Learning math is sometimes hard, and always important. Do you struggle to help your children learn math? You are not alone! Math is taught so differently today than when we were growing up. Our understanding of math learning and teaching has expanded, and our uses of math have changed dramatically with technological advances, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.   Dr. Judah Schwartz, Professor of Education Emeritus at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins Mom Enough to broaden our understanding of two important math learning concepts: conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. Conceptual understanding is when students know why a mathematical concept is important and when to use that concept. Procedural fluency is understanding the procedures used in math, and knowing how to use or adapt them for different circumstances. Tune in to this intellectually stimulating conversation on math learning, brought to you by supporting partner, Yup (an awesome math tutoring app with 24-7 access to top-notch teachers).   HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HELPING YOUR CHILD WITH LEARNING MATH? What is your greatest challenge when it comes to supporting your child's math learning? What are you observing as far as your child's math learning? Are they developing both conceptual understanding and procedural learning? How are your children’s teachers helping them think more deeply about math, and not just recite math facts?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MATH EDUCATION? ❉ CHECK OUT THE YUP TUTORING APP. Erin's kids love how easy it is for them to get help whenever they need it - 24/7. Learn how this app might help your children learn math.   ❉ 3 WAYS TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF MATH TO YOUR CHILDREN. Read this helpful information from Mom Enough's newest supporting partner, Yup.   ❉ HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN MATH: PRACTICAL TIPS FROM YUP. Listen as Kreg Maccio, experienced teacher, dean and now leader of academic development for the Yup math tutoring app, provides a useful framework for thinking about how to help our children build the skills, good sense and confidence to succeed in math.   ❉ PROMOTING YOUR CHILD’S MATH SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE: PUTTING MATH IN A POSITIVE LIGHT. University of Minnesota professor, Michele Mazzocco, joins Marti & Erin for an encouraging and interesting discussion of how to help your children discover that math is fun, doable and relevant to everyday life in this episode of Mom Enough.   ❉ INSPIRING YOUR CHILDREN TO LOVE MATH: A CONVERSATION WITH PROFESSOR LESA CLARKSON FROM THE U OF M’S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.  Lesa Clarkson describes fun and interesting activities we can do with our kids at every age to get them excited about math in everyday life and possibly inspire them to love math!

Mom Enough: Parenting tips, research-based advice + a few personal confessions!

Learning Math: Developing Procedural Fluency and Conceptual Understanding

Maternal depression and anxiety are very common. Have you or someone you know experienced depression or serious anxiety since becoming a mom? Given the prevalence of these mental health problems among mothers, your answer almost certainly is yes. Yet too often these disorders go undiagnosed and untreated -- in part because of stigma. Stigma is when people are unfairly viewed in negative ways because of their circumstances or a quality. It's essential that we work together as a community to challenge the stigma associated with mental illness. It’s important for all of us to understand the signs of maternal depression and anxiety, safe and effective treatment options and how family and friends can help. Psychiatrist Michelle Wiersgalla and psychologist Gabrielle Mauren from Park Nicollet Health Services join Marti & Erin for an informative and candid discussion everyone should hear.   WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MATERNAL DEPRESSION & ANXIETY? What has your experience been in your family or circle of friends with depression, anxiety or OCD? Why do you think these problems still are so unlikely to be properly diagnosed or treated among the many mothers (and others) who experience them? What can you do to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems?   WANT TO LEARN MORE? ❉ EXERCISE AND MENTAL HEALTH: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA’S DR. BETH LEWIS DISCUSSES THE PSYCHOLOGY OF EXERCISE. Listen to this episode to learn more about research demonstrating the mental health benefits associated with physical activity.   ❉ POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD) AND ANXIETY: WHEN THE “BABY BLUES” DON’T FADE AWAY. Psychologist Krista Post, clinical director of the Postpartum Counseling Center, knows there is no shame in seeking help and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Not only has she worked with many families facing postpartum depression, but she experienced it herself after giving birth to twins. Don’t miss this encouraging and informative Mom Enough show!

