In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Mel Taveras, a seasoned expert in youth culture, mental health coaching, and parenting. Dr. Taveras shared valuable insights on how parents can guide their children through the complexities of today's youth culture, incorporating age-appropriate discussions and grounding them in God's truths. Here are some key takeaways from the episode: 1. Communicating Age-Appropriate Information: Dr. Taveras emphasized the importance of tailoring conversations to match the developmental stage of the child. She shared a personal experience of discussi ..read more

In our recent episode of the 5-Minute Parenting podcast, we delved into the crucial topic of ADHD accommodations for students at different age levels. As a former teacher and parent of a child with ADHD, I know firsthand the importance of providing the right support for these students. ? Key takeaways from the episode: - Accommodations for elementary school students include flexible seating, reward programs, academic planners, and fidget tools to help them thrive in the classroom environment. - Middle school accommodations involve quieter test settings, daily schedules, and increased time for ..read more

Today, I again put on my teacher hat as we discuss ADHD accommodations in public schools for children. It's important for parents to understand how public schools typically make accommodations for ADHD students. In public schools, these accommodations are known as 504 plans, which are designed to offer support for ADHD students. Some typical accommodations include: 1. Presentation & Organizational accommodations may involve highlighted text, audiobooks, pre-made outlines, and visual schedules.  2. Response accommodations can change how students complete classroom work - such as ver ..read more

In the latest episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we dove into the characteristics of kids with ADHD from a teacher and parental perspective. As someone with a master's in education specializing in learning disabilities and a parent of a child with ADHD, I shared insights that can help you identify if your child is displaying ADHD characteristics. Key Takeaways: - Understanding ADHD: Kids with ADHD often experience challenges with time management, attention and focus, organization, memory, social skills, task initiation, flexibility, listening skills, impulse control, and motor skills. - Identifyi ..read more

So, how can you utilize active listening to encourage your child? Here are some key takeaways from the episode: 1. Give your child your full attention and make eye contact when they speak to you. 2. Listen to them without interrupting and allow them to express themselves fully. 3. Show empathy and validate their feelings by reflecting back what they are saying. 4. Ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper conversations. 5. Avoid passing judgment or criticizing their thoughts and feelings. 6. Paraphrase or summarize what they have said to ensure understanding. 7. Utilize nonverbal cues such ..read more

 Encouraging Your Children: Tips from the 5-Minute Parenting Podcast In this week's episode of the 5-Minute Parenting podcast, we delved into the important topic of encouraging our children. We explored the powerful impact of creating a positive environment at home through words of affirmation and genuine praise. It's crucial for our children to feel valued and appreciated for who they are as individuals to foster a healthy self-esteem and positive outlook on life. We discussed the significance of focusing on our children's strengths and efforts, rather than solely on their achievements ..read more

In a recent episode of 5-Minute Parenting, we had the pleasure of hosting a special guest, Jennifer Bosma, who shared an insightful discussion about "The Best Gift Every Parent Should Give." We were touched by her heartfelt story and valuable parenting advice. Jennifer shared a unique and meaningful gift idea for parents - a journal for their children. This journal serves as a treasure trove of memories, capturing precious moments and milestones in a child's life. It's a place to jot down thoughts, prayers, and reflections, creating a beautiful chronicle of a child's journey. Jennifer's perso ..read more

Time management is an important skill for our children to learn beginning early in life, but today I’m going to give 15 Tips for Time Management for High Schoolers. These will be listed in the Notes. They are a free downloadable from Your Therapy Source,  which has all kinds of resources—some free, some that have a cost . I’ll put their contact info in the Notes. 1. Prioritize Tasks: Identify and focus on completing the most important tasks first, such as schoolwork and essential projects, to ensure academic success. 2.  Set SMART Goals: Establish Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Re ..read more

Today's guest, Rachel Norman, is a devoted mother of five who is passionate about teaching her children to live a godly life and equipping them with life skills to make godly choices  that align with the Bible. As the "Routine Queen," Rachel helps parents develop simple routines so their home can be a peaceful haven, not a source of stress. During the episode, Rachel emphasized the importance of talking to children about truth and equipping them to make godly choices that align with biblical values. She discussed the significance of teaching kids to navigate challenges and make choices t ..read more

In our last podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Tricia Poole, a homeschooling parent of six children. Last week, Trish shared the first 5 things she wish she knew as a beginning homeschooler and today Trish is sharing her final 5 tips for: "10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginning Homeschooler"  Here are some of her key points. 6. Differentiating Between Mom and Teacher Hat: Tricia highlighted the importance of helping kids differentiate between her roles as a mom and a teacher, and the significance of providing constructive feedback in a way that helps them grow. 7. Screen Time ..read more