Parent to Parent

We are excited to welcome our friend and colleague Kathy Collier to the podcast to share with us what is happening in Chester County regarding opioid and fentanyl use–both intentional and accidental use. We discussed what opioids are, how the overdose epidemic is still happening, and how the drug landscape is MUCH different than when we were teens. Kathy also explained how to talk to your kids about opioids, fentanyl, and xylazine, and how it is showing up in other substances that are NOT opioids. This conversation was empowering in providing ways to stay safe and realistic–and the golden rule: no pills and powders and nothing that isn’t yours! Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Kathy works for the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services. We talked about Narcan and how it is available through the county. Chester County Information and Resource Line 1-866-286-3767 24/7 PA get help now 1-800-662-HELP Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw LinkedIn: Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes! Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Learn where to get help this coming school year. -- "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” (Gotta love Mr. Rogers!) Today we are speaking with two of Downingtown Area School District’s (DASD) biggest helpers, Sarah Brooks, Lead Student Assistance Specialist, and Mary Wallin, K-12 Department Leader for School Counselors. Sarah and Mary are sharing with us the roles of Prevention Specialists and School Counselors, as well as other district staff they may work with to support a student and family. We learn the trends they are seeing in school right now, both positives and challenges and how to access local resources. Sarah and Mary also give us the steps on how to handle common struggles including: how to help your child who may be ok in school but is emotionally and behaviorally different at home, what to do if your child doesn’t want to attend school, and how to work with the school team if your child will be missing school for a prolonged period of time. This conversation truly shows the team approach taken at DASD and how parents can best communicate with their school-based supports. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Counseling Staff at DASD Prevention Specialist Staff at DASD Behavior Specialists at DASD Mental Health Services at DASD Psychology Today has a search tool to find providers near you that do and do not take insurance. CTC is launching Parent to Parent Peer Support Groups to provide a safe space for parents to get advice and support from other parents. Learn more about these groups and when they meet! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Well you drank in high school, right? You smoked weed before, right? These questions are bound to come to you from your kids at some point, and what IS the best way to answer these? We are so happy to welcome back Beth Bruton from Holcomb Prevention to share with us ways to answer these questions honestly without “do as I say, not as I did” vibes. Beth shares how she had this conversation with her own kids and their reactions, plus Chrissie and Bethann share a funny story about the learning opportunities that abound in a tailgating parking lot. We also discuss balancing having the expectation of not using substances while also being a safe person for your child to call when they need help or if they do choose to use. Lastly, Beth shares her list of best tips from years of working in the prevention field. This is a very honest and relatable conversation with lots of laughs, join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: We have a great episode with Beth answering the question “Do all kids drink in high school?” Beth and Chrissie were on a panel for a Power of Parents webinar event. Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw LinkedIn: Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