Maternal Depression and Anxiety: Essential Information about Incidence, Impact and Treatment

In a world dominated by electronic devices, many of us worry about the longterm impact on our children, especially those who get hooked on screen time at an early age. What is a good age to introduce screens? How much time is too much? To what extent are very young children learning useful things from screen time? What beneficial experiences are children missing when they spend hours each day passively viewing or interacting with electronic devices? And how about our own use of devices and the effects on our children and our relationship with them?   Dr. Megan Gunnar, a world-renown expert from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development (and grandmother to two adorable infants), joins Marti & Erin for an information-packed, thought-provoking discussion of this timely topic. Listen and learn what you can do to help make sure you and your child take advantage of digital technology, but don’t let it take control of your life! This episode of Mom Enough is brought to you by Help Me Grow – MN, a longtime supporting partner of Mom Enough.   WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SCREEN TIME AND YOUNG CHILDREN? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for babies before 18 months of age and only a small dose of high-quality material beyond that age. What concerns did this week’s Mom Enough guest raise about screen time in very early childhood? In what ways can parents mediate the effects of screen time to reduce harm and enhance learning? Based on what you learned in this discussion, what do you think you are doing well and what would you like to improve in terms of the way you and your family are using electronic devices?   WANT TO LEARN MORE? ❉ IMPORTANT TIPS TO MANAGE YOUR KIDS' SCREEN USE. Check out this resource from Mom Enough and Comcast to help your child make the most of the online world and screens, while also keeping them safe when they surf the web. ❉ THE IMPACT OF MEDIA ON CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT. Douglas Gentile, psychology professor at Iowa State University and a leading researcher on children and the impact of media, joins Marti & Erin for an information-packed discussion every parent should hear. Take special note of the power of parents to prevent the negative effects of media! ❉ MONITORING AND MANAGING YOUR CHILD'S USE OF SCREENS. Mom Enough partnered with Comcast to let you know about new resources for monitoring and managing your children’s screen use. Learn more in this video.

Screen Time in Early Childhood: Concerns, Opportunities and Realistic Guidelines

These days an unprecedented number of both children and adults report feeling anxious and overwhelmed much of the time. Maybe you are one of them! Many of us find ourselves at the mercy of our smart phones, tablets and other devices, responding to every beep and ping as if our lives depended on it. We also may feel compelled to say yes to every invitation or request that comes our way. But then, when the time comes to follow through, we’d rather enjoy a long walk, spend some fun time with our loved ones or read a good book.   In the words of psychologist Dr. Anthony Rao (Tony), we have lost our “agency,’ the ability to make wise decisions and put those decisions into actions that are consistent with the life we want to live. We have lost the ability to be effective agents on our own behalf. And, in doing so, we are setting an example for our children to do the same. Tony joins Marti & Erin in this episode of Mom Enough to discuss highlights of the new book he has written with colleague Paul Napper, The Power of Agency: The Seven Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms. In this lively discussion, Tony emphasizes the first three principles from his book: 1) Clear your mind by reducing stimuli; 2) Associate selectively; and 3) Move (or, as Tony says, “Use your body in more beautiful ways.”) He discusses how these foundational principles can be introduced to children of any age, setting the stage for both parent and child to increase their agency by moving on through all seven principles. Marti & Erin were inspired by Tony’s framework and practical tips and think you will be too.   WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE WISE ADVICE OF DR. RAO? What does the word "agency" mean to you? What would it look like if you increased your agency in the way you live your own life? Or helped your children do the same? Think of the first three principles Tony Rao discussed (clear your mind, affiliate selectively and move). What could you do this week to bring those principles to life for you and your children?   CHECK OUT THESE LINKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TOPICS RELATED TO AGENCY: ❉ ENGAGING CHILDREN AS GOOD CITIZENS: HELPING CHILDREN ENVISION THE WORLD THEY WANT AND TAKE ACTION TO REALIZE THAT VISION. Dr. Anne Klaeysen, head of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, offers clear and helpful ways to help our children discover their own values, learn what it means to be kind and fair on a large scale and recognize what they can contribute toward building a humane, ethical society, as children and throughout their lives.   ❉ THE CHEMISTRY OF CALM AND JOY: A CONVERSATION WITH INTEGRATIVE PSYCHIATRIST HENRY EMMONS. Listen as Dr. Emmons discusses the chemistry of emotions and simple, accessible strategies to manage energy, quiet our minds, build resilience and maximize our experience of calm, joy and well-being.   ❉ HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN REFLECT ON EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIORAL CHOICES. Check out this brief clip from the 2017 Night Out For ME presentation.

