Explore "talktoyourkids" with insightful episodes like "Habla con tus hijos!!!!!!!!!", "The POWER of Sharing During Stressful Times", "Good, Better, Best. How often should I monitor my child’s smartphone?", "The New Puberty Talks for a Media-Saturated World with Rowena Thomas" and "Dear Savvy: How Often Should I Talk to My Child About Pornography?" from podcasts like ""Entre Amigas", "ZLORD podcast", "Media Savvy Moms", "Media Savvy Moms" and "Media Savvy Moms"" and more!
During cohosts teZa and Carter Lord's lifetimes things have never felt so filled with things beyond their control. World events are catastrophic. Putin's Russia invading Ukraine has thrown the entire globe into a frightening tailspin. Never before has a nuclear threat loomed as REAL as we are experiencing right now. Today. So what can we do to ease the stress? Especially helping our young children through these troubled times? Here are explicit tools how to handle your own, your friends', and our children's anxiety. We must. share about our fears in a safe way. Not keep these dark feelings locked inside. But how can we do this, especially with hard-to-communicate-with children? Suicides of kids have skyrocketed since the pandemic. As a result, the US government has initiated a new hotline for mental health: 988. Please call if you are feeling suicidal and spread this message! The Lords discuss their personal approach of holding a all-equal-voices family meeting. This subject is also a major theme of teZa's nonfiction book "Zen Love." tezalord.com for more.
Involved parents worry about their child or teen’s safety online. And rightly so. The nature of the internet means harmful content could come across their screen at any time. Dangerous situations seem to be lurking around every corner. So, many parents wonder, how often should I monitor my child’s smartphone? Should I check it daily? And is that really the best way to keep them from harm?
In this episode, I confess that I don't check my child's phone the way many parents do. Saying that publicly on this podcast does make me feel a little vulnerable. I recognize I’m going against the grain. But, I hope, as I explain the principles behind my strategy and how online safety is always a top priority in our home, I feel confident in saying there are better (and less cumbersome) ways to keep kids safe than simply checking their smartphone.
Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.
It’s normal. It’s natural. Everyone goes through it! And every kid has LOTS of questions. Yet, for many families talking about puberty still feels awkward and embarrassing to mention—leaving kids to sort through confusing information on their own. Often, that’s whatever media and friends throw their way. That doesn’t seem fair or terribly healthy, does it? So, how can we move past any discomfort and learn to embrace the new puberty talks for a media-saturated world?
This week, I got to connect with Rowena Thomas, who is the facilitator of Amazing Me in Sydney, Australia. Rowena provides programs to schools and resources for parents and kids about sex and puberty. I met Rowena through Instagram, where I immediately fell in love with her bright, cheerful, and exuberant posts. Her message is that conversations with our kids about sex can be more fun and less complicated!
Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.
You caught your child watching pornography. You talked about it and have a handle on the situation. But now you are wondering: Should I bring up the subject again? And, if so, how often should I talk to my child about pornography? Will my relationship with my child stay healthy if I go back to the topic too often?
This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you’d like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us.
Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to their children and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.
Whose fight is this? You know us. We are moms—media savvy moms. We’re concerned about kids, family, and relationships. But ours is not the only voice needed. Nor is it the only voice being heard. We stand alongside amazing dads. Dads who have a vision for a world without exploitation. It’s this gentle strength of dads to fight porn that will help change the world.
Love is the antidote to porn. We know this. And it takes both dads and moms to model what real love looks like for kids. Simply, there are things kids learn from dads, and other significant men in their lives, they can’t learn from moms. Most importantly: how men treat women, and how to be a great dad mentor. Moms can teach this. But dads show it.
Josh Gilman joins us on the show this week. He is the director of Strength to Fight, an organization based in Ottawa, Canada fighting for a porn-free community. They get their message out through dynamic presentations in schools, churches and special events. But at the root of it, Josh is in this fight because of his role as a dad. He wants to see a better future for his kids.
Josh Gilman is a speaker, author and the Executive Director of Strength To Fight. His background is a blend of Ministry and Communications. He worked for five years in the radio industry, including spending several years as a News Anchor and Reporter. Josh lives in Ottawa with his wife Megan and their four children, determined to create a different Internet for his kids than the one he grew up with.
Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.
In our crazy digital world, we know it’s not a matter of IF our kids will see porn—it’s a matter of WHEN. But what then? After exposure, will they go back? How do we know if they are struggling with an addiction?
As parents, we just want to keep our kids safe. That’s the goal. But in order to protect our kids from the harms of pornography, we need to understand what we’re dealing with. For instance, what’s the difference between accidental exposure, a habit, and addiction? What qualifies as an “addiction,” and can we really use that word when it comes to children and teens?
Paul Lavergne, a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Sexual Recovery Therapist, is here on the podcast to help us sort through these complicated questions, and give us answers, resources and peace of mind.
Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.
Young or old, our kids need to know: When it comes to my body, I AM IN CHARGE, and there are lines no one can cross without my permission! But how do we get that into their heads?
When we teach our kids about body safety, we’re helping to protect them from a host of dangers—from predators and sharing nudes to unwanted sexual attention and date rape.
But how do we instill this knowledge without scaring them to death?
Think of it this way. Rather than painting a picture of the big scary world and encouraging our kids to cower in a corner, we can put a cape of confidence around them and teach them to trust their powers of self-awareness.
So, let’s talk about WHY, WHEN, and HOW we empower kids and teens with protective information.
Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.
Do you ever get the feeling that society views kids as troublemakers, and parents as the good guys? We need to be careful about stereotypes—and mindful of where we point fingers. A better approach is to consider how to establish a strong foundation that can help kids make great decisions now and in the future.
Yes, part of being a kid is to test the waters, to experiment, and to try new things. As we’ve said before, curiosity is what drives learning. But the truth is, there are tons of great kids out there. And they’re all looking for answers on how to navigate every aspect of life.
They need—and crave!—guidance from parents and mentors who genuinely care about their health and well-being.
Digital devices tend to amplify our fears about teen attitude and risky behavior. No doubt! There are plenty of online dangers to be found. Never mind that the tech itself is inherently addictive. Left to navigate the crazy digital world on their own, will kids be ready?
Our guest, Brett Ullman, author of the book, Parenting: Navigating Everything, explains how you can connect with your kids, establish a strong relational foundation, and give them skills they need to thrive online and off.
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Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.
I hear a lot about human trafficking in the news. Of course I’m concerned. But what do I do about it? Does it really affect me … or my children?
What if your daughter (or son) was being trafficked right under your nose? While she was still living close to home and seeing you several times a week? And you had no idea it was happening? Does this seem unrealistic? In fact, that’s precisely what happened to our guest.
We’re talking with Lynda Harlos, a mother who was caught in a nightmare. Her daughter was being trafficked for sex—without even realizing it. Now Lynda and her daughter, Samantha, are doing everything they can to educate others about this growing crisis.
Human trafficking isn’t something that just happens overseas. It doesn’t just happen to other people. It’s happening right here in our own communities. And it can happen to any family.
Often, when we hear about BIG issues like human trafficking we don’t know where to start or how to respond. What are the signs to look for? Can we protect our kids? Listen to a mom who has gone through it. She’s got the experience and practical advice to help us talk to our children. As parents, we are always the first line of defense. With knowledge we can make a difference.
[1:45] In our society, we learn about stereotypes associated with human trafficking and what it looks like, but those stereotypes are not always true!
[3:30] Did you know it is possible for a child to get into a human trafficking situation without realizing they are being trafficked? Traffickers are patient, sly, and manipulative. The grooming process can be incredibly subtle.
[4:45] Learn how traffickers use traumatic experiences and shame to groom their victims and alienate them from friends and family, then sweep in as the “good guy” to “save” them and make their dreams come true.
[7:44] It’s so important that we are aware of these nasty tricks so that we know how to fight back if our kids are being victimized. Love, love, love. Not shame! Lynda’s family didn’t give up. They kept reaching out to Samantha. They let her know she wasn’t alone. And that’s what eventually saved her.
[8:05] Would you be able to recognize the signs if you were face-to-face with a trafficker? Listen to what Lynda had to say about her interactions with the man who trafficked her daughter.
[10:33] Where is Samantha now? Learn how Lynda’s resilient daughter has moved on with her life after this tragedy and made it her mission to help educate others so that it doesn’t happen to them.
[11:27] We wondered how Samantha escaped from her trafficker. But her mother told us that she really didn’t even realize she was being trafficked until several years after she got away. In her mind, she had just “dropped her morals” and she always believed it was her fault. Think about that for a minute. And consider what that means. If we are trying to help someone who is being trafficked, they might not even realize they need help.
[12:45] Our relationships with our kids can be a lifeline. Sometimes just a few words from a parent can change a child’s life. Find out how a small moment with Samantha’s father changed her direction in the midst of her journey with human trafficking.
[14:50] Listen for great tips to help parents protect kids from human trafficking! Here are a few:
[19:00] Do you know the warning signs of an abusive relationship? And when does abuse become trafficking? We need to teach our children to watch out for these signs.
[20:05] Be aware that victims of trafficking have been coerced, manipulated, and programmed with a lot of fear. They’ve been brainwashed to distrust those who truly love them. It can take a great deal of patience to break through to them and get them to talk. But … it’s a lot more likely they will return to family if there was a strong relationship to begin with. Start by establishing open communication right now!
[21:55] There are a growing number of resources available to help victims of human trafficking. Many kids in trouble aren’t ready to go to family. But we can still help them find the resources they need. Our job is to create a safety net in any way we can. Some kids feel better talking to a complete stranger. The main goal is to get the kids at risk the help they need. (See our Links and Resources below.)
Tell your children you love them. But don’t just say “I love you.” Make sure they know that you love them unconditionally. Tell them “I love you—no matter what!”
Parents Aware is a forum for sharing concerns, ideas and successes. We hope that you can continue to look to us for support. Discover how you can contribute to this community and its cause. It’s easy:
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Lynda Harlos is a mother of four and certified family coach. What really gets her feet on the floor every morning is her website, Parent With Purpose, and helping families. Lynda does a talk show and vlogs on all aspects of parenting, which are available on her website and YouTube channel. She is also author of the book, I Was The Perfect Parent...then I had kids: Experience Parenting with greater victory and less guilt.
Human Trafficking: A Personal Story - Lynda’s daughter, Samantha, shares her experience in her own words; debunking myths about human trafficking, and resources for our audience in Canada
Shared Hope International (website)
The Samaritan Women & Institute for Shelter Care (website)
National Human Trafficking Hotline (US): Call 1-888-373-7888 ( TTY: 711)|Text 233733
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline (CAN): Call 1-833-900-1010.
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