Separation and divorce can be a highly emotional time and stressful experience for children and youth, and tough to process at any age.  In this minisode, we bring questions from BC families on separation and divorce to Dr. Ashley Miller, child psychiatrist and family therapist. Together we discuss tips for supporting both you and your child’s well-being and mental health and explore questions including: What strategies can I share to help my child cope during the hard times? How can I ensure my divorce doesn’t impact my child’s future relationships? And much more. - Listeners, help us im ..read more

In the last few years, we have had no shortage of disturbing news and big, scary world events, be it pandemics, social injustices, wars, climate change issues like wildfires, floods, and more.   In this minisode, Bryn and Char bring questions from BC parents and caregivers to Dr. Ashley Miller, child psychiatrist and family therapist. They dig into questions including: How can I talk to my child about disturbing news and scary events without inciting worry or fear? How much information should I share when I talk with my kids about scary news, how honest should I be? Are there skills ..read more

Children can behave in challenging ways at many different stages of life. From tantrums and angry outbursts, to disruptive behaviour and constant negotiations, managing difficult behaviour is often a part of parenting and caregiving. Where You Are hosts Bryn and Char speak with Jeremy, dad of 2, and Dr. Janet Mah about why challenging behaviors can occur in children, strategies and tools parents can use before big behaviours show up and to support your kids in moments when things are escalated and how these approaches can help you to continue building a positive relationship with your child. S ..read more

When it comes to substance use education, school professionals are an important resource. Schools can provide supportive environments that promote overall well-being and equip students with the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to make decisions about the substances they'll encounter as they grow. Bryn and guest co-host Cindy Andrew come together with Dave Mackenzie, a school counsellor, and Art Steinmann, a Youth Substance Use Health Promotion Specialist, to talk about the ABC’s of substance use education and schools. They share evidence-based approaches that help students build prot ..read more

We are sharing this great episode from Parenting in the Trenches, a podcast by Karen Peters. With the holiday season approaching, we recognize that every family is unique and that the season will be different for all. This episode tackles the complexities of the holidays and offers 12 considerations that can help parents and caregivers increase the joy and peace of the season, particularly when you have neurodiverse kids. Tips for addressing social dynamics and expectations, sensory overload, varying thresholds for tolerating change, and adapting to promote your family’s mental wellness a ..read more

School is a big part of kids’ lives. When anxiety gets in the way of a child going to or staying at school, this can be really hard on the whole family. In this episode we look at what’s behind school anxiety, when parents should reach out for help, tips for parents and caregivers to promote their own coping, and strategies to help get your child back in their regular school routine. Listeners, help us improve our podcast. Take this short feedback survey: https://bit.ly/WYAfeedback  Completed surveys will be entered in a draw for a $100 Chapter's/Indigo gift card. See omnystudio.com ..read more

Parenting a kid with OCD can be difficult because you often have to go against your natural instincts. In this episode Michelle and Bryn are joined by Jen, a parent of a youth struggling with OCD, and Dr. Evelyn Stewart, Psychiatrist at BC Children’s Hospital and the founding Director of the Provincial Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Clinic. They discuss what OCD is and isn’t, how to know when to reach out for help, approaches parents can use to not ‘feed the OCD’ and practical strategies to help you best support your child with OCD at home.   Listeners, help us improve our podcas ..read more

For our final episode of Season 3, Bryn & Michelle bring questions from BC parents and caregivers to two leading child and youth mental health experts at BC Children’s Hospital, Dr. Ashley Miller and Dr. Amrit Dhariwal. Together they dig into questions including: How can I connect my teen when they won’t even talk to me? How can I best support my child through tough situations like the loss of a loved one? How do I set limits when my child really pushes my buttons? And much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

We are sharing this great episode from Anxiety Canada’s Podcast, #OurAnxietyStories. As hosts of Where You Are, we know how powerful hearing mental health stories can be. This episode, released in October 2021, follows Botswana born and Canadian raised, 14-year-old Malia Baker. Her journey with anxiety peaked in Grade 4. Malia offers great strategies that she has learned to manage her symptoms, with the support of her mother, little sister and friends. A ‘must listen’ for parents and caregivers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

It’s important to talk openly with your child about substance use from an early age, but as parents and caregivers we don’t always know where to start. Michelle and Bryn sit down with Cindy Andrew and Art Steinmann, both parents and professionals with 30+ years of experience working in the field of youth substance use within BC schools and communities, to discuss how to talk about substance use with your child, how to prevent problematic substance use, and how you can help your child develop the knowledge and skills they will need to make decisions about vaping, alcohol and other drugs as they ..read more