Unleashing the Power of Agency: Keys to Living Life on Your Own Terms

Given the major national focus on making sure all young children are prepared to succeed in school and beyond, it might be tempting to sit kids down at desks with workbooks or flashcards. While those activities may sometimes have a place in early childhood education, child development experts know that young children learn best by moving, exploring, creating, and interacting with peers to make plans and solve problems.   Across the country, an exciting movement has been gaining momentum, working to get kids into outdoor learning environments designed to ignite their natural curiosity and allow them to explore, discover and imagine to their hearts’ content. Twin Cities-based Kinderberry Hill has joined this movement, adding carefully-designed outdoor classrooms to their centers and arranging training and consultation so teachers and young students can make the most of these natural learning environments.   In this Mom Enough episode, Lisa Swan and Sara Reichstadt from Kinderberry Hill join Marti & Erin to talk about the benefits of nature experience and outdoor learning and to share stories of what they have seen their students do in these outdoor classrooms. Knowing parents can support this vibrant approach to learning, Lisa and Sara also offer practical tips for how you can apply these same outdoor learning concepts at home or in your community.   WHAT HAVE YOU OBSERVED WHEN CHILDREN LEARN OUTDOORS? Have you had a chance to watch children in an outdoor classroom – or just watched groups of young children figuring out what to do in a natural environment? How do you think outdoor classrooms would benefit children in a preschool or elementary school? More broadly, to what extent do you think we should be concerned that children today spend much less time outdoors than earlier generations? Why?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF "OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS" AND SIMPLY BEING OUTSIDE? ❉ A NEW VISION FOR OUTDOOR PLAY: AN ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND CONVERSATION WITH AMY FUSSELMAN, AUTHOR OF “SAVAGE PARK”. When writer Amy Fusselman, her husband and young children had an opportunity for a long visit with a friend in Japan, they discovered a whole new kind of “adventure playground” that opened their eyes to a new of thinking about children’s safety, learning, creativity and competence. Listen to this episode with Marti & Erin to learn more!   ❉ PRACTICAL IDEAS TO CONNECT CHILDREN AND NATURE: A CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR RICHARD LOUV. In this episode of Mom Enough, San Diego journalist Richard Louv discusses his book Vitamin N and shares concrete strategies for families, schools, healthcare organizations and communities to connect children and nature.

Outdoor Classrooms for Young Children: Unleashing Curiosity, Creativity, Discovery, Teamwork and More

Parental addiction has significant effects on children and the parent-child relationship, but there is hope and healing is possible. When a parent is addicted to alcohol or other drugs, their relationships with their children suffer, whatever the ages of the children. Given a chance, school-age children often describe working hard to keep their parent’s secret, trying to take care of their parent, and worrying that they can’t trust their parent to be there when they need them.   Even when children don’t use words to describe their experience, their anxiety and lack of trust often show up in sleep difficulties, regression in toileting, weight issues, aggression, difficulty focusing and poor relationships with teachers and peers. Although we sometimes may think that babies or toddlers are too young to know what parents are up to, a parent’s substance use can interfere in major ways with the development of a secure parent-infant attachment and important aspects of brain development in early childhood.   This week’s Mom Enough guests represent programs that are making a difference for parents and children of all ages, birth through adolescence. Helene Photias, national director of operations for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s Children’s Program, and Paula Frisk, senior director of zero to five home visiting programs at St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development, join Marti & Erin to discuss keys to helping parents and children move toward healing, build more positive and secure relationships, and create the fun and joy that every child and parent deserves.   HAVE YOU OBSERVED THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL ADDICTION ON PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS? What have you experienced or observed about parental substance use and its effects on parent-child relationships? Both programs discussed in this podcast focus on relationships. Why do you think that is important rather than just focusing separately on the child or the adult?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADDICTION & RECOVERY OR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR YOUR FAMILY?   ❉ ST DAVID'S CENTER FOR CHILD & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT. Nurturing development through early childhood education, intervention and treatment for children with developmental needs, and life-phase services for individuals with enduring special needs.   ❉ HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION. The nation's largest nonprofit treatment provider, with 17 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Washington. The Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.   ❉ WOMEN, ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH: INFORMATION AND PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FROM HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION. In this episode of Mom Enough, Dr. Wicks of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation discusses unique challenges faced by women dealing with addiction and, more broadly, how to approach a loved one (male or female) you believe has a substance use problem.   ❉ RECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM WITH YOUR ADOLESCENT: GUIDANCE FROM HAZELDEN BETTY FORD.  Listen as Dr. Leslie Adair of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation shares the information we need to recognize signs of possible addiction, to seek evaluation by an experienced professional and if needed, to get appropriate treatment and family support.