What if there was a place you can go to and talk about your parenting challenges and have other parents to nod along, give advice, and also have a seasoned professional there too to give expert guidance? Would you go? Well it DOES exist and it is CTC’s monthly (FREE) Parent to Parent Building Connections groups. Today we are speaking with 4 Downingtown parents who are regular participants and they are sharing the impact these group meetings have had on their parenting and overall well being. They share about the magic of Carol (the expert facilitator), that no issue is too big or too small, and the benefits of hearing from other parents who are ahead of you. We also discuss top strategies learned, key phrases to use to problem solve with your kids, red flags to notice, and the community and friendships that have been built through these groups. This conversation is so uplifting and relatable and shows the positive impact of belonging to a community. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: We talked about the parent group facilitator Carol Rothera and our podcast episode with her. Chrissie mentioned the podcast Kelly Corrigan Wonders and the episode with Jen Hatmaker Use your BUTT: Breath, Understand, Think, Talk Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw LinkedIn: Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Did you know most parents ALREADY have all the skills to parent their kids and teach them life skills? Dr. Don McCown, PhD, MSS, LSW, sits down with Bethann and Chrissie to share about his new (FREE!) online parenting program, Learning Life Skills Together. Don shares that all parents have four key skills that can support children to learn emotional life skills–paying attention, regulating emotion, tolerating distress, and clearly communicating–we just may need to practice these skills to build them up. They also discuss how a child’s resilience is based on the resiliency of their parents and how honing these skills is helpful to move through the world with more ease. Lastly, Don shares how awe and beauty, making things and belonging are invaluable to health and wellness. Also listen to learn Don’s 20 minute rule–join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Don’s Online Program Learning Life Skills Together is FREE and available now to start using! Chrissie mentioned the book Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace Bethann mentioned the CDC’s report on the loneliness epidemic and the impact on health Don shares the national mental health crisis resource 988–it is free and 24/7 support–just dial 988 on your phone. CTC’s 3rd Annual Snowball Shuffle 5K Run/1 Mile Walk is Sat. March 2nd at Eagleview Town Center. Join us and bring the whole family! Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Today we are learning how to find joy in the chaos, including refilling our EXTRA–which our guest Rosey Celommi will explain what this EXTRA is and how we all need to care for it. Rosey is an educator of over 25 years and she previously taught and worked in Chester County. In the past few years Rosey has been on a mission to help educators care for themselves to deal with and prevent burnout. Just about all of these principles apply to parents too! Rosey shares ways to figure out what brings you joy and how to nurture it, how to integrate a mindfulness and gratitude practice into your day, and how to create joy in the chaos of our busy lives. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Chrissie mentioned a previous blog post Rosey mentioned Jon Kabat-Zinn as a leader of mindfulness and the developer of mindfulness based stress reduction You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Well you drank in high school, right? You smoked weed before, right? These questions are bound to come to you from your kids at some point, and what IS the best way to answer these? We are so happy to welcome back Beth Bruton from Holcomb Prevention to share with us ways to answer these questions honestly without “do as I say, not as I did” vibes. Beth shares how she had this conversation with her own kids and their reactions, plus Chrissie and Bethann share a funny story about the learning opportunities that abound in a tailgating parking lot. We also discuss balancing having the expectation of not using substances while also being a safe person for your child to call when they need help or if they do choose to use. Lastly, Beth shares her list of best tips from years of working in the prevention field. This is a very honest and relatable conversation with lots of laughs, join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: We have a great episode with Beth answering the question “Do all kids drink in high school?” Beth and Chrissie were on a panel for a Power of Parents webinar event. Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw LinkedIn: Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Carol is BACK and she is sharing her wisdom with us yet again! Today we are talking about Red Flags–behaviors or other things you may notice in your child–and when to act. Carol shares the importance of waiting in some instances when you notice red flags so kids can first combat these challenges independently–and the value of this. We also discuss what to do at times when you need to step in, and how to tell the difference between concerning mood changes and those that may be normal tween and teen moodiness. Lastly we discuss how to “be an investigator” to figure out what these red flags are pointing to and Carol shares real life examples from parents and how things played out. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Chrissie mentioned the podcast episode with DASD parents from the Parent Groups. Carol mentioned our podcast episode with her. WAIT: Why Am I Talking BUTT: Breath, Understand, Think, Talk Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw LinkedIn: Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

What if there was a place you can go to and talk about your parenting challenges and have other parents to nod along, give advice, and also have a seasoned professional there too to give expert guidance? Would you go? Well it DOES exist and it is CTC’s monthly (FREE) Parent to Parent Building Connections groups. Today we are speaking with 4 Downingtown parents who are regular participants and they are sharing the impact these group meetings have had on their parenting and overall well being. They share about the magic of Carol (the expert facilitator), that no issue is too big or too small, and the benefits of hearing from other parents who are ahead of you. We also discuss top strategies learned, key phrases to use to problem solve with your kids, red flags to notice, and the community and friendships that have been built through these groups. This conversation is so uplifting and relatable and shows the positive impact of belonging to a community. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: We talked about the parent group facilitator Carol Rothera and our podcast episode with her. Chrissie mentioned the podcast Kelly Corrigan Wonders and the episode with Jen Hatmaker Use your BUTT: Breath, Understand, Think, Talk Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw LinkedIn: Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

