The new school season is here again, and whether you have little kids heading to elementary school, older kids, high schoolers, or you have a college-bound student preparing for higher education or a college graduate, this time of year brings excitement, but it can also be a stressful time for parents and children alike.
Reflecting on a new school year and the changes during this period, I thought it was a great time to share some pearls of wisdom I've acquired from some of my recent podcast listens. These episodes have resonated with me deeply, reminding me that although often daunting, change brings immense opportunities for learning and connection.
My ultimate goal for this blog is that podcast listeners like yourself can find great advice, ease their anxieties, and have a little bit of fun relating to other parents in this season of change.
Apple Podcasts Worth Tuning Into for Parents
Mel Robbins is a former lawyer, a motivational speaker, the author of two books that have benefitted my mental health: The High 5 Habit and The 5 Second Rule, and a podcast host of The Mel Robbins Podcast.
The Mel Robbins Podcast is part of my routine for a good morning. I love to listen to her podcast while I work out because it puts me in a good mood and is inspiring and motivating. She covers many different things, but the topics are always relatable and helpful for daily life as she is honest and genuine about her major challenges and setbacks. One of her latest episodes hit home for me, and I could relate it to my experiences with significant life changes and the mixed feelings we get around school time beginning each fall.
Rachel Hollis is an author, motivational speaker, and podcast host. She is the author of two self-help books I thoroughly enjoyed reading: Girl, Wash Your Face, and Girl, Stop Apologizing. I recently enjoyed her podcast about advice for parents during back-to-school and thought it was worth sharing with other mammas out there. She talks about how she eases her morning routines, how she picks her battles with strong-minded children, asks for help, and discusses other topics around parenting and heading back to school.
Dr. Becky Kennedy is a best-selling author of Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be, a clinical psychologist, the host of a weekly podcast, and a mom. She has a vast social media following, and for good reason: she shares a wide range of topics around parenting tips. I found one of her new episodes, titled Back to School Anxiety, helpful for a parent like myself, who is about to enter uncharted territories as I send my daughter to a new school this fall. It was comforting and relatable for the uncertain times ahead as she talked to a parent about navigating her daughter's fear of riding the school bus.
**Additional educational resources offered by Dr. Becky Kennedy for parents:
The Good Inside Membership: Membership includes workshops on every major issue you can think of as a parent, strategies, and scripts for different situations, a community for parents to connect on social media, and live events with special guests and experts.
Workshops: On topics such as potty training, managing meltdowns and different behaviors, and other significant issues for parents.
The Back to School Bundle: includes a back-to-school workshop for parents, a 10-day checklist, and a fall parenting playbook.
Podcasts Your Child Might Enjoy
Podcasts can be enjoyable and beneficial for young people as well. Listening to podcasts while on the go or in their free time can boost language development, comprehension, critical thinking, and vocabulary and expose them to the world/current affairs.
Common Sense Media reveals some of the best podcasts for kids under their category of Fun Podcasts for Curious Kids:
*Noodle Loaf is a music education podcast for kids but a good one to get all family members involved while on the go. It's inclusive, playful, and fun. It's both educational and a blast. A great way to pass the time on road trips!
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids Is another educational yet fun podcast. Kid listeners write or call in with questions; each podcast addresses them. They cover various topics, from current events and climate change to random questions like Why do pigs oink? To who invented noodles?
*Newsy Pooloozi is a great podcast that covers international news in a family-friendly and fun way.
Two out of three of these podcasts (labeled with the asterisks) were awarded Common Sense Selections on the Common Sense Media Website. Their website states that these podcasts are "Common Sense recognizes outstanding entertainment with an official seal for quality and impact. Common Sense Selections include age-appropriate media with the potential to spark family conversations, entertain families of all kinds, and have a positive, lasting effect on society."
Conclusion
Back-to-school brings about more issues for parents than just what school supplies are needed and back-to-school shopping. By listening to these podcasts, not only are you accessing advice and insights, but you are tapping into a community that understands the host of emotions surrounding this transitional time for families. From the refreshing wisdom of Mel Robbins to the practical guidance of Rachel Hollis and the empathetic discussions led by Dr. Becky Kennedy, these hosts are like friends guiding us through the intricate dance of parenting and growth.
And remember, you are not alone in your journey. Let's navigate this new school year with open minds and hearts and share a mutual commitment to growth. Podcasts are a great way to ease our anxieties and find moments of joy, connection, and the reassurance of parents that we're all working towards the same goal: nurturing our children's educational and emotional development in the best way possible.
About the Author
Janay Neufeld is an online reading specialist and confidence coach for kids. Her unique approach can help children worldwide increase their confidence and reading skills with positive mindset training, helping them reach their full potential!
She has ten years of experience helping children feel like skilled, confident readers. She has her multiple-subject teaching credential, Orton Gillingham trained through the Institute for Multisensory Education, and she has a Master of Arts in Education. She is also certified as a life coach for kids through Adventures in Wisdom.
Does your child need help with reading and or have a hard time with maintaining a positive mindset? You can click either button below to sign up for a FREE Reading Assessment, or if your child could benefit from confidence coaching through positive mindset work, click the second button to book a Free Discovery Call today!