Just One Thing for Parents with Dr Bettina Hohnen – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to our second "Must-Hear Moments" episode, featuring highlights from four of our earliest interviews with teenage development experts. In this compilation, we dive deep into understanding teenage behavior, exploring their intense emotions and shifting identities as they navigate the path to adulthood. Our experts shed light on fascinating research that explains why teens act the way they do, offering valuable insights into their world.

You'll get practical advice on what to say (and what to avoid) during those crucial interactions with your teenager. With the UK summer holidays in full swing, many parents are spending extended time with their teens. This episode is perfect for a quick listen during a short walk, especially if you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed. 

Welcome to this special episode highlighting key insights from four of our earliest interviews with child development experts. We'll revisit valuable tips on supporting children who are struggling, covering topics like anxiety, trauma, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, these must-hear moments offer practical advice for parents, especially timely for those navigating challenges during the summer holidays. Join me as we explore essential strategies to help our children thrive through difficulties.

I have been excited about this episode as I interviewed the incredible and inspiring Hilary Kennedy who developed Video Interactive Guidance (VIG) which has such a strong evidence base for making change.

She talks us through some transformative and often counterintuitive strategies for building stronger relationships with our kids. Learn about the "serve, catch, return" approach from video interaction guidance (VIG) and discover how doing less and having more fun can lead to deeper connections. Hilary introduces the "love, play, work" framework, and explains the "take five" concept for more meaningful conversations.

Whether you're a parent of a newborn, a teenager, or anywhere in between, this episode has something for everyone.

In today's episode, we dive deep into the hidden scripts that shape our parenting journey with behaviour expert Andy Baker.

In it you will discover how seemingly harmless phrases like "children shouldn't argue" or "eat your peas, there are starving children" can actually be detrimental to our kids' development and self-esteem. Andy sheds light on these generational "should" and "shouldn't" scripts that not only affect our children but also impose unrealistic expectations on us as parents.

Andy offers practical strategies to break free from unhelpful scripts and shift towards more nuanced and reflective parenting approaches. Whether you've caught yourself repeating phrases from your own childhood or struggle with parental guilt, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice that will transform the way you think about family communication and nurture healthier relationships with your children.

As if parents and teachers didn't have enough to worry about before, now they have to get their heads round AI in education. In this podcast episode, I chatted with Claire Badger, an experienced teacher and head of teacher professional development at InnerDrive. Claire breaks down the complex world of AI in learning, outlining the key issues and highlighting some fascinating research that has been done to look at children, homework and AI. We talk about why banning AI in schools isn't practical, how AI can help (or hinder) with homework, and whether it's useful as a bespoke tutor.

Claire offers down-to-earth advice for parents and teachers on how to use AI wisely, encourage real learning, and keep the lines of communication open. While there's a risk that AI could limit children's learning if used improperly, it also has the potential to enhance skills development for kids from all backgrounds when applied wisely.

In this enlightening podcast episode, Clinical Psychologist and family therapist Manuela Sapochnik shares her insights on enhancing parenting through couples therapy, drawing from two decades of experience. She explores how attachment patterns shape relationships and how misaligned behaviors can create tension between partners.

Manuela explains that this tension often spills over into parenting, but can be addressed through increased awareness and intentional change in interaction patterns. As couples work together to improve their relationship, they naturally begin to interact differently with others, including their children. 

This shift can lead to profound changes in family dynamics. By developing more adaptive ways of managing relationship challenges, parents can model and instill secure attachment patterns in their children.

Remarkably, Manuela notes that as couples engage in this work, they often see improvements in their children's behavior before even addressing specific parenting issues.

Please tune in for a deeper understanding of this transformative approach.

When your child tells you they think they have a mental health problem parents can feel frozen. How should they respond and what action should they take?

I was joined by Rachel Acheson, a psychotherapist with years of experience in adolescent mental health services and schools to discuss this issue. Rachel offers clear, balanced advice on this potentially daunting situation, breaking down what parents can do, what to say, when it might be time to seek professional help, and what kinds of support are available.

From the importance of staying calm and validating your child's feelings, to knowing the signs that professional support might be needed, Rachel covers it all. Whether you're currently facing this situation or want to be prepared for the future, please have a listen to my interview with Rachel.

In this episode of Just One Thing For Parents, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Jon Goldin discusses the crucial role of boundaries in children's development. He emphasizes that consistent, predictable boundaries provide psychological safety and promote secure attachment. Jon likens teenage boundaries to flexible rubber tires, allowing some give while maintaining stability.

The conversation covers challenges parents face in setting boundaries, including generational changes and social media influences. Jon and Bettina stress the importance of parental unity in boundary-setting, even in separated families. They explore the balance between kindness and strictness, the significance of emotional boundaries, and practical advice on issues like social media use and sleep routines. Please have a listen.

This is a really important and often tricky topic for parents.