How can “soft skills” result in drug-free kids? Today we are speaking with Shannon DiCandilo from Compass Mark to talk about how social emotional learning skills are key to emotional health, academic success, and delaying and preventing underage drug and alcohol use. Shannon shares how these skills play out in real life for kids, current trends on what substances youth are using–AND how they are getting it. We also discuss the link between mental health challenges and substance use, the vaping prevention program Catch My Breath, and also what is “stealth vaping”?! Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: We had two episodes with Selena from Caron about vaping: part one and part two. Jessica Lahey does instagram reels with information from her books. Xyalzine and fentanyl leading to increased drug overdoses. Compass Mark uses a public health approach to prevent substance misuse and problem gambling across Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester Counties, PA. We are expert guides on any journey to master new social & emotional skills and to lower risk factors for addiction. Shannon shared specifically about their program Catch My Breath for vaping and nicotine use prevention. Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeok9Z1R_xkbYmMFlcXjOZw LinkedIn: Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Did you know most parents ALREADY have all the skills to parent their kids and teach them life skills? Dr. Don McCown, PhD, MSS, LSW, sits down with Bethann and Chrissie to share about his new (FREE!) online parenting program, Learning Life Skills Together. Don shares that all parents have four key skills that can support children to learn emotional life skills–paying attention, regulating emotion, tolerating distress, and clearly communicating–we just may need to practice these skills to build them up. They also discuss how a child’s resilience is based on the resiliency of their parents and how honing these skills is helpful to move through the world with more ease. Lastly, Don shares how awe and beauty, making things and belonging are invaluable to health and wellness. Also listen to learn Don’s 20 minute rule–join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Don’s Online Program Learning Life Skills Together is FREE and available now to start using! Chrissie mentioned the book Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace Bethann mentioned the CDC’s report on the loneliness epidemic and the impact on health Don shares the national mental health crisis resource 988–it is free and 24/7 support–just dial 988 on your phone. CTC’s 3rd Annual Snowball Shuffle 5K Run/1 Mile Walk is Sat. March 2nd at Eagleview Town Center. Join us and bring the whole family! Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

SHOW NOTES Does your kid say they hate school? This phrase usually appears at some point whether it be an overall dislike or a tough subject or assignment. Today we have Carol Rothera, LPC, with us to discuss what are the underlying causes of your child hating school. Carol shares how we as parents can be curious to figure out what is really going on and how to support kids to problem solve and overcome challenges. We discuss how to deal with avoidance as a coping strategy, setting expectations and family values around school, and managing low frustration tolerance. Carol has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: The DASD Pennsylvania Youth Survey Data has info about commitment to school on page 42 Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Happy holidays from Bethann and Chrissie! We wish you a safe and healthy holiday season and happy new year and we will talk with you in 2024! In the meantime we have 40 (!) episodes in our catalog you can go back and listen to while you shop, wrap gifts, cook, clean and do all the holiday things. Thanks for being with us this year! Register for our January 24th, 2023 webinar with Family Tech–”Digital Parenting”. Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

