In this episode, we delve into the complexities of honesty in parenting, particularly when it comes to discussing difficult topics with children, such as illness and medical procedures. The hosts reflect on their experiences with their own kids in hospital settings, grappling with whether to shield them from painful truths or to prepare them for reality. They introduce insights from Dr. Kathy , highlighting the balance between protecting children's hearts and fostering resilience. The conversation also touches on the nature of white lies, referencing Alison Sweetgrant's essay from the New York Times, which discusses the spectrum of parental honesty, from harmless fabrications like Santa Claus to more significant truths. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of how honesty can shape our children's understanding and resilience.

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy delves into the complexities of diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children. She discusses the challenges faced by scientists and psychologists in recognizing this condition, particularly due to children's limited communication skills and emotional awareness. Highlighting recent advancements, Dr. Kathy shares insights on an innovative AI system developed by researchers at the University of South Florida. This system analyzes physical data—such as head positioning, gaze, and facial expressions—to better understand and identify PTSD in children. Tune in to learn how these developments could transform the approach to mental health treatment for kids, making it more effective and accessible.

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy explores the evolving standards by which we gauge adolescent well-being. While statistics show that high school graduation rates are up, smoking rates are down, and youth drug use is declining, many teens report increasing struggles with mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Dr. Kathy discusses the disconnect between traditional measures of success and the contemporary realities of adolescent life, questioning whether the goalposts for teen success have shifted. She emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health alongside tangible achievements, urging listeners to consider how societal perceptions of youth may impact their well-being. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating the complexities of growing up in today's world.

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy addresses the importance of instilling consistent and automatic character in kids to prepare them for proper leadership roles. As the world witnesses a trend of young men gravitating toward authoritarian leaders, Dr. Kathy emphasizes the dangers of this mindset and the need for parents to guide their children toward understanding biblical leadership. She advocates for following the example of servant leaders, particularly Jesus, to foster a generation equipped to discern healthy leadership. The discussion also touches on a recent poll from the UK revealing concerning attitudes among young adults towards governance. Tune in for valuable insights on nurturing future leaders with integrity and discernment.

There are a plethora of parenting tips, resources, and advisers who want parents to adopt strategies to instill character qualities in kids. All of these resources have the best of intentions, but many times the perspective creates undue weight on parents and kids, who are often found trying to match up to someone's perspective of what their kids should look like.

Dr. Kathy turns the tables on these lists, encouraging parents to ask their kids what character qualities they think are important, and guide students to Biblical traits.

In this episode, Wayne Stender introduces the exciting new book from Celebrate Kids and Dr. Kathy, in partnership with Summit Ministries, titled "Raising Gender Confident Kids," which aims to equip parents with tools to raise children with confidence in their gender identity. Listeners can pre-order the book from celebratekids.com to support ongoing ministry efforts. Join us as we delve into the importance of fostering gender confidence in today's society.

Order the book here: https://ckonlinestore.com/products/raising-gender-confident-kids?variant=47003909619966

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, host Wayne Stender addresses the heart-wrenching tragedy of a deadly flash flood that impacted an all-girls camp in Central Texas during the Fourth of July. He acknowledges the deep grief and anxiety surrounding the ongoing search and rescue efforts and reflects on the profound questions that arise in the face of such calamities, emphasizing that it's natural to question how God allows these events to happen. The discussion encourages listeners to grapple with their feelings and thoughts during difficult times. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of facing dark moments with hope and understanding.