Parental Addiction: Impact on the Parent-Child Relationship & How to Heal Together

Adolescent sleep patterns represent a change from earlier childhood. Gone are the days of "early to bed and early to rise." Adolescents tend to stay up later and, if allowed, sleep in. The quantity and quality of sleep a person gets is important to health, safety and well-being at every age. But recent research highlights the unique sleep needs of adolescents and the high cost when those needs are not met – from poorer school performance to depression to greater risk of car accidents and more.   Kyla Wahlstrom, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota, has studied this issue for more than 20 years, including a recently completed 3-year study with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She joins Marti & Erin for a lively discussion of what parents can do to ensure adolescents get the sleep they need and to make the case for why later school start times are an important part of the equation.   WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ADOLESCENT SLEEP PATTERNS? What did you learn in this Mom Enough interview about how and why later school start times (after 8:30 am) are so important for adolescents? If your district has early start times and is not likely to change them, what steps can you and your family take to improve the amount and quality of your children’s sleep?   WANT TO LEARN MORE? ❉ START SCHOOL LATER. Check out this coalition of health professionals, sleep scientists, educators, parents, students and concerned citizens dedicated to increasing public awareness about the relationship between sleep and school hours. ❉ EVIDENCE ON THE IMPACT OF A LATER HIGH SCHOOL START TIME. Read this study to learn more about the evidence for later high school start times. ❉ IN SEARCH OF A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP: PRACTICAL TIPS FROM DR. HARVEY KARP. Listen to this Mom Enough episode with The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep author, Dr. Harvey Karp. ❉ ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT YOUR CHILD MAY NOT BE GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP? Tune in to this show to learn more about the symptoms and management of sleep disorders from expert, Dr. Gerald Rosen.   Amazon Links are from the Associate Program. Mom Enough® may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only share links to products that we have personally reviewed and/or used. Your purchase helps Mom Enough continue to offer evidence-based information at no cost to our listeners.

Adolescent Sleep Patterns and School Start Times

We all have read the heartbreaking stories of young people’s lives destroyed by opioid addiction, and most of us probably have a family member or friend who has been touched by this insidious problem. But did you know that the U.S. consumes 80% of the opioids in the world (and 99% of hydrocodone), even though we make up only 4.4% of the world’s population? Although opioid prescriptions have dropped since their peak in 2012 (when 255 million prescriptions were written), recent data still show 191 million prescriptions being written per year. Among people abusing opioids, just over 30% get them by prescription, while about 50% get them from friends or relatives. (How many of you have unused opioids in your medicine cabinet after having them prescribed following surgery or a painful dental procedure? How accessible are they to your children or guests?)   So, what can we do as parents to protect the children and adults in our family and community from the dangers of opioids? Ahmed Eid, Addiction Program Manager at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, brings answers that every parent should hear. Specifically, he addresses these questions and more: What safer options are there for managing pain when that is necessary? Where and how should we dispose of leftover opioids so they won’t fall into the wrong hands? What are the signs of opioid addiction in young people and how are they the same as or different from other types of addiction? (For example, unlike other substances that are more social, opioid use is isolating, leaving the user extremely irritable, experiencing intense itching, having slurred speech and a pattern of dozing off. Within 6 – 10 hours after the last use, intense withdrawal symptoms set in, including pain all over.) What is the most effective treatment approach and how is that the same or different than treatment for addiction to other substances? For example, what about the use of medication in treatment, as well as the more holistic approach typically used to treat other addictions? And perhaps most important of all, how can we talk with our children about opioid use in a way that will keep them from starting down that path?   Ahmed notes that talking with our children from an early age is one of the most important things we can do, telling them clearly how miserable the experience of opioid addiction is and how all-consuming the craving becomes. We urge you to listen carefully to this important and informative Mom Enough discussion so that you are better prepared to keep your children and other loved ones safe.   WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OPIOID USE AND ABUSE? What surprised you in this discussion about opioid addiction? Why do you think the U.S. is accountable for such a high proportion of opioid use in the world? What could we do as a society to address those larger forces that have set the stage for such a high incidence of opioid addiction and related deaths? On a more personal level, what can you say and do in your own home or neighborhood to reduce the likelihood that young people will abuse opioids?   WANT TO LEARN MORE? ❉ FROM ARAB SPRING TO A UNIQUELY AMERICAN SCOURGE. Read this Star Tribune article about Ahmed Eid's journey from Egypt, where he worked as a counselor in a psychiatric hospital, to Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, where he working hard to treat and prevent opioid addiction.   ❉ SESAME STREET INTRODUCES NEW CHARACTER TO HELP KIDS UNDERSTAND THE OPIOID CRISIS. Sesame Street creators turned to the issue of addiction since data shows 5.7 million children under the age of 11 live in households with a parent with substance use disorder. Learn more in this video.   ❉ RECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM WITH YOUR ADOLESCENT: GUIDANCE FROM HAZELDEN BETTY FORD. Dr. Leslie Adair, from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, shares the information parents need to recognize signs of possible addiction and how to get appropriate treatment...

Opioid Addiction: Keys to Prevention and Intervention from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

We’ve all seen them (and many of us have been them) – the sports parents yelling at the referee, coaching their child from the sidelines or booing the other team. What are kids learning when they see that behavior? And how does that parental behavior affect children’s health, well-being and feelings about sports?   University of Minnesota researcher Dr. Nicole LaVoi has spent years seeking answers to these questions. And she has helped many communities move toward more positive attitudes and behavior to support children’s development as athletes and people of character. In this Mom Enough episode, Marti & Erin were taking Nicole’s well-tested advice to heart, and you will too!   DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELVES GOOD SPORTS PARENTS? How would you describe your own behavior at your children’s sports events? Based on what Dr. La Voi discussed in this Mom Enough interview, what are you doing well and what could you improve?     WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POSITIVELY SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD'S ATHLETIC ENDEAVORS? ❉ THE BENEFITS OF SPORTS FOR CHILDREN: WISDOM ON BEING THE BEST SPORTS PARENT YOU CAN BE FROM COACH AND PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR JOHN TAUER. Listen to this episode to learn more from coach, psychology professor, and author of Why Less Is More for WOSPS: How to Be the Best Sports Parent You Can Be. (Click book image to purchase through our affiliate link.)   ❉ HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE URGE TO SLIP OUT OF YOUR CHILD’S SPORTS EVENT AND GO DO WHAT YOU WANT? Listen to self-described “Bad Hockey Mom" and author, Karlyn Coleman, as she discusses what it really means to be "mom enough" with Drs. Marti & Erin Erickson.   ❉ HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD GET THE MOST OUT OF PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS? AND WHAT ARE THE PITFALLS TO AVOID? Listen to this oldie, but goodie, Mom Enough episode with child development professor and longtime advisor to student-athletes, Dr. Richard Weinberg, who shares the dos and don’ts of nurturing your child’s athletic talents and interests.   ❉ CHANGING THE GAME: THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO RAISING HAPPY, HIGH PERFORMING ATHLETES, AND GIVING YOUTH SPORTS BACK TO OUR KIDS. Check out this book to learn more about being good sports parents. (Click book image to purchase through our affiliate link.) Amazon Links are from the Associate Program. Mom Enough® may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only share links to products that we have personally reviewed and/or used. Your purchase helps Mom Enough continue to offer evidence-based information at no cost to our listeners.

Being Good Sports Parents: Bringing Out the Best in Your Young Athletes

Many of us are uncomfortable talking candidly with our children and teens about sex, perhaps hoping sex education programs at school will do the job. And yet, research shows that, as parents, we often overestimate what our children learn at school. And we underestimate the impact we will have on our children’s attitudes and behaviors if we muster the courage and confidence to talk openly about this important aspect of human development.   Author Janet Rosenzweig, Executive Director of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and a longtime sex educator and author, joins Marti & Erin to talk about what it means to speak comfortably and accurately about sex with children and teens. For example, she emphasizes the importance of teaching children about sexual arousal as an autonomic (involuntary) response that has nothing to do with thought or reason – a critical element in discerning between arousal and love. And she highlights that, when parents take responsibility as primary sex educators for their children, they have the opportunity to wrap those messages in their family’s values. Above all, Dr. Rosenzweig makes a strong case for arming our children with detailed, accurate information about the natural sexual responses humans experience, which in turn will empower our children to make healthy, safe choices now and later.   HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TALKING WITH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT SEX? How did your parents or other adults talk to you about sex? How helpful were those conversations in terms of your understanding of your own sexual arousal and the choices you made about sexual behavior? In what ways do you want to do things the same or differently as you try to prepare your children for making safe, healthy sexual decisions?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TALKING WITH CHILDREN ABOUT SEX? ❉ THE SEX-WISE PARENT & THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO TALKING ABOUT SEX. Check out these great books from this week's guest, Dr. Janet Rosenzweig. Or better yet, purchase them here (click book image to purchase through our affiliate link):   ❉ TEACHING OUR CHILDREN ABOUT SEX, LOVE AND EQUALITY: A CONVERSATION ABOUT SEX EDUCATION. Listen to this episode of Mom Enough with Bonnie Rough, author of Beyond Birds & Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to Our Kids about Sex, Love and Equality.   ❉ ERIN'S RECOMMENDED BOOKS ABOUT SEX FOR KIDS: For 4 years old and up (click book image to purchase through our affiliate link): For 7 years old and up (click book image to purchase through our affiliate link): Amazon Links are from the Associate Program. Mom Enough® may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only share links to products that we have personally reviewed and/or used. Your purchase helps Mom Enough continue to offer evidence-based information at no cost to our listeners.

Talking with Children about Sex: Keys to Sexual Health and Safety

Do you struggle to help your child learn math? As parents, many of us are at a loss to help our children and teens when they get stuck on a math problem. Not only have we forgotten many of the skills we don’t use regularly, but we quickly discover that our children are learning different ways of doing math than we were taught – so much so that our efforts to help may confuse our children further.   This week’s Mom Enough guest, Kreg Moccia, experienced teacher, dean and now leader of academic development for the Yup math tutoring app, sees a way past these challenges. In his conversation with Marti & Erin, Kreg provides a useful framework for thinking about how to help our children build the skills, good sense and confidence to succeed in math. Drawing on Carol Dweck’s concept of “growth mindset,” Kreg explains how that concept can help our children and teens develop new habits in approaching challenging math tasks. Kreg also introduces the innovative math tutoring app called Yup, which makes it possible for students in grades 3 – 12 to get instant, 24/7 guidance from online tutors trained and monitored in using the “growth mindset” concept. This evidence-based teaching approach (backed by Stanford University) helps students understand math concepts and vocabulary, figure out what they are doing right, identify past successes on which they can build, check their work carefully and use “sense-checking” to determine if their answers make sense. As a long-time educator, Marti applauds Yup’s careful approach to ensuring quality of teaching. And, after trying the app to help them through some challenging math problems, Erin’s teenage kids give a heartfelt endorsement to Yup as a way to deepen their learning and build their confidence. Mom Enough is delighted to have Yup as a supporting partner.   DOES YOUR CHILD'S MATH HOMEWORK STRAIN YOUR BRAIN? What has been your experience in trying to help your kids when they have trouble with math homework? What did you hear in this Mom Enough discussion that could help you next time your kids are struggling? What do you think of a math tutoring app to help your kids when they are stuck?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH MATH? ❉ CHECK OUT THE YUP TUTORING APP. Erin's kids love how easy it is for them to get help whenever they need it - 24/7. Learn how this app might help your children learn math.   ❉ 3 WAYS TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF MATH TO YOUR CHILDREN. Read this helpful information from Mom Enough's newest supporting partner, Yup.   ❉ PROMOTING YOUR CHILD’S MATH SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE: PUTTING MATH IN A POSITIVE LIGHT. University of Minnesota professor, Michele Mazzocco, joins Marti & Erin for an encouraging and interesting discussion of how to help your children discover that math is fun, doable and relevant to everyday life in this episode of Mom Enough.   ❉ INSPIRING YOUR CHILDREN TO LOVE MATH: A CONVERSATION WITH PROFESSOR LESA CLARKSON FROM THE U OF M’S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.  Lesa Clarkson describes fun and interesting activities we can do with our kids at every age to get them excited about math in everyday life and possibly inspire them to love math!

Help Your Child Learn Math: Practical Tips from Yup

Would you like to find more calm and joy in your life? As parents, many of us often find ourselves in reactive mode, letting stress, frustration, anger or disappointment overwhelm us. For some of us, those feelings reach the level of clinical depression or an anxiety disorder. Dr. Henry Emmons has spent his career helping people understand and apply the chemistry of emotions, using simple, accessible strategies to manage energy, quiet our minds, build resilience and maximize our experience of calm, joy and well-being. Learn with Marti & Erin in this helpful, inspiring discussion!   DO YOU LONG FOR MORE CALM, JOYFUL MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE? What ideas did you take away from this Mom Enough discussion with psychiatrist Henry Emmons? Think of a recent situation in which you felt like negative emotions were taking over. Next time a similar situation arises, what steps could you take to handle it differently?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO INCORPORATE CALM AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE? ❉ MAINTAINING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH - FOR YOUR SAKE AND YOUR CHILDREN'S. Practical steps parents can take to maintain their mental health and well-being.   ❉ MENTAL HEALTH, A FAMILY AFFAIR: HOW MANAGING YOUR OWN STRESS AND EMOTIONS SUPPORTS YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH AND WELL BEING. Listen to a past show with one of Mom Enough's supporting partners, St. David's Center for Child & Family Development for strategies we can use to reduce our stress and manage our feelings.   ❉ NATURAL MENTAL HEALTH. For more resources to encourage optimal mental health, check out this website that was co-founded by Dr. Henry Emmons.

The Chemistry of Calm and Joy: A Conversation with Integrative Psychiatrist Henry Emmons

Family mealtime and the conversation that goes along with it provide longterm benefits for children and teens. These include better physical health, stronger parent-child relationships, better school performance, lower risk of substance abuse, better vocabulary, and greater resilience. But many families struggle to get everyone at the table at the same time, let alone prepare a healthy meal or have a meaningful or entertaining conversation. Busy schedules, both for parents and kids, are one major obstacle to family mealtime, but families also cite picky eaters and the distractions of devices as challenges.   The Family Dinner Project, a nonprofit initiative based in Boston, has been helping families overcome those obstacles for ten years, helping families find fun and laughter at the same time. They recently released Eat, Laugh,Talk: The Family Dinner Playbook, a cookbook (and much more!) that has Marti & Erin excited to use it with their family. Dr. Anne Fishel, Executive Director of The Family Dinner Project, joins Marti & Erin to explore creative ways families can schedule family mealtime and make it interesting and fun. In addition to directing this nonprofit, Anne also is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Harvard Medical School and Director of the Family and Couple Therapy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. Reflecting on that experience, Anne affirms the value of family mealtime, saying with a laugh, “If more families had family dinner, I think I’d be out of business as a family therapist.”     DO YOU LONG FOR FAMILY MEALTIME & CONVERSATION THAT GO BEYOND FROZEN PIZZA AND "HOW WAS YOUR DAY?" What things help or hinder you from having family mealtimes on a regular basis? What ideas did you hear in this Mom Enough discussion that might help you increase the frequency of family mealtime in your household? What conversation starters or games sounded like they might be fun to try with your family?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FAMILY MEALTIME? ❉ THE BENEFITS OF FAMILY MEALS AND HOW TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN. Erin shares in her blog post for Natural Mental Health, 5 strategies for making family meals happen.   ❉ HOW TO KEEP FOOD FUN. Check out these ideas to help you keep your child excited about new foods.   ❉ HEALTHY EATING FOR PARENTS AND KIDS. Read these tips for some healthy diet ideas for your whole family.

Making Family Mealtime Manageable and Fun: Recipes, Conversation Starters and Games from The Family Dinner Project

It can be easy to slip into an unhealthy pattern of using alcohol to cope with holiday stress. Did you know that an increasing number of women are misusing alcohol today? And when women drink, they are at greater risk of addiction than men and less likely to seek help. The holidays create extra stress for women, who typically bear the greatest responsibility for holiday preparations. With high expectations to match the perfect images on holiday cards or posed Instagram posts, women often feel they aren’t measuring up. Add to that an emphasis on alcohol at holiday festivities and over-drinking, or a relapse in maintaining already-established sobriety, are risks.    This week’s Mom Enough guest, Kim Albers, understands these challenges well. Director of Recovery Management at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Kim understands the particular vulnerability of women to addiction and the stigma and social expectations that keep women (especially moms) from seeking treatment when they need it. With empathy and respect, Kim acknowledges the shame many women feel around their drinking. Most important, Kim knows the critical role of self-care and emotional support in helping women drink reasonably or, for those in recovery, protect their sobriety. She joins Marti & Erin for a detailed and helpful discussion of all of these issues. She also provides very clear information on how to know if your drinking is problematic and where to turn to get help tailored to your specific needs and strengths.      HAVE YOU USED ALCOHOL TO COPE WITH HOLIDAY STRESS? Can you think of a time when you (or someone you love) has gotten caught up in celebrating and had too much to drink? How did you (or your loved one) feel the next day, both physically and emotionally? What tips could help you and your loved ones avoid overdrinking during the holidays? If you or someone you love frequently engage in overdrinking, where can you turn first to find out if you need professional help?    WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AVOIDING ALCOHOL AND DEVELOPING HEALTHY COPING STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING HOLIDAY STRESS? ❉ DO YOU FEEL YOUR STRESS BUILDING AS THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH? Listen to this episode with researcher Dr. Anna Kudak, who has spent years interviewing women about their holiday experiences. Learn how to ease up a bit and create meaning this holiday season. ❉ REDUCING HOLIDAY STRESS. Check out this tip sheet to learn ways to reduce your stress this holiday. ❉ WOMEN AND ALCOHOL: A CONVERSATION ABOUT WOMEN’S RISK OF ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS. If you want to learn more about women alcohol, listen to this podcast with Jill Seward of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. ❉ DO YOU EVER WONDER IF YOUR ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE IS BECOMING A PROBLEM? Take the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Online Drug and Alcohol Addiction Test.

Women, Alcohol and Holiday Stress: Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation on Healthy Choices about Alcohol

Want to learn more about preventing obesity in children and teens using a family-focused approach? Dr. Daheia Barr-Anderson has spent her career trying to untangle the individual, family and community factors that contribute to overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. An assistant professor in the U of M’s Department of Kinesiology, Daheia has put that research into practice in family-focused interventions, including an innovative mother-daughter intervention with African-American girls and their moms. Tune into Daheia’s interesting and informative conversation with Marti & Erin to learn what matters most and to think about how small changes can lead to big differences in the health of your children and you!   WHAT WILL YOU DO TO PREVENT CHILDHOOD OBESITY? Think about your own family’s patterns of eating and physical activity. What aspects of your lifestyle, your relationships and your neighborhood support or hinder you and your children from maintaining a healthy weight? What small steps could you take to bring about healthy change?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PREVENTING OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND TEENS? CHECK OUT THESE GREAT RESOURCES: ❉  COULD YOUR CHILD BE HEADING TOWARD OBESITY?  A pediatrician from Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota helps us understand how the choices you make can keep your child on the path to health. ❉ THE BENEFITS OF FAMILY MEALS & FIVE TIPS TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN. After your hard work in the kitchen, are your children done eating within five minutes of the food hitting the table and begging to leave? If you can relate, know that you’re not alone. Check out this article on the benefits of family meals and how to make them happen. ❉  WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY OF MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES FOR YOUR CHILDREN – AND TEACHING THEM TO DO THE SAME? A specialist in pediatric nutrition offers simple tips that can lead to meaningful change in your child’s health and fitness.

Preventing Obesity in Children and Teens: A Family Affair

Dr. Marti Erickson, developmental psychologist and her daughter Dr. Erin Erickson, women’s health nurse practitioner and specialist in maternal-child health, use research-based information and a few personal confessions as they and their guests discuss what it means to be “mom enough.”

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Mom Enough: Parenting tips, research-based advice + a few pe...

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