So what ever happened with Chrissie’s tech reckoning following her and Bethann’s interview with Family Tech at the end of the summer? You can find out today! Bethann is “interviewing” Chrissie about what has changed in her household with tech usage since doing an end of summer reset. Chrissie shares what devices have changed for her kids, different tools that are now being used (and working pretty well!), how the tech reset went and led to device-free weekdays, and also how it is still a constant push and pull managing tech use–for everyone, parents included. Just like everything else this is a cycle that never really ends. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Listen first to the episode with Sarah Kimmel from Family Tech where Chrissie talks about her tech fails. The audiobook series Chrissie’s kids loved and listened to in the car was called The Penderwicks. Chrissie talked about Discord–here is a video from Family Tech explaining the Discord app. Chrissie and Bethann took a social media break after Aria did and told us about it on the pod! Register for our January 24th, 2023 webinar with Family Tech–”Digital Parenting”. Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Sports are a surefire way to keep kids out of trouble and less likely to use substances, right? Well, we learned the answer is yes… and sometimes also no. What makes students great athletes also places them at greater risk of substance use. We are so happy to welcome Tina George from Caron Treatment Centers to talk with us about student athletes and how participation in sports (and other high achievement focused activities) can be both a protective AND risk factor. Tina shares what substances students are most likely to use, including caffeine and supplements, and the impact it can have on performance. She also gives guidance on how to tackle (pun intended) a “work hard, play hard” and “look the other way” team or coaching culture to keep your kid safe. We also discuss what parents CAN do to support their athlete to be well as they balance not only their sport, but also school and just being a kid growing up. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Tina was featured presenting this topic in our Oct. 2023 Parent Speaker Series Webinar–watch here. Tina advised to look for a seal from NSF Certified for Sports to make sure anything your child is taking is safe. You can reach Tina at tgeorge@caron.org and learn more about Caron and their education programs and resources. Tina also has a podcast “Conversations that Matter” discussing behavioral health strategies for building resilience. Parent to Parent: Building Connections Groups are meeting monthly! Join parents with similar-aged students and a trained facilitator to discover techniques, tips, and tricks to tackle common challenges and strengthen connections. Most importantly we’ll interact with other parents who are in the same stage or who have been there and can offer advice. Bring a friend and join the conversation! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

As parents we can’t help but want better for our kids and wonder, “How can I make this path different for them?” Today we are speaking with Dan Brady, CTC Board President and Downingtown parent of three. Dan shares with us why prevention work is so important and how these are the things we need to do when we feel good and before we feel the need to “panic parent”. Dan and Chrissie discuss their own experience with alcohol use, how there is a lot of gray area in substance use disorder, and how our own use and family history influences how we parent. Lastly we talk about how important positive points of contact with youth and parents are to better our community. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: We mentioned our podcast episode with Cynthia We reference the PAYS alcohol statistics and norms students reported Chrissie wrote a blog post about quitting drinking alcohol We talked about how early kids use alcohol. 1 in 3 kids have tried alcohol by age 8, and 2 in 3 by age 12. You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Tech management has become a role that all parents have had to take on these days with phones, tablets, ipads, chromebooks and more. It is the number one topic that parents share they want help and support with and we are lucky to speak with expert Sarah Kimmel, founder and owner of Family Tech. Our goal for this conversation was to learn about parental controls and the best way to introduce technology… and unintentionally became a coaching session for Chrissie as the tech use in her family got away from her this past summer. We discuss all of Chrissie’s tech fails and how to get back on track–Roblox and PCs and Discord, oh my! Sarah also shares how to set limits around screen time, the magic of turning off the internet (and how to do it so YOU still have internet), and a sensible order to introduce tech devices to your kids leading up to their own phone in the end. Sarah’s outlook on how to invite tech into your home and manage it with your kids is balanced and approachable–and Chrissie vows to do everything she says. Join us! PS–There will be an episode coming up where Chrissie shares what happened when she followed Sarah’s advice and reeled in the tech use in her house with her kids. Keep an eye out for this episode coming soon! Things we mentioned in this episode: Sarah spoke with author Kristen Jenson about how to talk to your kids about pornography They discussed that most kids will be exposed to porn online and recommends Kristen’s book Good Pictures, Bad Pictures to help prepare your kids for images that may come up Tech contract is available from Sarah if you sign up for her newsletter–it is on the right side of screen Sarah Kimmel is a family tech expert and digital parenting coach and is the founder of Family Tech, LLC, a company to help families understand and manage the technology and devices in their homes. Family Tech includes a blog, podcast, in-home tech support and live classes or events. Her YouTube videos are super helpful too! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

Today we are learning how to find joy in the chaos, including refilling our EXTRA–which our guest Rosey Celommi will explain what this EXTRA is and how we all need to care for it. Rosey is an educator of over 25 years and she previously taught and worked in Chester County. In the past few years Rosey has been on a mission to help educators care for themselves to deal with and prevent burnout. Just about all of these principles apply to parents too! Rosey shares ways to figure out what brings you joy and how to nurture it, how to integrate a mindfulness and gratitude practice into your day, and how to create joy in the chaos of our busy lives. Join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Chrissie mentioned a previous blog post Rosey mentioned Jon Kabat-Zinn as a leader of mindfulness and the developer of mindfulness based stress reduction You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

We are at the point of the summer when we may have hit screen overload. Listen for tips to find balance! -- How does technology affect kids' behavior and developing brains? Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel from Reboot and Recover returns to talk about her research on how persuasive technology is impacting kids' language, beliefs, and attitudes. She explains how social media and games are using tactics to tap into kids' innate human hardwiring to make this tech so compelling. She also discusses the impact of artificial intelligence and how it is shaping our kids' beliefs around why we use the internet, including creating a need for external validation and the risk of being exposed to online toxicity. Dr. Diez-Morel shares strategies parents can use to support their kids to consume more nourishing content online and explains using the 4 C’s when choosing content and games. This conversation also includes some venting from Chrissie on the stress and exhaustion of managing all the tech! Lots of great tips shared, join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: Our first Episode with Dr. Diez-Morel about tech and screens Create a Family Media Plan for your family’s tech use. Dr. Diez-Morel talked about the passage of the CAMRA Act to fund research of tech’s impact on children's health and development. Dr. Diez-Morel’s 4 C’s: Connection, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Context Check out other resources listed on Reboot and Recover’s Resource Page. Reboot and Recover’s mission is to provide solutions for balanced living in a technology driven world. We offer therapy for individuals, couples, and families struggling with any issues related to technology overuse and addiction. The treatment is provided by licensed and practicing professionals in a confidential and caring capacity. Follow Reboot and Recover on: Facebook @rebootandrecover Instagram @rebootandrecover Twitter @RebootRecover CTC has Parent to Parent Peer Support Groups to provide a safe space for parents to get advice and support from other parents. Learn more about these groups and when they meet! You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.

This relatable conversation is one for parents with kids of all ages. -- Do all kids drink alcohol before they graduate high school? Is this a thing? Today we are breaking down the youth and parent perceptions and norms around underage drinking with Beth Bruton from Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems. We discuss all the surrounding variables that influence youth’s perception of alcohol including social media, peer influence, and family modeling. We also talk about how although some parents may serve alcohol to their kids with best intentions of teaching them to be responsible, studies show that kids that are given alcohol at home underage are more likely to drink more often and larger amounts–but most parents don’t know this–we don’t know what we don’t know. Beth gave great tips on ways to talk to your kids about underage drinking and how to set up strategies to give your kids an out if they are in a risky situation. She also provided ways to talk to other parents that may or may not know the risks of underage drinking and how to share this information. We loved this conversation with Beth and hope you will join us! Things we mentioned in this episode: We referenced data from the PAYS 2021 Report CTC PAYS Data on Alcohol Infographic We mentioned a previous episode with Carl Gregory explaining the importance of unconditional love We mentioned a previous episode with Corporal Gathercole from Upper Uwchlan Police Dept. Chrissie mentioned Jessica Lahey and her Instagram Reels series with main points from her book The Addiction Inoculation Holcomb has implemented MADD’s Power of Parents initiative which has many great resources for parents to talk to their kids about underage drinking Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems is a leader in providing services and supports for people with mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities. The Chester County Holcomb Prevention department is located at the Holcomb corporate office in Exton, PA. Beth Bruton is the Prevention Manager and you can email her with any questions or comments at elizabeth.bruton@chimes.org CTC is launching Parent to Parent Peer Support Groups to provide a safe space for parents to get advice and support from other parents. Learn more about these groups and when they meet! Join us at our Second Annual Snowball Shuffle 5k Run/1 Mile Walk on March 4th at Eagleview Town Center at 9am. You can now follow Chrissie on Instagram @ctc_chrissie or on Facebook /@Chrissie.CTC for info from each episode, Parent to Parent blog updates, and other parent resources. You can also email Chrissie at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org We would love to hear from you! Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support!: Instagram @downingtownctc Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC Twitter @DowningtownCTC YouTube LinkedIn Be sure to Subscribe/Follow us to get new episodes every other Tuesday. Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE.