, Maine. It is her goal to be an approachable, empathetic pediatrician who uses current recommendations and science to care for the children in the community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Increased academic pressure, mental health issues, and societal expectations are three challenges facing students today and the fallout is showing up in many ways. Adrienne has an insightful conversation with the author of the book “The Disintegrating Student: Super Smart & Falling Apart”, Jeannine Jannot, Ph.D, whose decades of experience working with children and families led her to a concerning discovery in today’s achievement culture. The usually “bright” children, who until recently school was fine, if not easy for them, suddenly begin struggling academically and emotionally. This is a conversation not only about what’s happening with our children, but it is also full of self-reflection about the things we do as parents that have unintentional consequences. Whether you have a so-called ‘Disintegrating Student’ or not, this is an eye-opening conversation about parenting today and how we can support our children. About Jeannine Jannot: Dr. Jeannine Jannot has over 25 years of experience working with children, teenagers, and young adults in both public and private school settings spanning preschool through college. Dr. Jannot has a master's degree in school psychology from The Ohio State University and a doctorate in child and developmental psychology from the University of Connecticut. Since 2010, Dr. Jannot has been a college instructor teaching psychology courses and freshman seminars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a “caring but confused” parent when it comes to screen time? That’s the phrase our expert today uses to describe most parents trying to figure out what screen time for their children, whether it’s on video games, phones, or social media - and you're not alone. This week on Raising Me, Adrienne speaks with Dr. Michael Rich. He is the creator and director of the Digital Wellness Lab at Harvard Medical School and is going to help us answer some tough questions about kids and their use of screens - social media, video games, TV - all of it. In this discussion Dr. Rich gives us examples of how we can better help navigate our screen-saturated world alongside our children and why he says it’s time to ditch parental controls. About Dr. Rich: Michael Rich, MD, MPH practices adolescent medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and is an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Rich is the founder and director of the Digital Wellness Lab and the Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID), the first evidence-based medical program addressing physical, mental, and social health issues associated with digital technology use. Dr. Rich is also the author of the book called The Mediatrician’s Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Depression in children is a topic that requires careful attention and understanding. While it can sometimes be challenging to differentiate between situational sadness and clinical depression, being able to recognize the signs is crucial for providing support and intervention. In this episode of Raising Me, Adrienne speaks with Rebecca Hoffmann, the Director of the Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation at MaineHealth (you may remember the name from the episode "Anxiety Epidemic.") They'll explore how to identify signs of depression in children, distinguish between situational depression and more serious cases, and get expert guidance on what to do if you suspect your child may be struggling with depression. About the guest: Rebecca Hoffmann is the Director of the MaineHealth Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. By training, Rebecca is a family therapist and has worked clinically for 25 years with children, families and communities. Rebecca’s primary work is in the fields of trauma, violence, resilience, and wellbeing. She has overseen large federally-funded behavioral health research and service grants that focus on providing care and treatment for children and families that have been exposed to trauma. These programs focus on prevention of childhood exposure to violence, implementation of evidence-based trauma treatment, and fostering professional resiliency. In addition, Rebecca has overseen programs in disaster mental health, and in helping communities heal after trauma. Rebecca has extensive training and practice in the fields of childhood trauma, wellbeing and resilience, community coalition building, and collective healing. She has published numerous articles, book chapters, and other resources in this field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Valentine's Day this week, Raising Me is exploring the relationships we have with our children. Adrienne interviews psychologist Dr. John Stewart, who shares five strategies we can use to improve relationships. Any kind of relationship! It doesn't matter how old your children are or how strong your relationships may be. Plus, Dr. Stewart helps us to self-reflect and shares how worrying can affect our kids. About the guest: Dr. John Stewart has thirty-five years of clinical practice centered around issues related to child, adolescence, school and family psychology. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at Tufts School of Medicine in Boston. Dr. Stewart also focuses in the areas of family and couples therapy working from a neurobiological informed attachment model. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you struggle to get your kids moving – especially in the winter – you’re not alone. In this week’s episode of Raising Me, Adrienne speaks with pediatrician Dr. Kristy Perkowski, DO about the importance of encouraging regular activity in your children. It can be difficult to motivate your kids to exercise. Dr. Perkowski has tips on how to get kids moving, the recommended amount of time for different age groups, and how to handle any resistance your kids might have. About the guest - Dr. Kristy Perkowski, DO Dr Kristy Perkowski, DO, is a pediatrician with the Dr. Harry E Davis Pediatric Center in Portland, Maine. It is her goal to be an approachable, empathetic pediatrician who uses current recommendations and science to care for the children in the community. She started at the pediatrics center in 2015 after receiving her American Board of Pediatrics certification in 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Adrienne speaks with Dr. Allyson Coffin, a Chiropractor and Owner of Align with Wellness in Yarmouth. Dr. Coffin and Adrienne discuss self-regulation; how to help our children when their big emotions get TOO big and how we can keep ourselves calm in those difficult situations. Hear about how cross-pattern brain exercises help kids stay regulated while watching TV - because sometimes screen time for the kids can help caregivers take some time for their own self-care. Dr. Coffin also offers strategies for all ages when feelings and/or pressures start to become overwhelming. About Dr. Allyson Coffin Dr. Coffin graduated Cum Laude from New York Chiropractic College obtaining her doctorate in chiropractic through the study of anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience. She worked in a multidisciplinary practice in New York with internists, orthopedists, physical therapists, and chiropractors, then moved to Maine—and opened Align with Wellness thirteen years ago. Dr. Coffin lives in Cumberland with her husband, two children and dog. Dr. Coffin is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (I.C.P.A) and Maine Chiropractic Association (M.C.A). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Adrienne interviews Titania Jordan, the CMO and Chief Parenting Officer at Bark Technologies, a content monitoring/parental control app and device aimed at keeping our kids safe online. They start off talking about some of the results from Bark's 2023 Annual Report, and then continue the conversation about online safety and the surprising things our kids are experiencing on social media. There's some good news too! Not everything online is dangerous - but Titania has some ways to make sure your child's experience stays on the good side of the internet. About the expert: Titania Jordan is the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Parent Officer of Bark Technologies, an online safety company that helps keep kids safe online and in real life. Titania has contributed to pieces in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Huffington Post, Fox Business, Daily Mail, USA Today, Vogue, and more. Her first book, Parenting in a Tech World, was published in 2020 and quickly became a bestseller on Amazon. In 2017, Titania founded a Facebook group where parents could come together and get advice on raising kids in the digital age, share stories, and learn the latest news about social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raising Me takes on the delicate, yet crucial topic of navigating conversations about divorce with your children and how to build healthy co-parenting relationships. Host Adrienne Stein speaks with Kids First Board of Directors member and recently retired child and family therapist Steve Young. Steve has worked with families for more than three decades, helping them through this challenging time in a healthy and productive way with the kids’ best interest at heart. They talk about how to tell your kids about a separation, how to communicate effectively with your co-parent, and resources you can reach out for if you need help in this difficult stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anxiety among kids is on the rise since the pandemic, which can heartbreaking - especially when parents don’t know how to best help their children. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein has an impactful conversation with Rebecca Hoffman, Director of MaineHealth’s Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation. Rebecca shares early signs to watch out for, sheds light on why anxiety rates are skyrocketing, and explains why this topic matters for all of us, even those who don’t have kids dealing with anxiety. Plus, a look back at how we were raised when anxiety may not have been talked about as a disorder. About the guest: Rebecca Hoffmann is the Director of the MaineHealth Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. By training, Rebecca is a family therapist and has worked clinically for 25 years with children, families and communities. Rebecca’s primary work is in the fields of trauma, violence, resilience, and wellbeing. She has overseen large federally-funded behavioral health research and service grants that focus on providing care and treatment for children and families that have been exposed to trauma. These programs focus on prevention of childhood exposure to violence, implementation of evidence-based trauma treatment, and fostering professional resiliency. In addition, Rebecca has overseen programs in disaster mental health, and in helping communities heal after trauma. Rebecca has extensive training and practice in the fields of childhood trauma, wellbeing and resilience, community coalition building, and collective healing. She has published numerous articles, book chapters, and other resources in this field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is a little different... As we move into a New Year, we're going to go over some of the lessons we learned in 2023. From helping our kids deal with bullying in 'Rise in Meanness' to navigating the stress and pressure of caring for multiple generations in 'Sandwiched Generation.' Of course, we always have questions around disciplining our children - are we doing it right, are we traumatizing our kids - get some reassurance with our clip from "Discipline Dynamics." Plus we've learned how to translate slang in 'Vibes to Cap' and how to give ourselves grace during the most overwhelming times in “Seasonal Stress." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you checked the price of college lately? It can be serious sticker shock. According to educationdata.org, it costs more than $100,000 for an in-state school, and more than $220,000 for a private university. Whether you have a toddler or a teenager, it’s never too late to start planning. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein and the Manager of College Access and Outreach at FAME talk about where to start, even if you already have a high schooler, and why even small amounts can make a big difference. About the guest: Mila Tappan is the Manager of College Access and Outreach at the Finance Authority of Maine. Our team at FAME helps people figure out how to plan and pay for higher education. Prior to coming to FAME in 2008, Mila worked as an Associate Director of Financial Aid at the University of Maine for 16 years. Mila is also the mother of two young men, Alex and Noah, who are 28 and 23. They navigated this college-saving journey firsthand, which she said was very different than doing it for work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re the parent or caregiver of a "picky eater" you know the stress it can cause at mealtimes; along with the worry about nutrition. It’s not something all kids just grow out of either. In this episode, Raising Me host Adrienne Stein talks with Registered Dietitian Kate Gosselin about some of the reasons behind picky eating, what we can do to stop the cycle of making multiple meals, and when professional help might be needed. About the guest: With more than 10 years of experience as a diabetes educator and more than 15 years of experience as a registered dietitian, Kathryn Gosselin is passionate about helping people understand and overcome nutritional challenges. Kathryn works as a Diabetes Educator at Northern Light Mercy Endocrinology and Diabetes Center and recently taught cooking classes for children at risk for obesity through a grant. She also teaches cooking and nutrition classes for people with Multiple Sclerosis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The unpaid work by family caregivers across the country amounts to $600 billion, according to the AARP. The same survey found 52% of caregivers experienced income loss due to missed work. Those numbers paint an eye-opening reality for adults in the so-called "sandwich generation." That’s the term for those caught between caring for aging parents while raising their own children. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein dives into the stresses, both financially and emotionally, as well as resources available to help with LCSW Becky Hadiaris. Becky is the Manager of the Family Caregiver Support Program at Southern Maine Agency on Aging. They discuss the challenges faced by those in the sandwich generation, the resources available to help and the proactive ways to potentially mitigate the effects of caregiving responsibilities for our own children. About the guest: Becky Hadiaris is an LCSW with 20 years of experience working in the aging and disability field. She is the Manager of the Family Caregiver Support Program at Southern Maine Agency on Aging. She has a passion for helping caregivers navigate the complex healthcare system, as well as provide emotional support, education and programming to caregivers in York & Cumberland counties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve struggled with when, or if, you should allow your kids to get social media, you are in good company. Many, if not most, parents do. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein asks Dr. Jeffery Barkin about how to know when our kids are ready, how we should monitor it, along with both the positive and negative sides of social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no shortage of opinions when it comes to how, when, and why to discipline children, and many parents struggle with self-doubt through it all. When should we set boundaries? When should they be lifted? What if our methods aren't effective? And let's be real – what about those moments when we overreact? The guilt can be overwhelming. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein has an insightful conversation with therapist Monika Eichler about these parenting challenges. Monika shares strategies for handling discipline, understanding when to adjust your approach, and how to cope with those inevitable "terrible mom" or "terrible dad" moments that we've all experienced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ah, the holiday season, touted as "the most wonderful time of the year" by the classic song. However, the idea is often different than the reality for many of us. The pressure during the holidays can feel overwhelming—juggling family dynamics and expectations, financial strains, travel logistics, children's needs, work deadlines, and the weight of grief for some. Raising Me host Adrienne Stein sits down with Theresa Petrosky, LCPC with Maine Behavioral Healthcare to talk about holiday stressors and ways to cope, while managing the expectations of the holidays in healthy ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Raising Me, financial education expert Mary Dyer gets candid about teaching kids about money and why we should start by looking inward at our insecurities and emotions around money. If you’re worried that you don’t have a lot of insight to offer because you’re not an expert, Mary says don’t worry about that. You have a lot more to offer than you think. She takes some anxiety out of talking about money and gives parents and caregivers three simple places to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever had a conversation with a teen or preteen and left scratching your head wondering, ‘what the heck did they just say?’ Raising Me host Adrienne Stein checks in with Shannan King, who is part of the GEAR Parent Network. Shannan helps translate some of the words you may be hearing around your house, particularly if your kids are just starting to test vernacular boundaries. She’ll also go through the texting terms you should know to make sure your teens are communicating safely online. If something is "fire" you don't need to get the hose, "stan" isn't a new friend, and just what is cap/no cap?? It's important to know the slang not to talk like your kid - but to understand them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices