Connected Parenting

How do we raise boys who are emotionally strong, empathetic, and accountable for their actions? In this episode of Connected Parenting, Jennifer explores why raising emotionally healthy boys goes beyond teaching good behaviour. From family expectations and peer influences to cultural messages about masculinity, boys are constantly learning which emotions are acceptable to express and which ones should be hidden. Jennifer explains why helping boys recognize and name feelings like sadness, fear,

What if the challenging behavior you're seeing isn't really the problem, but a sign of what's happening underneath? In this week's guest episode of Connected Parenting, Jennifer sits down with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a therapist, certified school psychologist, author, podcast host, and Mom who has spent more than 30 years working with children and families. Together, they explore dysregulation, the nervous system, and why understanding what's driving a child's behavior can completely change

When a child has a major meltdown in public, it can feel like suddenly everyone around you has an opinion about your parenting. Inspired by a recent story about a child whose behaviour reportedly caused a plane to turn around, Jennifer explores why it's impossible to understand what is happening with a child or family from a few difficult moments. Autism, ADHD, sensory challenges, anxiety, fear, trauma, exhaustion, or simply an exceptionally hard day can all influence how a child responds when

As parents, we often act as a substitute frontal lobe for our children while their own executive functioning skills are still developing. We help them regulate emotions, remember what they need, organize themselves, solve problems, and make decisions. But sometimes, without realizing it, we can cross the line from guiding our children to doing too much of the thinking and problem-solving for them. In this episode of Connected Parenting, Jennifer explores the important difference between healthy

When one child in the family requires a lot of attention because of big emotions, tantrums, challenging behaviour, or constant pushback, it can quietly affect everyone else in the home. In this episode of "Connected Parenting", Jennifer turns the focus to the child who is often described as the “good child”. The one who rarely complains, follows the rules, stays out of trouble, and seems to make parenting easy. Jennifer explores how these children may learn to become extra independent, agreeabl

Moving from the freedom and flexibility of summer into the back-to-school early mornings, structured routines, school expectations, and busy schedules can be a significant adjustment for the whole family. In this episode of "Connected Parenting", Jennifer explores how parents can help make the transition back to school feel smoother and less overwhelming. She shares ways to prepare children for the changes ahead, create more predictability and routine, and support the emotions that can come wit