Parents of the Year

• 190. How do we help kids tolerate boredom in a hyper-stimulating world?

  Boredom gets a bad reputation in modern parenting. Kids hate it, adults avoid it, and screens are always within reach to fill the quiet. In this Parents of the Year episode, Andrew and Caroline pull back the curtain on what boredom really does for kids’ brains—and for ours as adults. They talk honestly about ADHD, distress tolerance, screen overload, and why we don’t need to be our kids’ entertainment directors. You’ll hear: How boredom can feel physically painful for many kids and adults (especially with ADHD) How distress tolerance and emotion regulation show up when kids say “I’m bored!” The brain’s default mode network and why mind-wandering is essential for creativity and problem-solving  Why constant stimulation (screens, podcasts, social media) can quietly erode focus, patience, and mental health Practical ways families can build screen-free “nothing time” into daily life without power struggles Give kids space to explore, create, and figure stuff out—without a device in sight.  Homework Ideas🧩 Schedule “Alone Time” Blocks (for Kids and You)Pick one daily block (start with 15–30 minutes):·        No screens·        No parent entertainment·        Kids are free to read, draw, build, daydream, play, or putterTell them:“This is your time to figure out what to do. I’m not going to fill it.”For you: use that same block to do one simple thing without a device:·        Make tea·        Tidy a corner·        Sit and stare out a window·        Flip through a physical book🧩 Do a “Screen Audit” of Hidden MomentsFor 1–2 days, notice when you automatically reach for your phone:·        In the bathroom·        While eating·        While waiting in the car or pickup line·        In bed at night or first thing in the morningAsk aloud:“Why am I picking up my phone right now? What do I actually need to do?”If it’s not essential, practice putting it down and just being there. This is exactly the skill we want kids to build.🧩 Drive or Walk Without AudioChoose one of these and do it once or twice a week:·        A drive with everything off—no podcast, no music, no audiobook·        A walk without headphones or scrollingNotice:·        How quickly you want to fill the silence·        What thoughts pop up when your mind wanders·        How your nervous system feels afterwardShare that with your kids:“I drove in total quiet today. My brain really needed that break.”🧩 Create a Helpful SpaceSet up a shelf, basket, or corner with non-screen options kids can choose from when they’re “bored”:·        Simple craft supplies·        Blank paper, markers, tape·        Building materials·        Puzzles or open-ended toys·        A few books or magazinesYour script when they say “I’m bored”:“Good. That’s your brain asking for something new. Go see what your brain can come up with.”🧩  Protect BedroomSend us a textEnjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

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• 189. Does parental self-awareness matter more than parenting style?

  Andrew and Caroline discuss how much our own self-awareness as parents shape the way our kids turn out?From yelling regrets and chore battles this episode blends humour with honest reflection. They explore how everyday reactions, no matter how big or small, shape connection, resilience, and emotional safety.Listeners hear real examples of repair, frustration, boundaries, and the awkward but important skill of owning our mistakes. The message running through the conversation: parenting isn’t about perfection. What matters is noticing our reactions, understanding their impact, and showing kids what growth looks like in real time.Ideal for anyone looking for grounded, relatable conversations about emotional modeling, relationship repair, and realistic parenting.Homework IdeasDaily One-Minute Reflection At the end of the day, jot down one moment where you felt proud of your response and one moment you want to change next time. Purpose: builds habits without shame.Repair in Real Time When you lose your cool or snap, go back later with a short, clear statement: “I didn’t like how I handled that. Next time I’m going to try __.” Purpose: teaches kids accountability, not fear. Just be sure you do try something different next time!“Pause and Separate” Strategy If emotions spike, walk away before continuing the conversation. Purpose: models regulation more effectively than trying to force calm.Identify Your Trigger Points List the situations that reliably set you off. Then choose one and plan a calmer response for next time. Purpose: reduces reactive patterns.Consistent, Clear Boundaries Choose one boundary that matters.  Follow through on it for a full week without debating or lecturing. Purpose: builds predictability and reduces power struggles.Send us a textEnjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

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• 188. Are we helping kids? Or making them helpless?

