• Helping Families Be Happy

  • By: Familius
  • Podcast
Helping Families Be Happy cover art

Helping Families Be Happy

By: Familius
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  • Summary

  • With help from guest authors, experts, and community and business leaders, the Familius Helping Families Be Happy podcast explores topics and issues that connect families to the nine habits of a happy family: love, play, learn, work, talk, heal, read, eat, and laugh together.
    Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Turning Pages, Building Futures: The Power of Children's Literature with Dr. Cynthia Weill

    Turning Pages, Building Futures: The Power of Children's Literature with Dr. Cynthia Weill
    May 15 2024
    In this heartfelt episode of Helping Families Be Happy, host Adina Oberman, a devoted mother and children's book enthusiast, invites Dr. Cynthia Weill, a renowned art historian and Director of the Center for Children"s Literature at Bank Street College, to dive deep into the significance of children"s literature in early education. Together, they explore the transformative power of books in nurturing young minds, the invaluable resources offered by Bank Street College, and Dr. Weill's personal journey in the realm of children's literature. Episode Highlights **00:00:10 - Introduction** Adina Oberman introduces the podcast and its alignment with Famis habits, welcoming Dr. Cynthia Wilde to discuss her extensive work in children's literature. Adina shares her background and excitement about discussing early childhood and literature, setting the stage for a conversation centered around educational practices, children's books, and their impact on families and educators. **00:01:39 - Dr. Cynthia Weill Joins the Conversation** Dr. Weill expresses her gratitude for being part of the podcast and sets a warm and engaging tone for the discussion that follows. **00:01:43 - Bank Street's Contribution to Early Childhood and Literature** Dr. Weill provides an in-depth overview of Bank Street College's history, its educational philosophy influenced by Lucy Sprague Mitchell and John Dewey, and the institution's comprehensive approach to child-centered, experiential learning. The conversation sheds light on Bank Street's transformative role in the world of early childhood education and its innovative contributions, including the development of the Bank Street Writer's Lab. **00:02:17 - The Evolution of Children"s Literature** Expanding on the history of children's literature, Dr. Weill discusses the pioneering work of Lucy Sprague Mitchell in promoting books that reflect the "here and now" of a child"s world. This segment offers listeners insight into how children's literature has evolved over the years, emphasizing Bank Street's historical impact on this transformation. **00:05:16 - Bank Street"s Best Book Lists and Awards** Dr. Weill delves into the criteria and process behind the Bank Street Children's Book Committee's selection of the best children's books, highlighting the importance of these resources for educators and families. She underscores the value of curated lists in guiding book selection, thereby enriching the educational experience for children. **00:06:43 - Advocacy and Diversity in Children"s Literature** The conversation turns to Dr. Weill's advocacy for quality children's literature, including efforts to curate a comprehensive list of exceptional Spanish-language and bilingual books. This segment emphasizes the need for diversity and representation in children"s books and Bank Street"s role in promoting these values within the publishing industry. **00:07:55 - Using Bank Street Resources** Adina asks for advice on leveraging Bank Street's assets to discover quality children"s books. Dr. Weill introduces the newly created database, highlighting its utility in helping families and educators find books on specific topics, illustrating how Bank Street's resources can simplify the search for impactful children's literature. **00:10:29 - Importance of Advocacy in Children's Publishing** Dr. Weill discusses the influence of Bank Street's advocacy on publishers' decisions to produce and recognize high-quality children"s literature. This part of the conversation provides an inside look at how recognition and awards can motivate publishers to prioritize significant works for children. **00:19:05 - Dr. Cynthia Weill's Personal Journey** Show Notes By Barevalue Dr. Wilde shares her journey from a Spanish teacher to an artist collaborating with Oaxacan artisans to create bilingual children's books. This segment offers a unique perspective on integrating cultural art and education within the realm of children's literature, highlighting Dr. Weill's passion for her work. **00:21:40 - Conclusion and Contact Information** The episode wraps up with thanks to Dr. Weill for her contributions and information on how listeners can access Bank Street's resources. Adina encourages listeners to explore the rich world of children's literature through the lenses provided by Dr. Weill and Bank Street College. Key Takeaways - Children"s literature plays a crucial role in early development, reflecting the everyday world of the child and fostering a deeper connection to learning. - Bank Street College serves as a vital resource for educators and families, offering curated book lists, awards, and a comprehensive database to aid in the selection of quality children's books. - Advocacy and recognition by esteemed institutions like Bank Street can significantly influence publishers' efforts to produce diverse, high-quality children"s literature. - Integrating ...
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    22 mins
  • Beyond Acceptance: Empowering Parents of LGBTQ+ Teens with Heather Hester

    Beyond Acceptance: Empowering Parents of LGBTQ+ Teens with Heather Hester
    May 8 2024
    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, host Christopher Robbins, an author, husband, and father of nine, engages in a heartfelt conversation with Heather Hester, founder of Chrysalis Mama and advocate for LGBTQIA+ adolescents. They delve into the complexities and beauties of parenting LGBTQ+ teens, drawing from personal experiences and Heather's recent book, "Parenting with Pride." This discussion offers valuable insights into embracing and supporting LGBTQIA+ children with understanding, love, and empowerment. Episode Highlights: - **00:00:09**: Christopher Robbins introduces the podcast and its mission to explore family, love, and relationships. He shares his background as a co-founder of Famis Publishing and a father of nine, emphasizing the podcast's commitment to providing real-life insights into nurturing family dynamics and supportive environments for all family members, including LGBTQIA+ teens. - **00:01:17**: Heather Hester is introduced as today’s guest. She talks about her role as the founder of Chrysalis Mama and her efforts to support parents and allies of LGBTQIA+ adolescents through education and empowerment. Heather shares her anticipation for the release of her first book, "Parenting with Pride," which aims to guide parents in embracing, empowering, and loving their LGBTQ+ teens. - **00:02:23**: Heather expresses her gratitude for being a part of the podcast and delves into the origins of her podcast, "Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen." She discusses the importance of sharing personal experiences and hosting guests with diverse expertise to support and educate parents navigating their journey with LGBTQ+ adolescents. - **00:04:29**: The conversation shifts to the core message of Heather's book. They discuss the challenges parents might face when their child comes out as LGBTQ+ and the significance of approaching these challenges with love, understanding, and a willingness to learn and unlearn biases. - **00:05:20**: Heather emphasizes simplicity in dealing with complex emotions and scenarios that arise when a child comes out. She encourages parents to see their child for who they are, reassure them of their unconditional love, and engage in self-reflection and learning to support their child effectively. - **00:06:16**: The discussion underlines the universal needs of children to be seen, heard, and loved. Christopher and Heather talk about the power of genuine curiosity and open communication in strengthening the parent-child relationship, especially when navigating the child's journey of self-discovery and expression. - **00:08:04**: Love as a verb is highlighted, with a focus on demonstrating love through actions and behaviors. This part of the discussion serves as a reminder that showing love and support plays a crucial role in modeling healthy relationships and emotional well-being for children. - **00:09:03**: Heather and Christopher explore the positive impacts of embracing and supporting LGBTQ+ children on family dynamics. They share personal stories that illustrate the strength and closeness that can result from navigating these experiences with compassion and understanding. - **00:09:55**: Educational resources and strategies for unlearning bias are discussed. Heather provides recommendations for organizations and resources that offer valuable information and support for families and communities striving to better understand and embrace LGBTQIA+ individuals. - **00:12:29**: Heather shares her hopes for readers of her book. She wishes for them to recognize the inherent capability within themselves to love their children unconditionally, become strong allies, and find freedom from fear through education and open-heartedness. - **00:14:14**: Closing thoughts emphasize the enduring and evolving journey of acceptance and love within families. Show Notes By Barevalue Heather shares updates on her family and the positive outcomes of embracing the principles discussed in her book and throughout her advocacy work. - **00:14:57**: Contact information for Heather Hester is provided, offering listeners further opportunities to connect with her work and access additional resources through her website, Chrysalis Mama. Key Takeaways: Embracing and supporting LGBTQ+ children begins with unconditional love, open communication, and a willingness to learn and unlearn biases. Genuine curiosity about a child's experiences and perspectives can strengthen the parent-child relationship and foster a supportive environment for self-discovery. Education and resources are available for families seeking to better understand and navigate the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ children, emphasizing the importance of community and expert guidance. The journey of embracing LGBTQ+ children is ongoing, filled with opportunities for growth, understanding, and deeper familial connections. Tweetable Quotes: - "Your child just needs to be seen. ...
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    16 mins
  • Toddler Talk: Language, Behavior, and Parenting with Liz Swenson

    Toddler Talk: Language, Behavior, and Parenting with Liz Swenson
    May 1 2024

    On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Christopher Robbins, co-founder of Familius Publishing, husband, father of nine, author, fisherman, backpacker, and aspirational musician based in the Central Valley of California, talks to author and illustrator Liz Swenson. Liz has written two survival guides for parents: "You Got This, Mama: From boobs to Blowouts, a Survival Guide for New Mothers" and "Raising Tiny Humans: From Potty Training to Prejudice, The Survival Guide for the Wild Toddler Years." The discussion focuses on raising toddlers and includes valuable insights into teaching children about dehumanizing language, separating behavior from the person, and fostering executive function skills.

    Episode Highlights:

    • 01:30: Christopher extends Valentine's Day wishes and delves into the evolution of Liz's books, "You Got This, Mama" and "Raising Tiny Humans," laying the foundation for the discussion.
    • 03:04: The focus shifts to a critical aspect of parenting toddlers: teaching them about dehumanizing language and its subtle yet impactful nuances.
    • 05:07: Liz emphasizes the significance of distinguishing between a child's behavior and their core identity, encouraging a healthy understanding of hurtful actions.
    • 06:29: Exploring the concept of "hurt people hurting people," Liz sheds light on how understanding this dynamic can help address negative behaviors in toddlers.
    • 08:00: The conversation turns to the development of executive function skills in toddlers, with Liz underlining the importance of explicit teaching in this area.
    • 09:49: Liz discusses the necessity for parents to undergo mental shifts, specifically reframing tantrums as expressions of significant emotions rather than mere misbehavior.
    • 11:42: The podcast delves into the crucial topic of prioritizing parental well-being and self-care, acknowledging the challenges of navigating parenthood.
    • 13:50: Liz shares valuable insights gained from her journey of writing books and raising toddlers, offering a glimpse into the lessons learned along the way.
    • 16:51: Liz share practical tips for "levelling up" parenting emerge, emphasizing the importance of taking intentional breaks and being mindful of language choices.

    Key Points:

    1. The conversation highlights the importance of nurturing executive function skills in toddlers through explicit teaching, breaking down tasks, and promoting resilience, contributing to overall cognitive and emotional development.
    2. Recognizing the challenges of parenting, the discussion underscores the significance of parents prioritizing their well-being, taking intentional breaks, and practicing patience to create a supportive environment for both them and their toddlers.
    3. By reframing tantrums as expressions of significant emotions rather than mere misbehavior, parents can navigate challenges with patience and empathy.

    Tweetable Quotes:

    • "Teaching toddlers isn't just about ABCs; it's about nurturing their executive function skills, breaking tasks into steps, and fostering resilience." - Liz Swenson
    • "Parenting is a journey of self-discovery. Prioritize your well-being, take breaks, and grow alongside your child for a more fulfilling experience." - Christopher Robbins
    • "Words matter. Reframing language to separate behavior from identity helps create a positive environment where toddlers learn empathy and understanding." - Liz Swenson

    Resources Mentioned

    • Helping Families Be Happy Podcast Apple
    • https://lizswenson.org/
    • Podcast Editing
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    19 mins
Children's Audiobooks Relationships Parenting & Families
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