  Andrew and Caroline jump headfirst into one of the biggest pressures modern families face: the urge to hover, track, micromanage, and constantly correct. They unpack why today’s parents feel pulled into overprotecting, how it chips away at confidence, and why kids need room to stumble if they’re going to grow sturdy roots.With stories about tracking apps, school expectations, Velcro parenting, and the snowball effect of fear-driven parenting trends, this episode gives listeners a real look at how easy it is to slide into over-involvement without noticing.They bring humour, real family moments, and blunt honesty to questions many parents tiptoe around: • How much help is too much? • Are we supporting our kids or suffocating them? • At what point does “caring” turn into control?Plus, they share practical ways to give kids responsibility, build independence, and let natural problem-solving kick in without abandoning age-appropriate safety.Perfect for anyone who want kids to grow strong, confident, and capable, without burning themselves out in the process.Homework IdeasThe “No Correction” Week Go an entire week without giving corrective feedback unless safety is at risk. Purpose: notice how often you micromanage and how relationships shift when you step back.Responsibility Upgrade Give kids a real task that has value to the family or classroom. Examples: • Packing their own lunch • Calling to solve their own bank or school issue • Planning the steps for an outing, project, or practice • Managing a small budget for a personal goalDelay Your Response When a child asks for help, pause before answering. Ask: “What do you think you could try?”Screen Boundary Reset Review every device in the home and remove access kids don’t actually need. If a child asks, explain the rule plainly: access requires maturity, not age alone.Personal Reflection Write down: • What scares you most about stepping back? • What outcome are you trying to control? • What small step feels safe to loosen up first?Optional Resources to Support the Work• A simple weekly planner for kids to organize responsibilities • A visual checklist for morning or school readiness • A “natural consequences” guide (age-appropriate list) • Family tech agreement template • Reflection worksheet for parents on over-monitoring habits(If you want, I can produce any of these as downloadable PDFs.)Send us a textEnjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

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• 187. Are parents violating their kids’ privacy online?

  Oversharing Kids Online: Why “Sharenting” Hurts More Than It HelpsParents are posting more than ever—but at what cost to their children’s privacy, safety, and sense of self? In this episode, Andrew and Caroline tackle the growing issue of “sharenting:” the habit of sharing too much about kids online. From cute toddler photos to venting about behaviour problems, they explore how these seemingly harmless posts can lead to embarrassment, digital footprints kids never consented to, and long-term risks to self-esteem and identity.They unpack why parents overshare, what children actually think about it, and how to set healthy digital boundaries at home. With humour, honesty, and real-life examples, this episode invites everyone to rethink how we use technology and model online responsibility.Homework IdeasAudit your social media — scroll back through old posts and delete or archive anything that shares personal or potentially embarrassing info about your child.Family discussion: ask your kids how they feel about photos or stories shared about them. Give them veto power going forward.Define your “why” — before posting anything, pause and ask: Why am I sharing this? Who benefits?Create a private space — set up a small, closed photo-sharing album (like Google Photos, Cluster, or Family Album) for grandparents or close family.Replace online time with connection time — trade 15 minutes of scrolling for a walk, board game, or family check-in.Other ideas to protect your child's privacy:American Psychological Association (APA): Guidelines on Children’s Digital PrivacyCommon Sense Media: Family Media Agreements and Privacy TipsCybertip.ca: Parent resources for online safety and digital consentSend us a textEnjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

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• 186. Can AI actually make parenting easier?

  In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline sit down with Camille Jaramis, founder of Ask Yawn, the first parenting AI designed to cut through the chaos of parenting advice online.Camille shares how she and a team of parent-engineers built Ask Yawn to give exhausted parents quick, science-backed support—without the judgment or endless Googling at 3 a.m. They talk about how tech can help families, where it can cross the line, and why balance, privacy, and trust matter more than ever. From late-night baby sleep struggles to the ethics of AI, this episode is honest, relatable, and packed with aha moments for anyone raising kids in the digital age. It’s a conversation about parenting smarter, not harder, and remembering that connection always comes first.Homework fIdeasAudit Your Parenting Information HabitsTrack where you get your parenting advice for one week (Google, social media, AI tools, friends).Reflect on which sources make you feel calmer vs. more anxious.Build a “Trusted Circle” of ResourcesChoose 3 reliable go-to sources (a pediatrician, a sleep consultant, or a small expert community).Limit online searches to pre-vetted spaces or AI tools with transparent data practices (like AskYawn).Create a “Screen-Free Parenting Zone”Set aside one daily block of time — even 15 minutes — where phones stay off and kids get your full attention. Notice how it changes connection and behaviour.Model Digital Balance for KidsLet your kids see you ask questions out loud or problem-solve without instantly reaching for a phone. It teaches patience, creativity, and self-trust.Protect Mental Health During Information OverloadRemind yourself: not every “expert” is your expert.If searching online becomes obsessive or anxiety-driven, take a tech break and reach out to a professional.📌 Resources:AskYawn — AI parenting assistant for baby sleep (ages 0–5)The Tech-Wise Family by Andy CrouchPostpartum Support International for emotional supportBaby Sleep Training Tips & Help Facebook Community Yawn: The Baby Sleep Training Podcast (Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts)About CamilleCamille Jaramis is the founder of Ask Yawn, an AI-powered parenting companion designed to support families through the messy, beautiful, and often overwhelming early years of raising children. In addition, Camille built one of the world’s largest parenting communities on Facebook with more than 670,000 members, authored The Baby Sleep Manual, and co-hosted The Baby Sleep Training Podcast. She brings both her lived experience as a mother and her professional background in technology and organizational development to everything she creates.  Send us a textEnjoying the show? Help us out by rating us on Apple! https://apple.co/3du8mPK Follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community! Access resources, get support from other parents, and ask Caroline and Andrew your questions! Follow FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566206651235and FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674563503855526

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